What’s RIGHT with this commercial?
So many commercials — car ads, insurance ads, fast food chain ads — are pretty much interchangeable. Everyone’s pretty, the sun is always shining, and no one gets older and loses their hair. (Unless, of course, what’s being pitched has to do with the avoidance of aging, or is a medication for the management of senility.) So kudos to Wendy’s (!) for their new spot. Watch:
Buddhism is of course unafraid to confront aging, sickness, and death. But the advertising industry? Well, let’s just say: not so much. So when Wendy’s chose to run this ad, they may just have broken a little teensy bit of ground. Addressing your customers’ mortality, even in so lighthearted a way, is somehow refreshing. It certainly caught my eye and jarred me a little.
But then, maybe that’s because I’m in the balding-youngish-guy-getting-older demographic. (Not that I’ll be going to Wendy’s any time soon… or, ever.) But what do you think?
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May 6th, 2009 at 9:13 am
We too were pleasantly surprised when this ad appeared. I’m with you. Kudos to Wendy’s and their ad agency/marketing department for showing that we don’t stay 17 forever!
May 7th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Did you ever hear about Buddhatobuddha products? I think it’s a Dutch company (I’m Dutch). They promote and sell luxery articles like jewelery and clothing. Didn’t know where to submit this, so I use the comment space on this post to make the Horse aware of this company. Here’s the link to their website http://www.buddhatobuddha.com/
kind regards, Frankie
May 7th, 2009 at 11:37 am
it would be perfect if the end of the commercial showed him really old and in a hospital bed with his beloved spicy chicken sandwich, followed by a thumbs up from his coffin, while of course enjoying a tasty sandwich.
May 10th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Too bad this is a commercial for a chicken sandwich. Also, it’s endorsing extra (unnecessary) slaughter in the name of having a particular cut of meat.
May 13th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
“U.S. factory farms confine about 280 million hens in barren battery cages so small, they can’t even spread their wings. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live for more than a year before she’s slaughtered.” http://tiny.cc/eSd81
No kudos from me.
May 25th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
From what you said in the post, I was expecting the guy to get OLD. Or, at least as old as me! I also wanted to see the sandwich placed as an offering at his graveside. Maybe it will become a series.