VW's shivering dog spot upsets the British
Here's the latest U.K. commercial to generate large numbers of complaints: a Volkswagen spot from DDB London showing a dog cowering and shivering—except when he’s riding in a VW Polo, when suddenly he’s brimming with confidence. The RSPCA says: “We have asked how it was filmed and have been told the dog was acting. But we are very disappointed that Volkswagen feel it necessary to portray a dog suffering to sell cars, whether it was genuine or staged.” The Ad Standards Authority says it’s gotten almost 500 complaints since the spot broke two weeks ago, but says the commercial doesn’t break any rules and won’t be pulled. |
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Fail!
Posted by: Swinefactory | Apr 2, 2008 1:48:49 PM
Its a bad commercial, but I see nothing wrong with the dog "cowering" in it. People need to lighten up a bit. It isn't like it portrays someone striking the little thing.
Posted by: | Apr 2, 2008 2:43:29 PM
I absolutly hate this advert. Not because im stupid enough to think that this dog got maltreated, with the amount of training they can do in this day and age, they can pretty much train them to do anything. Of course there is no animal abuse in the advert, VW arnt about to get themselves in that kinda shit.
What i disagree with is the way that VW are using these images to advertise. It doesnt matter if they are real images or not (acted or CGI). For instance take the x box advert, the one where the man vomits up the dog, there is no doubt about it that the advert is fake, but that is not the point-the point is the images are offensive. As for numurous people silly for complaining, i doubt anyone would sit back and watch a violent tv ad during the day and say 'oh but its ok as its not real'.
I personally dont want to turn on the tv and see an advert which depicts animal abuse and suffering (whether real or not), and will turn over..gutted for VW. That goes for all adverts that show suffering, like animal home ones and all the other charity ones. i doubt there is anyone who can watch those kind of adverts without feeling uncomfortable. Sure thats what theyre meant for so you give to charity but the whole vw ad leaves me with the same feeling of being uncomfortable...
I think the advert would have been awesome just with the singing confident dog and left it at that as thats a pretty funny image.
Posted by: belle | Apr 4, 2008 7:08:01 PM
I agree. I am offended that this dog was lacking confidence while outside of his mistress' car. Where were his parents when he was growing up? Does a dog need a car for confidence? Is this what we're telling our puppies these days? Won't someone think of the puppies before they're taken in by our consumer culture? It's bad enough that they all want to look like that dog on the front of every ALPO bag, but this? Unacceptable.
Posted by: re: Belle | Apr 13, 2008 2:59:20 PM
