Mr. T tells the UK to get some nuts (live from #SES London)
Published February 17th, 2010 | 4 Comments
By the time you folks read this, I will be fresh off my panel on “Digital Asset Optimization” at SES London. I wrote this before walking over to the Design Center this morning, but let’s just say I was amazing and we, but mostly you, all learned a valuable lesson from my speech. Remember that time that dude said that thing about SEO? I know, right? Crazy…
Anyway, back to poking fun at ads in the UK, which is actually a little harder than in the US because they generally do create much better ads in the states and they’re not nearly so uptight about things like sex or whatnot. I’m always amazed at how loose people from London actually are compared to the stereotypes about them we have thrust upon us in the States. Usually, we have this picture of these uptight, pain the ass kind of characters, but if you actually come over here, you know these people know how to party. I mean, just look at all the bars and pubs over here, that should be your first clue. Plus, the food isn’t anywhere near as bad as people paint it to be and I don’t care what folks say, the chicks are actually quite easy on the eye.
Here’s a good example in this ad from Snickers featuring Mr. T.
Now, someone told me that they did try to show this in the US, but they pulled it because it was too violent (it really isn’t at all) and because of the whole “nuts” thing. It must have been on some channels that I never watch, because I haven’t even heard anyone really discuss this ad back home.
This is actually part of a series of ads aimed directly at the male market. They even get a special, all Mr. T micro site that shows clips of guys working out at this crazy gym that uses old cars and such as weights. It’s a little over the top and the humor runs thin pretty quick, but I have to give them credit in at least trying to do an online tie in.
The campaign itself has it’s own Get Some Nuts YouTube channel, but the main commercials aren’t available there, just a bunch of interviews with Mr. T and some other goofiness that isn’t worth watching unless you’re 13 or just think like a 13 year old.
Here’s another one featuring a soccer player getting hurt on the field:
There’s spot with a speed walker that isn’t really all that funny, but I agree that the poof in the ad needs to knock that crap off and run like he’s got a pair.
It would be too easy for me to say that “I don’t get” why we can’t run the same ads that they get to run in other countries in the US. Some of it has to do with our outdated, Puritanical views of things like sex, but more has to do with just approaching the right market with the right message… blah, blah, blah. Frankly, in a time where people can find anything and everything, including the very commercials they skim by when they’re actually watching TV, you would think more brand would give the other, more risque’ ads a shot on cable before deciding that we’re not hip enough in America for this cutting edge content.
Then again, what do I know… I’ve been on a steady diet of scotch and beer since I’ve arrived here and by tomorrow I could claim to be the King of England.
J.
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