Yes, I know I said I’d finished writing this blog for the year, but someone sent me something that has compelled me to write one more rant.
Besides, I’m in advertising … so you shouldn’t expect us to be honest.
Ahem.
Anyway, I honestly don’t know if you will consider this a Christmas gift or horror, but you will always remember it … of that, I am absolutely sure.
So remember ages ago I said that the Gerard Butler manifesto for Hugo Boss was one of the worst things ever written?
Well, it still is … but this is definitely pushing it for first place.
The only reason Gerard wins, is because I think – or should I say, I hope – the people behind this are trying to take the piss.
I must admit, I have a niggling feeling that might not be the case – I worry, they were inspired by Gerard rather than want to ridicule it – but it’s Christmas and so I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt … especially because their website features a video where they definitely have a twinkle in the eye about what they’re doing.
However, if this was written in January, there’s no way I’d be so gracious and I’d be having a aneurysm explaining why this sort of thing represents the the worst of advertising … contrived self importance mixed with a large dollop of contrived shock value.
Or said another way … the strategy that got Donald Trump elected.
Seriously, there are so many other ways they could have done this.
So many ways they could have made it fun and less cringeworthy.
But no, they decided to follow the same path as that aftershave that supposedly smells of a sweaty vagina.
A path that says as much about the people behind the brand as those who will embrace it.
Anyway, have a look at what the hell I’m talking about.
It is most definitely NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK … but you have to see it.
Then try and enjoy your Christmas, wherever you are.
Or just go back to what was supposed to be my last post and pretend this never happened.