I’ll start by saying I have an extreme aversion to commercials. I pretty much do whatever I can to avoid them, along with malls, Disneyland et al. and Hallmark holidays. So maybe this is just hitting me a little hard since I haven’t built up enough immunity to tasteless PR gimmicks.
But seriously. Seriously? Seriously?!?!?!?
Exhibit 1. Kenneth Cole. The ever suave and edgy designer thinks it’s OK to promote a new spring line off the backs of Egyptian protesters. Oh come on, he implies, it was just a joke. Lighten up. Wake up, asshat. Not funny.
Exhibit 2. Groupon. Well I have never heard of them before, so I don’t know if they are supposed to be funny or edgy or what. They bring together two totally unrelated things, and try to make some kind of joke out of it. Sorry. Didn’t get it. Didn’t find it funny at all. I’m probably not worldly enough to appreciate this high art.
Exhibit 3. The Girl Store. Yet another example of how to dehumanize people and use them as props to further your (and, in this case, supposedly their) cause. That sleazy intro is just a gimmick, you know, an attention grabber. It’s OK to use a child trafficking theme if it’s for a good cause, right? What? “Buy a girl before someone else does?” Um. Resounding “no.” No. No. No.
Apparently bad taste is better than no taste. Stay classy, folks. All of you. Glad I never bought any of your stuff.
(Going to go re-read “This is for my Corporates: #4 People are not Props” out loud while I sulk in my little corner). Gaaaaah.
Shotgun Shack 