Diapers, detergents and deodorants

Sigappu lolakku kulungudhu kulungudhu.....
He: Wow! These earrings are nice.
She: Why shouldn't they be? They are a gift
He: A gift? But I didn't get you any earrings?
She: When did I say you got them?
He: Then who?
She: As if there can't be anyone else is my life except you!
He: Tell me, who? (pleads)
She: Your son! (ha ha ha, fades into the background)
Narrator: Now, you can buy whatever you want with the savings that your infant baby can make for you. For, a set of two diapers costs just Rs.15.
This is a radio ad made by the largest consumer product company that claims to have fully understood the consumer, and can strike an emotional cord with the audience. The same guys who (i) made the little boy feel inadequate because his toothpaste had 2 less so-called-good-properties than their product,
(ii) made all the girls in India feel that brown is unattractive, and being fair is the only way to self-confidence, a great career, and obviously a handsome boyfriend,
(iii) made two cute little kids go ga-ga over one inane brand being re-branded as another (Mom, I have good news and bad news for you - The bad news: Brand 1 is no longer available (shudder, shudder - the world comes to a standstill), and the good news - the same product is now available as Brand 2 (and the world is happy again) Duh!
(iv) let the world know that body odour is the greatest turn-off, less-than-perfect white clothes cost you a promotion, dandruff is the next greatest turn-off, the list goes on!

Can someone please tell them that they need not sell their products by making people feel inadequate?

Comments

Maddy said…
Somehow HUL thinks it knows precisely what moves the Indian customer. I find their ads extremely overdone.

A proud mom looking at the son talking about a 6 pack surf excel, an extremely worried mom thinking about dryness in daughter's hair, etc. Really Really overdone. Would love to know what others think..
August 4, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Dhananjay said…
But isn't it that the best way to sell things is to bring out the fear in you. The fear of being not being accepted, the fear of being different.
Why only consumer goods, doesn't it happen everywhere? From the Political arena in Delhi to our homes. Don't mom's scare their kids by saying if you don't brush your teeth, someone will take away your teeth in night. Doesn't the congress tell people that if they don't vote for them the communal BJP will come to power or vice versa by BJP.
Isn't it fear pyschology all over? And speaking of HLL or now HUL, they have done well for themselves in India. Most of their ads and brands have decent recall amongst the consumers.
August 5, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Anonymous said…
hey! The ad agencies too should share the blame for this.
g
August 5, 2008 at 5:45 AM
Nirav said…
Heh... I guess the Lifebuoy ads (Tandurusti ki raksha...) are the only saving grace then.

Didn't know you had started blogging
August 5, 2008 at 10:09 PM
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