Comments on: The new Passat ad II http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:58:46 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: chetara http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4247 chetara Tue, 25 Jul 2006 17:44:50 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4247 <p>actually, they started with the the more subtle copy of it, and then they did air the "yeah big" version. and i'm guessing they got a lot of heat for it, because starting the next day, they reverted back to the version where the man is "compensating for his shortcomings."</p> actually, they started with the the more subtle copy of it, and then they did air the "yeah big" version. and i'm guessing they got a lot of heat for it, because starting the next day, they reverted back to the version where the man is "compensating for his shortcomings."

]]> By: Kirby http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4246 Kirby Sat, 27 May 2006 21:46:21 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4246 <p>I saw the original "yay big" version on FOX television during re-runs of the Simpsons over a dozen times. Only a few days ago did the "Shortcomings" version air (May 27th, 2006), at least here in the Midwest. My guess? Someone somewhere complained about the penis gesture, and the ad agency had to change its product. The cost of producing two versions of what is essentially the same ad with only a minor "verbal" change can't have been insignificant. And who the hell would notice but somebody like me who watches Simpsons reruns all the time?? No one. Except people who are paying any attention at all. For that, for the courage to risk losing money for an inside joke, I applaud Volkswagen. For the cowardice to cave to what was no doubt a sexually conservative backlash, however, I shake my head in disappointment.</p> I saw the original "yay big" version on FOX television during re-runs of the Simpsons over a dozen times. Only a few days ago did the "Shortcomings" version air (May 27th, 2006), at least here in the Midwest. My guess? Someone somewhere complained about the penis gesture, and the ad agency had to change its product. The cost of producing two versions of what is essentially the same ad with only a minor "verbal" change can't have been insignificant. And who the hell would notice but somebody like me who watches Simpsons reruns all the time?? No one. Except people who are paying any attention at all. For that, for the courage to risk losing money for an inside joke, I applaud Volkswagen. For the cowardice to cave to what was no doubt a sexually conservative backlash, however, I shake my head in disappointment.

]]> By: Lyn Rafe-Lawyer http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4245 Lyn Rafe-Lawyer Wed, 24 May 2006 19:11:13 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4245 <p>I spent all morning trying to find out who are the idiot geniuses at the 'X' agency who created the passat megaphone tv commercial.<br /> What a stupid attempt to get me to buy this car!Most importantly, it is dangerous and reckless showing a woman throwing her megaphone out of the window onto a busy street.</p> <p>Please will someone give me the ad agency info I need so I can really complain.</p> <p>Thank you.</p> <p>Lyn Rafe-Lawyer</p> I spent all morning trying to find out who are the idiot geniuses at the 'X' agency who created the passat megaphone tv commercial.
What a stupid attempt to get me to buy this car!Most importantly, it is dangerous and reckless showing a woman throwing her megaphone out of the window onto a busy street.

Please will someone give me the ad agency info I need so I can really complain.

Thank you.

Lyn Rafe-Lawyer

]]> By: syd http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4244 syd Mon, 22 May 2006 01:52:10 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4244 <p>This is off the subject and I do apologize but does anyone know the brand and or the model of the black and chrome wheel on the front of the black car in the commercial. Thanks in advance!</p> This is off the subject and I do apologize but does anyone know the brand and or the model of the black and chrome wheel on the front of the black car in the commercial. Thanks in advance!

]]> By: Grant http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4243 Grant Mon, 15 May 2006 01:54:51 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4243 <p>Charles, thanks, I still think this is cheap advertising, chiefly because it seeks to build one brand by savaging other brands. Best, Grant</p> <p>Rodney, Thanks, I agree, Good advertising is always more viral than cheap advertising. Best, Grant</p> <p>Jeremy, it is entirely possible, and I am sure I am reacting like the Victorian Canadian that I am, on the other hand, doesnt it seem like mean spirited, zero sum advertising. This brands does better if these consumers do worse. Thanks, Grant</p> <p><br /> Adam, well which one did they like better? If the latter, why release the yah big at all. Best, Grant</p> <p>Will, this is great news, and clarifies things enormously, on the other hand, I guess we have to ask why they shot the second version, and if they really thought they would actually get away with the "yay big" version. There's a chance they knew it wouldnt last long and had the other deliberately in reserve. Best, Grant</p> Charles, thanks, I still think this is cheap advertising, chiefly because it seeks to build one brand by savaging other brands. Best, Grant

Rodney, Thanks, I agree, Good advertising is always more viral than cheap advertising. Best, Grant

Jeremy, it is entirely possible, and I am sure I am reacting like the Victorian Canadian that I am, on the other hand, doesnt it seem like mean spirited, zero sum advertising. This brands does better if these consumers do worse. Thanks, Grant

Adam, well which one did they like better? If the latter, why release the yah big at all. Best, Grant

Will, this is great news, and clarifies things enormously, on the other hand, I guess we have to ask why they shot the second version, and if they really thought they would actually get away with the "yay big" version. There's a chance they knew it wouldnt last long and had the other deliberately in reserve. Best, Grant

]]> By: will http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4242 will Sun, 14 May 2006 23:29:15 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4242 <p>The "yay big" ad ran on regular TV -- I saw it broadcast twice during telecasts of the Philadelphia Phillies on cable here in Philadelphia.<br /> Two days later, it had been replaced with "shortcomings." (heh.) I wondered if someone had complained, which is why I Googled it and found this site. So anyway, it did air on TV, albeit briefly.</p> The "yay big" ad ran on regular TV — I saw it broadcast twice during telecasts of the Philadelphia Phillies on cable here in Philadelphia.
Two days later, it had been replaced with "shortcomings." (heh.) I wondered if someone had complained, which is why I Googled it and found this site. So anyway, it did air on TV, albeit briefly.

]]> By: Adam http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4241 Adam Sat, 13 May 2006 23:16:41 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4241 <p>Maybe they just liked the "Yay big" version better, and decided to let it out? Aside from the cynicism you assume, there's nothing worse about that version. In fact, it may be better than the broadcast version. </p> <p>I don't think the creators were looking for any more of a viral effect because of the "Yay big" comment-- I don't think they're that stupid. I think they just chose to release the more amusing of the 2 ads.</p> Maybe they just liked the "Yay big" version better, and decided to let it out? Aside from the cynicism you assume, there's nothing worse about that version. In fact, it may be better than the broadcast version.

I don't think the creators were looking for any more of a viral effect because of the "Yay big" comment– I don't think they're that stupid. I think they just chose to release the more amusing of the 2 ads.

]]> By: Jeremy http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4240 Jeremy Sat, 13 May 2006 06:27:33 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4240 <p>Is it not also possible that the creators simply enjoyed producing/got more personal satisfaction out of the more "sophomoric and cynical" version of the ad, and thus shot and released it so that other people could see it and, presumably, enjoy it as they did?</p> Is it not also possible that the creators simply enjoyed producing/got more personal satisfaction out of the more "sophomoric and cynical" version of the ad, and thus shot and released it so that other people could see it and, presumably, enjoy it as they did?

]]> By: Rodney Tanner http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4239 Rodney Tanner Fri, 12 May 2006 15:01:35 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4239 <p>As a saliance strategy that makes sense, the objective being to get talked about and connect with insecure self absorbed car buyers that also makes sense (there must be a lot of them out there). Putting it on YouTube is a bit self defeating and superficial. Good old fashioned TV commedy content might be a better bet and more "viral" as well :-) </p> As a saliance strategy that makes sense, the objective being to get talked about and connect with insecure self absorbed car buyers that also makes sense (there must be a lot of them out there). Putting it on YouTube is a bit self defeating and superficial. Good old fashioned TV commedy content might be a better bet and more "viral" as well :-)

]]> By: Charles Frith http://cultureby.com/2006/05/the_new_passat__1.html/comment-page-1#comment-4238 Charles Frith Fri, 12 May 2006 07:26:10 +0000 http://grantmccracken.com/cco/http:/grantmccracken/page-title#comment-4238 <p>A viral Ad is more sophisticated if it is 'pull' as opposed to 'push'. No pun intended. Humour is subjective and this is a good example of contiguous advertising in the information age.</p> A viral Ad is more sophisticated if it is 'pull' as opposed to 'push'. No pun intended. Humour is subjective and this is a good example of contiguous advertising in the information age.

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