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Pepsi suicide-based ads
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starman
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Dec 3, 2008, 12:42 PM
 
Whoa. Even though it's a calorie committing suicide, this isn't the most sensitive thing Pepsi has ever done. Who comes up with this crap?

http://adage.com/globalideanetwork/p...icle_id=132952

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Dakar V
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Dec 3, 2008, 12:51 PM
 
Nice pun in the article title.
     
Eriamjh
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Dec 3, 2008, 01:19 PM
 
If a cartoon cat can't get hit on the head with an anvil nowadays, why would a calorie committing suicide be acceptible?

Pepsi missed the boat on this one. Idiots.

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ort888
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Dec 3, 2008, 01:20 PM
 
Hey, if they stir up enough controversy they get that much more publicity.

How many people will really stop drinking Pepsi because of this?

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starman  (op)
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Dec 3, 2008, 01:24 PM
 
I never started in the first place. Don't like Pepsi.

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LegendaryPinkOx
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Dec 3, 2008, 01:46 PM
 
Indeed, Pepsi just isn't where its at, yo.
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Maflynn
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Dec 3, 2008, 01:58 PM
 
I think its kind of funny and people are taking this like too many things way too serious.
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starman  (op)
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Dec 3, 2008, 02:31 PM
 
Originally Posted by Maflynn View Post
I think its kind of funny and people are taking this like too many things way too serious.
TOO seriously? Suicide is very serious. People in that state don't need it shoved in their face.

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Dakar V
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Dec 3, 2008, 02:37 PM
 
I think they should do another set of ads, where the calories are represented by your typical Nuclear Family, and it illustrates Pepsi ripping away the parents to leave a solitary child, who becomes the sole calorie in a Pepsi Max.
     
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Dec 3, 2008, 02:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by ort888 View Post
How many people will really stop drinking Pepsi because of this?
Not even complete morans would drink Pepsi voluntarily to begin with..
     
Maflynn
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Dec 3, 2008, 02:46 PM
 
Originally Posted by starman View Post
TOO seriously? Suicide is very serious. People in that state don't need it shoved in their face.
I don't see the difference between a cartoon calorie committing suicide and playing gears of war, call of duty or any other computer game that requires you to pick up a gun and shoot an opponent.

What about watching an action movie where people are frequently being blown up, cut up or shot.

Sorry but it seems hypocritical to engage in these types of entertainment but then look down at a cartoon character with righteous indignation.

edit: also forgot the old time cartoons with bugs bunny, popeye and the millions of other cartoon characters that inflict violence on another. I don't know too many people who haven't watched them as well.
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starman  (op)
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Dec 3, 2008, 02:59 PM
 
Killing others in a game is not the same thing.

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shifuimam
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Dec 3, 2008, 03:15 PM
 
Originally Posted by Maflynn View Post
I don't see the difference between a cartoon calorie committing suicide and playing gears of war, call of duty or any other computer game that requires you to pick up a gun and shoot an opponent.

What about watching an action movie where people are frequently being blown up, cut up or shot.

Sorry but it seems hypocritical to engage in these types of entertainment but then look down at a cartoon character with righteous indignation.

edit: also forgot the old time cartoons with bugs bunny, popeye and the millions of other cartoon characters that inflict violence on another. I don't know too many people who haven't watched them as well.
I don't disagree that a lot of video games are more violent than these ads.

However, the big difference is that violent movies and video games require voluntary participation. I am completely sickened by brutal graphic violence. As a result, I refuse to watch the Saw movies. If one of those movies were the movie on a trans-Atlantic flight, for instance, I would be offended and disgusted (and believe me, not much offends me), because I would be unable to avoid seeing something in extremely poor taste.

It's one thing to voluntarily see something violent for your own entertainment. It's quite another to have it unexpectedly pop up in your face as a commercial or print advertisement, particularly when you look at how graphic and realistic these ads actually are. It's not like The Book of Bunny Suicides, which are silly and done in a cartoon-style. The blood and bullet coming out of the back of that character's head after shooting himself is a little too detailed to be "funny".
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Maflynn
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Dec 3, 2008, 03:16 PM
 
Originally Posted by starman View Post
Killing others in a game is not the same thing.
So you're saying its ok to take a chain gun in a game and split someone in half with it but its not ok to see an advertisement of a cartoon character hanging himself.

You're really reaching on that one. What about the movies, TVs, and yes, cartoons where there's violence?
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starman  (op)
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Dec 3, 2008, 03:22 PM
 
Originally Posted by Maflynn View Post
So you're saying its ok to take a chain gun in a game and split someone in half with it but its not ok to see an advertisement of a cartoon character hanging himself.

You're really reaching on that one. What about the movies, TVs, and yes, cartoons where there's violence?
Did I actually say that? Seriously, go re-read what I wrote.

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ort888
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Dec 3, 2008, 03:52 PM
 
I just went downstairs and bought a Diet Pepsi from the vending machine... just because of this ad.

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Maflynn
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Dec 3, 2008, 04:01 PM
 
I may start marketing my own suicidal calorie stuffed Christmas ornament
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Dec 3, 2008, 04:16 PM
 
^ should include a drop of your blood with each ornament.
     
Laminar
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Dec 3, 2008, 04:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by Maflynn View Post
So you're saying its ok to take a chain gun in a game and split someone in half with it but its not ok to see an advertisement of a cartoon character hanging himself.

You're really reaching on that one. What about the movies, TVs, and yes, cartoons where there's violence?
Suicide is a much touchier subject. Go reread the "last straw" Lounge thread and tell me whether or not that poster would find these ads amusing.
     
Laminar
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Dec 3, 2008, 04:25 PM
 
Originally Posted by shifuimam View Post
As a result, I refuse to watch the Saw movies. If one of those movies were the movie on a trans-Atlantic flight, for instance, I would be offended and disgusted (and believe me, not much offends me), because I would be unable to avoid seeing something in extremely poor taste.
Stay away from Peru. My girlfriend just got back from a trip there and on one of the flights within Peru they showed an ultra-graphic horror movie, which was especially creepy because they were traveling in dangerous areas where that sort of thing happening to them wasn't exactly out of the question.
     
Dakar V
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Dec 3, 2008, 04:28 PM
 
What airline did she take?
     
Laminar
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Dec 3, 2008, 04:47 PM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar V View Post
What airline did she take?
No idea. But it was a plane trip within Peru, if that makes any difference. I don't know which airlines would run flights like that.
     
Stogieman
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Dec 3, 2008, 05:07 PM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar V View Post
What airline did she take?
Peruvian Airlines?

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Dakar V
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Dec 3, 2008, 05:11 PM
 
Inca Air would have been believable.
     
NobleMatt
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Dec 3, 2008, 05:13 PM
 
wow i love this illustrations they are gorgeous!
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Zeeb
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Dec 3, 2008, 05:13 PM
 
Originally Posted by shifuimam View Post
I don't disagree that a lot of video games are more violent than these ads.

However, the big difference is that violent movies and video games require voluntary participation. I am completely sickened by brutal graphic violence. As a result, I refuse to watch the Saw movies. If one of those movies were the movie on a trans-Atlantic flight, for instance, I would be offended and disgusted (and believe me, not much offends me), because I would be unable to avoid seeing something in extremely poor taste.

It's one thing to voluntarily see something violent for your own entertainment. It's quite another to have it unexpectedly pop up in your face as a commercial or print advertisement, particularly when you look at how graphic and realistic these ads actually are. It's not like The Book of Bunny Suicides, which are silly and done in a cartoon-style. The blood and bullet coming out of the back of that character's head after shooting himself is a little too detailed to be "funny".
That's fine you have that opinion and I imagine Pepsi may pull the ads due to negative reaction-- which is also fine. However, are you suggesting that Pepsi not be *legally* allowed to run the ads or be liable for someone committing suicide because they viewed them?
     
Rev-O
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Dec 3, 2008, 10:26 PM
 
Maybe in the next ad a calorie cartoon person should get anally raped by a Pepsi cartoon. Y'know, just as a metaphor for the calories getting the shaft from Pepsi. Would make great add copy. "At Pepsi, we give Calories the shaft!"
Just as the thought of of a blue, bean shaped thing drinking poison and shooting himself in the noggin as he prepares to hang himself stirs my inner consumer whore, so to would a blue bean shaped thing being forcibly and horribly violated.

Wow, what an idiotic ad.
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
     
christinelu
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Dec 3, 2008, 10:31 PM
 
I lost my sister to suicide 4 years ago. It changed my life and woke me up to a very dark side that many of the people we care about live in on a daily basis until it's too late.

I have NO IDEA how a supposedly world class agency like BBDO could have come up with such an insensitive ad campaign ...nor can I comprehend how a brand like Pepsi could approve this kind garbage. Are their sales really suffering to the point where using suicide as a theme to sell soda makes sense to them?

Fact: Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teens age 15-24.

Fact: Pepsi Max targets that demographic

What the hell were you thinking BBDO and Pepsi?
     
turtle777
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Dec 3, 2008, 10:42 PM
 
Originally Posted by starman View Post
Killing others in a game is not the same thing.
I don't understood how a obviously non-serious, comic-like advertisement would be insensitive, but killing others in a game is not.

-t
     
olePigeon
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Dec 3, 2008, 11:12 PM
 
Pepsi Exec 1: Did you see those Microsoft Seinfeld ads? They're genius!
Pepsi Exec 2: Yeah, I couldn't stop laughing. How can we top it?
Pepsi Exec 1: Umm... *twiddles thumbs* is suicide funny?
Pepsi Exec 2: Why don't we ask the expert.
Pepsi Exec 1: Hi, Mr. Seinfeld? Is suicide funny?
Jerry Seinfeld: Why can't people commit suicide at work? Some guy kills himself, everyone panics, you get the rest of the day off! I call that practical. Am I right? Am I right?
Pepsi Execs 1 & 2: Hahahahahaha!
Pepsi Exec 1: Get Bob from Marketing on the line, we're gonna commit suicide!
Pepsi Exec 2: *a little confused*
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Laminar
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Dec 3, 2008, 11:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
I don't understood how a obviously non-serious, comic-like advertisement would be insensitive, but killing others in a game is not.

-t
Once again - killing is much different from suicide.
     
BoingoBongo
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Dec 4, 2008, 12:42 AM
 
Those ads are funny. It's a cartoon, not a person. It's funny.
     
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Dec 4, 2008, 01:14 AM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Once again - killing is much different from suicide.
one kills ones self. it's the same thing, minus another person being involved with the killing.
     
Laminar
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Dec 4, 2008, 01:19 AM
 
Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² View Post
one kills ones self. it's the same thing, minus another person being involved with the killing.
So it's completely different then.
     
shifuimam
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Dec 4, 2008, 01:22 AM
 
Originally Posted by Zeeb View Post
That's fine you have that opinion and I imagine Pepsi may pull the ads due to negative reaction-- which is also fine. However, are you suggesting that Pepsi not be *legally* allowed to run the ads or be liable for someone committing suicide because they viewed them?
Not at all. I am not of the persuasion that a company should be held liable for the actions of a consumer based on anything that is not a direct instruction - advertising, etc. If a company holds an eating contest and someone dies from it, that's one thing. Someone committing suicide over these ads is not the fault of the company.

I was just pointing out that there is an inherent difference between violent video games and movies and violent advertising. One is voluntarily consumed while the other is generally not, and that difference means that the two cannot operate under the same rules and expectations.
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Dec 4, 2008, 02:44 AM
 
It's all in the context really. These ads weren't run in the New York Times, but for a fringe underground cult mag these would be perfect.

And suicidal people have humour too.

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Cipher13
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Dec 4, 2008, 02:51 AM
 
"The human race will begin solving its problems on the day that it ceases taking itself so seriously."
     
brassplayersrock²
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Dec 4, 2008, 04:25 AM
 
Originally Posted by Cipher13 View Post
"The human race will begin solving its problems on the day that it ceases taking itself so seriously."
".... and harness the power of stupid."
     
angelmb
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Dec 4, 2008, 05:33 AM
 
Originally Posted by christinelu View Post
I lost my sister to suicide 4 years ago. It changed my life and woke me up to a very dark side that many of the people we care about live in on a daily basis until it's too late.

I have NO IDEA how a supposedly world class agency like BBDO could have come up with such an insensitive ad campaign ...nor can I comprehend how a brand like Pepsi could approve this kind garbage. Are their sales really suffering to the point where using suicide as a theme to sell soda makes sense to them?

Fact: Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teens age 15-24.

Fact: Pepsi Max targets that demographic

What the hell were you thinking BBDO and Pepsi?
Well put. I guess there is a point to such stupid advertising… if you're lonely you better commit suicide but in the meanwhile drink a damn PEPSI… Christine's post is all I need to read about such nonsense.

I ponder PEPSI folks didn't liked these ones that much… also by BBDO Germany BTW





     
Eriamjh
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Dec 4, 2008, 08:15 AM
 
Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² View Post
".... and harness the power of stupid."
Whoa! We'll never need THAT much energy!

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Maflynn
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Dec 4, 2008, 08:40 AM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
So it's completely different then.
No actually its the same thing, killing is killing it just happens the killer and victim are the same.

I see no difference in the cartoon ad and playing a FPS game. Except maybe the FPS game ism ore violent and more explicit. The cartoon character is funny and gets the point across. I have no problems FPS games, in fact I enjoy playing them myself, and I have no problems with this ad.
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Laminar
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Dec 4, 2008, 08:56 AM
 
Originally Posted by Maflynn View Post
No actually its the same thing, killing is killing it just happens the killer and victim are the same.

I see no difference in the cartoon ad and playing a FPS game. Except maybe the FPS game ism ore violent and more explicit. The cartoon character is funny and gets the point across. I have no problems FPS games, in fact I enjoy playing them myself, and I have no problems with this ad.
Wow. I give up.
     
Maflynn
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Dec 4, 2008, 09:21 AM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Wow. I give up.
Great, move along then
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brassplayersrock²
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Dec 4, 2008, 12:01 PM
 
Job well done Maflynn. It just sucks that it took two people to show Lamy how things are
     
   
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