Tags
Advertising, Candy, Capitalism., Cluelessnes, Conservatives, Hegemony, Irony, Republican Party, Sex, Skittles
Sometimes you just get a wonderful glimpse into the priorities that guide people’s decisions. Take for example this campaign from One Million Moms. They want people to take action against this ad:
Now frankly, I can’t make up my mind whether or not the ad is post-modern brilliance, or a broccoli fart filtered through used bong water (though I am leaning a bit towards the latter), but the Million Moms are screaming bloody murder. They have posted the following diatribe against this travesty of marketing brilliance, …er, bullshit:
We are not sure of Skittles’ thought process behind their new ad, but if they are attempting to offend customers, they have succeeded. Skittles’ newest “Walrus” commercial includes a teen girl making out with a walrus. The two are on a sofa in an apartment kissing on the mouth when her shocked roommate walks in on them. Parents find this type of advertising inappropriate and unnecessary. Does Skittles’ have our children’s best interest in mind? Skittles candies are for all ages, but their target market is children.
Skittles Marketing Team may have thought this was humorous, but not only is it disgusting, it is taking lightly the act of bestiality. Let Skittles know their new ad is irresponsible.
What interests me most about this whole screed, is the rhetorical question. “Does Skittles’ have our children’s best interest in mind?”
I don’t suppose it has occurred to any of the One Million Moms that the purpose of the ad is to sell CANDY to their children.
And I’ll leave it at that.
***
Special thanks to Jessica Bluemke. It was her guest post on The Friendly Atheist where I first stumbled across this little gem of …something.
northierthanthou 
Groan! It’s off the wall but please people, stop taking everything so damned seriously.
Does it mean that we will all end up looking like a walrus if we eat the candy! Obesity is a bigger problem! I always learn something when I stop by for a visit! Smiles….
The ad is brilliant. Do these idiots think that exposure will lead to hordes of teenage girls making out with walruses (who are also some other girl’s walrusfriend)? Or even one? One Million Moms are their own parody.
Even the Onion couldn’t have seen this one coming.
Well, one can’t expect much from any group associated with The American Family Association, but seriously, this is a spectacular fail on their part. They aren’t sure of the thinking behind the ad? Bestiality? The symbolism is subtle, but it’s not THAT subtle.
If you had said it was the AFA to begin with, we’d have known they were hitting us with broccoli farts — unfiltered.
Seems the ad has accomplished what it set out to do. Irritating a Million Moms has just given it far more attention than it deserves. I’ll second the groan.
Uh oh, …does this mean that I am giving the Million Mom’s what they want?
Curses! Foiled again.
No, no… you misunderstood. The protest gave Skittles a million bucks worth of extra advertising. Sorry, not foiled this time. Try again 😉
Okay, …whew! Had me worried for a minute.
I like that they complain that “…it is taking lightly the act of bestiality”.
Obviously OMM believes that bestiality should be taken very very seriously. Never be casual about making out with your walrus boyfriend (especially if he is also your roommate’s walrus boyfriend). No smiles or flippancy. Be solemn as you caress those tusks.
Walrusophilia – the love that dare not speak its name.
The one thing I love about groups like this is the fear that their children will do literally anything they see. Now I think the walrus add is one of the dumbest that I’ve seen in a while. But if someone were to try making out with a walrus, they were going to do that anyway. Put some faith in the children damn it!
And maybe don’t use the most bizarre stoner’s ideas next time you have an ad meeting. 🙂
I’m glad they didn’t associate he rainbow with the “homosexual agenda” as they call it.
Well put!
Oh, that is hilarious. And your point about a candy company being unlikely to really have the best interests of children at heart is spot on. Wonder what Willy Wonka would make of all this…
It’s stupid I know. But it seems to fit too well. 🙂
Wow, there are one million moms who are up in arms over this? My mom would have said, “Stop kissing that walrus, the damned thing might bite you. And don’t come crying to me if your lips fall off.”
Hmmm… you make a good point there!
I don’t find it offensive but I do find it gross. I roll my eyes when different brands attempt to ‘shock’ me in to buying their product. Too bad I love Skittles so much or I might boycott. ;o)
I will always remember Skittles now for sure! So I guess as far as marketing goes, it is successful.
Now the OMM….that’s a whole other story! They will soon be forgotten, unlike the Skittles.
I’ve not seen this commercial yet, but I think you’re correct, the point is to sell candy, and I’m pretty sure tendecies toward beastiality won’t occur from someone kissing a walrus. I’m mean how many kids kiss their pets? I’m a mom and a grandmom, these people are way overreacting.