Anthropomorphism sells!

[superbadgirl]

Will someone tell me what the hell is up with the Air Wick commercials that use computer animated female elephants and octopi? How is the anthropomorphisation of these critters into stereotypical female roles (The elephant rambles on about how her centipede husband has lots of stinky shoes she needs to combat and the octopus is so weary and exhausted from taking care of her offspring, which is challenge because of its eight limbs) supposed to make me want to buy an Air Wick air freshener?

I've been wondering this for a while. I won't even talk about the bizarre elephant/centipede marriage issue. I suppose that's supposed to represent diversity, but...what?

Comments

[lovellama.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't understand that either. And the quality of the animation sucks! :P

[superbadgirl]

They probably didn't want to blow the whole budget on it. ;)

[ozreison.livejournal.com]

I think the general reaction is supposed to be:

"Awww, how cute! I feel all warm and fuzzy now because of the cute! If I buy this product, I'll feel warm and fuzzy all the time, and my house won't stink! That will teach my inconsiderate husband/offspring for having all those stinky feet! Ha!" *warm glow continues indefinitely*

Unfortunately, not all of us are wired that way... ;)

[superbadgirl]

I've always just striven to keep my house stink-free on its own.

[captain-tiv.livejournal.com]

These make as much sense as the "Big Buckin' Chicken" commercials.

[superbadgirl]

Don't get me started on EVERY Burger King ad. They're awful.

And the voiceover artist, whose voice is totally creepy, btw, has now been heard on some car commercials (Toyota?) and AM/PM. Seriously, his voice alone is enough to wig me out, but put him with that scary dude in the King costume...aieeee!

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

Hee! I have no clue at all! I've never seen these commercials. *g* Your description made me laugh anyway, though.

[superbadgirl]

Count yourself as lucky. They're aggravating.

I love your icon. I swear, if they don't let John survive all of S2, I'm sending Kripke (who strikes me as kind of an arrogant, self-absorbed dude) a letter. And maybe a swift kick in the rear, too.

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

I love your icon.

Thanks. It's a new one by lady_octavia.

I swear, if they don't let John survive all of S2, I'm sending Kripke (who strikes me as kind of an arrogant, self-absorbed dude) a letter. And maybe a swift kick in the rear, too.

hehe I'm really looking forward to seeing him again. The new season starts next week, doesn't it? I think so. Or if not next week, it must be the week after. *g*

[darksylvia.livejournal.com]

GOD I HATE THAT COMMERCIAL!

FIRST OF ALL, THE OCTOPUS AND ELEPHANT SCARE ME. SECOND, THEIR DIALOG IS SO BAD IT MAKES ME WANT TO PUKE. MAYBE WE CAN START A HATE-LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGNE.

[superbadgirl]

Yeah, if they're trying to engender warm fuzzies, they're missing the mark. I find the ads as annoying as the BK ones (see above) and the Huggies commercials that speak directly to a 6 month old. Because so many 6 month olds purchase diapers.