A friend of mine posted this on Facebook, and tagged me in (given how often I turn friend’s social media posts into blog posts, it’s a wonder I have any friends left: online or offline):
I watched it, and smiled… but it seemed more like a comedy sketch than an advert. In fact, I’d say it’d be funnier as a sketch than an advert. The commercial message, and the logo slapped on it, takes away from the humour: I was disappointed that it was an ad.
Part of the reason it’d be better as a sketch is that, as an advertising idea, it’s kind of been done:
this ad just reminded me of that classic John West ad.
But, that aside, it was almost a bit too leftfield – just that bit too weird – to be an ad for a Samsung washing machine … yet (again) weird enough that it’d be a great one-off sketch.
Agencies have to make these considerations all the time: ‘Is this idea creative, but not quite right for the client/brief? Will the client buy it?’
Clients also have to look at creative ideas, and think: ‘Does this quite suit my brand? Will it generate sales or will it just be seen as a funny idea?’
Individual creatives have to think: ‘It’s a brilliant creative idea – I want it out there, with my name on it. I want it in my folio … but will it actually work as an advert?’
To my mind, this Samsung video strays very close to just being comedy, rather than being a good ad for the brand/product.
Something to always consider: ‘it’s a brilliant, creative, funny idea, and I really want it out there, but … does it actually work? Will it sell my product/service, or will it just make people laugh?
I think this ad (above) is funny, but I don’t think it would’ve shifted many Samsung washing machines.
What are your thoughts: am I right, or is it a brilliant ad and do I just need to shut up?