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Holy jumping bass! I know I must be way, way late to the conversation about this campaign but, sweet baby peas, this made me jump right out of my chair.
I had heard tale of a campaign from the big, snowy that made Safe Happens look like an Archie comic, but I just ran across it today. What say ye people? Horror film or effective ad? I'll go first. Generally, I don't go for the gore. But I have to admit these do change my thinking about safety. Or, at least, they really have made me think about safety. Somehow that gets me over the "taste' hump.
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Everything I need to know about advertising I learned from Star Wars
Good spot.
Would've been just as effective without the zombie film close-up at the end. The end result I imagined was far more horrifying than the make-up artist's work.
Posted by:Szczepanik | November 29, 2007 at 03:44 PM
This ad is all over the tube up here in the Big Snow. My kids have even seen it for crying out loud. Creepy. Makes me glad I chose an office gig.
Also gives me a good excuse for not cooking at home.
Posted by:Michael Seaton | November 29, 2007 at 04:37 PM
I'm with that comment. The zombie close-up at the end was unnecessary. Either way, it's always nice to know that, jaded advertising people that we are, every once in a while we can still react audibly to commercials.
(Also, is that Lindsay Bruno's long-lost Canadian older sister in the banner spot? I'd check with her parents about any stories they might've never told her)
Posted by:Brazilian Art Director | November 29, 2007 at 06:21 PM
Funny I haven't seen these on TV like Michael and his kids - apparently I'm not watching enough TV.
I think some of the effectiveness comes from her telling you she's about to be in an accident, yet you can't avoid the feelings of horror that come from seeing her slip, fall, and melt her face off when it actually happens.
Posted by:Chris Clarke | November 30, 2007 at 08:31 AM
don't even know how to comment on that one... but my bagel is not looking so good all of a sudden.
Posted by:Stace | November 30, 2007 at 08:47 AM
They should have made her head spin around. That would have been much more effective.
Posted by:RyanB | November 30, 2007 at 08:49 AM
It's different from VW's safe happens because you're just waiting for it the whole time. It almost makes it more horrific.
I think VW didn't need the "Holy s..." line and this doesn't need the zombie shot. The shock was enough in both. It sent me flying out of my chair.
Posted by:KFad | November 30, 2007 at 10:39 AM
what exactly is this ad trying to say? who is it for? the line 'there are no accidents' doesn't say anything to me. seems like pure shock value and pretty poorly executed at that.
Posted by:t | November 30, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Great ad. I actually like the little face zoom at the end, because it was short enough to the point that it scared me even more. But I guess the fundamental problem of this was that I couldn't remember what it was about. I mean, I knew it had to do with some kind of accidents and a link to something in Canada. But what next? How will I search for it on the Internet? I tried typing in "Canada accident commercial" but seems like nothing came relevant to this... But still, scared the hell out of me.
Posted by:Dongkwan Kim | December 03, 2007 at 02:25 AM
Hey ... I e-mailed this clip to my co-workers and got in a shitload of trouble. Thanks, American Copywriter.
Posted by:Scott P. DeMenter | December 03, 2007 at 08:24 PM
Sorry Scott. But in the immortal words of South Park, "Blame Canada."
Posted by:americancopywriter | December 03, 2007 at 08:39 PM
I almost had a similar accident while watching this. They should put a warning on this that says you shouldn't watch while drinking an overfilled, piping hot Starbucks latte and sitting in the library on campus. Jerks.
**I don't know why, but I couldn't stop giggling after I saw it. Maybe the thrill of people falling still tickles me. Edit out the face that's melting away and you may have an America's Funniest Home Videos finalist. Seriously. I'm not trying to be cruel. If it were cold water it would be effing hilarious.
I can't believe this is really broadcasted somewhere. Should kids be watching this? Future chefs may be scarred and forever leave their culinary dreams on the back burner.
Shit, I'm still giggling. What's wrong with me....?
Posted by:Lauren Keel | December 09, 2007 at 01:05 PM
I did not realize that Rob Zombie was directing Canadian public service announcements.
Posted by:rich swartzel | December 23, 2007 at 01:58 PM