I’ve been using Hulu quite a lot recently due canceling cable (obviously I now get the benefit of reacting condescendingly to small talk about American Idol with “oh, I cancelled cable”, while still keeping up with the daily show 
. Anyway, I’ve been exposed to a few Hulu ads now and I’ve got so say it’s some of the worst advertising i’ve ever seen (except for an old spice commercial which was awesome).
Anyway, this verizon commercial has to win the award for least imaginative, essentially they copied a chewing gum commercial, yep, it’s a remake.
Here’s the Verizon commercial
Original Big Red Chewing gum commercial:
Who thought this was a good idea?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
It would probably work a lot better if Big Red truly was a long-lasting gum. I’m interested in seeing whether this leads to a Big Red resurgence in my generation, a group of people exposed to that jingle ad infinitum. An interesting exploration of convincing sounds (with audio clips) is currently up at Fast Company: The 10 Most Addictive Sounds in the World.
What I’d really like to know is who thought it would be a good idea to show people popping in a stick of gum immediately prior to making out with someone.
What’s unfortunate is that with Hulu’s ad format (multiple ads per show that can all be purchased by the same advertiser) there’s the potential to really create unique and engaging advertising, but they’re just not being explored and experimented with like they should be. I’d love to see a company that’s willing to test out a mini-series ad that plays out across a few different ads, since that would change the ad break from something to skip into something to look forward to.
Hey…Isn’t that Peter Billingsley from A Christmas Story with the tuba?
Advertiser’s are still trying to use methods and tactics created during the Mad Men era for a new 21st Century world.
@Abi i’ve never liked the idea of cinnamon gum, it’s such a weird flavor for candy. Americans are crazy for cinnamon though it seems, I wonder who first marketed it as a flavor.
Agreed Cory, there are a lot more opportunities for them to be creative, I think they’re experimenting cheaply, talk about b or c team stuff
David, yeah, I think you’re right it is the christmas story kid, looks a bit older there, how funny and yes.
Advertiser should change their perception. A sea change has come in todays generation. They need something rocking… Wake up!!
Great post!
Funny as how they are running out of marketing ideas to engage audience. in this day and age with SEO and social network sites they options are endless to engage audience and more effectively target the network who will most likely buy your product or use your service. I was attempting to ship my car overseas and ran into Auto Shipping Network website and was amazed on how they managed to utilize this method so effectively. See for yourselves at http://www.autoshippingnetwork.com/ .
No more coping other companies!!!
It’s called recycling silly. Isn’t recycling all the rage in the new age of sustainability?