Hogging the Ovaltine has its consequences
This spec tale of a kid who comes home to an empty house and finds a note that his parents have left because he hogged the Ovaltine sets my nerves on edge. Yes, it's over the top and not meant to be taken too seriously. Yet, it stirs up the universal fear of abandonment, and positions Ovaltine 180 degrees away from its traditional "comfort" zone. Instead of providing chocolaty reassurance, it associates the brand with discomfort and anxiety. What marketer wants consumers reacting to one its commercials by phoning their therapists? If Nesquik cared, they could rapid-respond with a spot where the bunny promises to stick with kids no matter what. Quik tastes better anyway. Maybe if Ovaltine reduced its sugar content, those parents in the spot wouldn't have been so hyper and run off. |
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April 8, 2009 in Gianatasio, Ovaltine | Permalink |
Comments
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A shorter ad would have stayed punchy without feeling creepy. Even at 45 seconds, the scenes of the empty rooms are what make the joke uncomfortable instead of funny.
Posted by: urban bohemian | Apr 8, 2009 7:54:21 AM
@Urban Bohemian: Yeah, it could be a lot shorter.
Posted by: Rebecca Cullers | Apr 8, 2009 12:47:34 PM
Nesquik and Ovaltine are both owned by Nestle.
Posted by: reader101 | Apr 8, 2009 2:58:31 PM
About as off brand as one could be. How can you go from a heritage of happy, fun (and health/wholesomeness) to this? Totally wrong.
Creatively indulgent, brand disaster.
Posted by: in the game | Apr 8, 2009 4:29:10 PM
in US nestle licenses ovaltine, which technically is owned by a company in the UK. all the MORE reason for bunny to attack! nothing's as milky-sour as corporate in-fighting, eh?
Posted by: daveg | Apr 8, 2009 6:43:19 PM
