This is one of those ads that is constantly referred to as being a perfect example of perfect advertising.
David Ogilvy was behind it – spending 3 weeks doing nothing but reading about the car – before producing that amazing headline.
OK, so there is some conjecture whether he came up with it or not, but regardless, it’s one hell of a headline.
But here’s the thing, when you read the rest of the ad, I’m not sure if its worthy of all the accolades bestowed upon it.
Sure it comes from a different time [as the $13,995 price tag highlights] … and yes, some of the ‘features’ they mention were probably cutting edge back then [power steering for example] … but after you get past that epic headline, what you actually have is an ad that is just a list of product features.
While there are still nods to the sense of craftsmanship and technology within that list – for example, you can have a telephone as an optional extra – I can’t help but feel that all the romance the headline conjures up in your mind disappears once you get to the details.
Maybe that’s because it appears the strategy was not actually to communicate the sophistication and craftsmanship of the car, but to change the perception of it being only for the super-elite … the one’s who are chauffeured around rather than drive themselves.
Hey, I could be wrong, but the fact they use that hilarious image of a ‘Dad’ picking up the kids from the local shop after school – not to mention they state in the copy that you don’t need a chauffeur to drive it – means I might have a point.
Now I get I have no right to criticise the wonderful Mr Ogilvy and the fact this ad is continually referred to implies it was hugely successful … but when I was reminded what the actual ad looked like – rather than just hearing that headline – I couldn’t help feeing that I find this scam ad for Bentley far more appealing.
[Though I accept that just might be my Nottingham heritage shining through]
