PSAs battle drunk driving with grim humorMullen and the Ad Council successfully walk a fine line in these anti-drunk-driving spots. Using humor to draw attention to such a charged issue can be tricky, and in the process it's all too easy to stagger drunkenly and fall face-first to the pavement ... yadda, yadda ... you complete the metaphor. These ads, thankfully, mix the portions just right. The sight of severely injured accident victims popping up and chatting as if nothing's wrong, as the drivers tearfully claim they were "just buzzed," helps mitigate the tragic-PSA cliche factor and heighten viewer interest. The reprise of the hyper-realistic serious theme at the close of the spots seems unforced, logical and not at all preachy. Ultimately, the dream-like humorous interludes—off point and disingenuous, just like the drivers' claims that they weren't really that drunk—drive the nightmare quality of the scenarios. —Posted by David Gianatasio |
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November 26, 2008 in Ad Council, Alcohol, Gianatasio, Mullen, PSAs | Permalink |
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An homage to Six Feet Under, I believe.
Posted by: pete shotton | Nov 26, 2008 9:38:54 AM
More like Pushing Dasies, Like it, although the best humorous anti DUI ads still are the car full of booze that the cops use for their crackdowns. Still well played, not quite vince and larry but the ad council is getting some of their mojo back for making PSAs that don't preach and get the message across stone cold.
Posted by: glenn | Nov 26, 2008 10:58:15 AM
These are good ads. A bit of funny with disturbing; I mean, the drunks do end up crying at the end (or at least showing some remorse). I could not stand the ads with the cars full of booze. They just seemed gross. These ones, the expressions on the doctors and paramedics when the guy says he was just buzzed, for a second or two looks like they are going to beat him up. Anyhow, nicely done. The ads just make the point. Best, and keep on blogging.
Posted by: Angel | Nov 26, 2008 12:31:02 PM
