Thursday 1 January 2009

Pieces of Advertising Material That Have Recently Annoyed Me: Part Four of at Least Three.

This is an extraordinary one. The first time I saw this billboard, I literally spluttered. Yes, spluttered, like a man who has recently employed Frank Spencer to carry out a simple manual task, and has just returned to see what sort of a fist he's made of it. Sorry about the poor quality photo, but not as sorry as I am about the poor quality advert:



All together now: Yes it is! It is absolutely Christmas if it is not Young's. In fact I would go so far as to say it's not Christmas if it is Young's. Because Young's make Scampi Kievs!

Meals that are less Christmassy than Scampi Kievs: 
  • Gruel. 
  • Chopped liver and matzoh balls 
  • Fricassee of Rudolph.
  • That's it. 
Honestly, it's bad enough watching Magners try to convince us that cider is a drink particularly associated with every single season of the year, but this is worse. What interests and appalls me about it most is: who do Young's think they're going to convince with this hoarding? Who is so titanically gullible, and also so chronically insecure about getting Christmas right that they'll see this and think 'Oh no! I had no idea! I've got the turkey, the sprouts, the pudding, the brandy butter, and the mince pies, but I haven't got any Young's Scampi Kievs to put in the children's stockings! Christmas is ruined!' Presumably someone with absolutely no conception of what Christmas is, but who is very eager to appear as if they do. Is 'Third Rock From The Sun' still going? Those guys. That's who Young's are targetting this Christmas. I hope the strategy worked out for them. 

 

7 comments:

Persephone said...

Actually, judging from the holiday programming available here in Canada, it would seem that gruel is just about the most Christmassy thing there is. The reasoning here seems to be: "Hmmmn. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, didn't he? So, let's show The Old Curiosity Shop and Oliver Twist! Hours of holiday fun!"

The Resident Fan Boy and I had a hysterical giggle over your post this morning. Thanks so much!

John Finnemore said...

You're welcome! I'm curious, though - of whom is the Resident Fan Boy a resident fan?

John Soanes said...

I saw that advert in my manor (guv), and was utterly bewildered by it - I assume they've had to cut back on advertising revenue and are outsourcing it to Venusians, who had no idea how the puny humans eat at certain times of the year...
J

Persephone said...

...of whom is the Resident Fan Boy a resident fan?

Of the Doctor -- who else? Although I have reason to believe he's reasonably fond of me...

Marjorie said...

Fricasse of Rudolph is surely a totally christmassy meal. (Or maybe a Boxing Day meal)

Abi said...

Further, oughtn't those be refrigerated? Although "food poisoning from scampi that's been hanging near the fire for a while" may be an essential part of the Young's Alternate Christmas Tradition.

Edward Jones Jnr said...

AFFORDABLE LOAN OFFER

Are you financially down? Do you need a loan to start up business or pay off bills? we offer all kinds of financial assistance to every individuals "Business loan and personal loan, for investment, debt consolidation and house purchase etc." we will be willing to offer you the loan. Offer is affordable at an interest rate of 2%; this Funding program allows our client to enjoy low interest payback for as low as 2% per annul for a period of 2 months - 50 years. We can approve a loan/funding for a minimum of 5,000.00 up to 20,000,000.00 depending on the nature of business. but before we can proceed with the loan..Do contact us now via : {jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com}