KBP delivers further proof advertising sucks!

There's a post over on Agency Spy about a truly fucking awful TV spot produced by KBP for the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. It is so bad, it's fucking embarrassing to watch. But if you do want to see it, don't go over to the YouTube link the spy posts on the site, as the video has now been taken down... Does this mean someone at KBP is so ashamed of this fucking travesty they've removed it from public view. Or are they keeping it under wraps for a surprise Cannes entry. Anyway, it's still up on Agency Spy. Check it out, but have a fucking bucket handy for when you throw up.

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They said I could either watch the KBP spot or shoot my cat!

Comments

[Studio Maven]

I also worked at this bastion of excellence. Soon as they sold out, off went the cranial switches and they lost clients in droves. At their anniversary party a few back, they hired these human skeleton models (dental floss in a skirt) to pose with the founders for some publicity shots. Was ill for weeks. Can't we just gather up your ardent followers and create our own fucking agency? "We suck, you're assholes, just give us your money".

[Studio Maven]

Makes me want to lose money I don't have.

[Auntie Christ]

I stifled my gag reflex the three or four times I saw this on air, which is three or four times too often, by the way. It doesn't even try to be ironic. It's just....sad. What outrageous salary do they pay the CD responsible?

[Studio Maven]

As seen in today's LA Times:

Somewhere, a TiVo is crying and wishing he could drink a scotch
straight up.

-Monica Corcoran, on a new reality show starring Lindsay Lohan's mother

Was there a catastrophic nationwide radiation leak that I somehow slept through?

[TheRadOne]

Studio Maven = Bitter ex-agency person. Suddenly it all makes sense. If want to trash the work, go for it. But get yer facts straight. Company wasn't sold till late last year, among other things.

Now for the larger question: what kind of ads are GOOD? All we read on hear is bashing and mean-spiritedness. Gets old.

[Anonymous Bosch]

No self-respecting agency sells itself only once.
Even public ones come in and out of public ownership.
The great Mary Wells went public, went private, and finished up selling to BDDP (which brings up a question to me: what does KBP stand for, the letters I mean?).

[Auntie Christ]

RadOne: Sea hear, don't come hear if you don't want to here about sum bad adds. George putts up the posts and wee respond. Bye the weigh, learn to fucking spell.

Bosch: Kirshenbaum Bond and Partners.

[TheRadOne]

Bosch: Seriously? That's the best you can do? Come on now.

I like that we have a chance to review the ads, but my question still remains: what do people like around here? There is so much vile and harsh critique here and on other blogs that it makes me question what the idea of "good" is.

Fair question, I think.

[TheRadOne]

Sorry, my comment was for Auntie Christ, not Bosch. Sorry Bosch.

I still would like an answer to my question though.

[Auntie Christ]

Read the banner at the top of the page, RadOne. If you want to start your own blog on how wonderful the world of advertising is, go for it. I don't think you'd get much traffic, though.

[TheRadOne]

Okay, will do. Peace.

[Studio Maven]

70% of agency was sold several years ago (appx. 2003) to MDC for 70 or 75 million dollars, with no controlling interest. The remainder was sold last year.

I didn't lose all their clients with no or little replacement, they did. I don't hire CDs that literally have people change hours worth of work to "add 2 percent more yellow" at two in the morning (actual occurance). Didn't get paid for the OT and had to beg for some stale Chinese food.

Of course I'm bitter. I've been repeatedly lied to, stolen from and forced to work extremely long hours with no fair compensation and so have my friends. This has happened to me in three of the larger agencies in NYC. It is why I work for a private firm that employs people who know what their doing and pay them for it. If you're good, you stay, if you suck no amount of rectal servitude will save you (JUST LIKE NATURE INTENDED). Privately firms are returning and all you lemmings are gonna be staring at tumbleweed.

You can bend over and face New Jersey all you like, but count me out.

[Auntie Christ]

By the way, what did you think of the spot?

[Auntie Christ]

By the way, what did you think of the spot?

[Auntie Christ]

Typepad snafu. I'm not yelling at you....

[Studio Maven]

BDAs are dead in the water. If I can infinitesimally exacerbate the drowning, my sense of accomplishment will know no bounds. Many are learning not to work for BDAs, many are learning not to engage their services. The work can be had much cheaper and much better elsewhere.

Anyone who criticizes someone for standing up for what is fair and right is cowardly, naive and part of the problem. Do you only stand up when your interests are involved?

[not a sucker]

Aww, look at you poor lil losers, arguing over the quality of a TV spot. Guess what? TV commercials are dead. Get digital or get out.

Arguing about the quality of this spot, is like arguing about how to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic, post iceberg collision.

IT DONT MATTA!

[Studio Maven]

It's not about the spot. It is about the "culture" of the pompous and unskilled, enslaving the average working Joe/Jane, who get less and less. They get more and more, while shoving sunshine up your ass as to how great things are and will be. Do you think that these same problems are not and will not occur in the digital realm? Your salary will diminish and your expenses will grow to the point that you are living paycheck to paycheck. While your asshole enslavers cavort in Cannes and the like. No fucking way.

[Auntie Christ]

Internet ad spending is between 8 and 9% of total. I don't think TV is down for the count any time soon. Creating Web banners must be pretty exciting for a creative, especially when they take their cue from the offline work, LIKE TELEVISION AND PRINT.

Take a breath, Maven. Sucker's fairy avatar will fly away soon.

[Studio Maven]

Not known for that, but I will try. Just attempting to keep the flies off my food.

[Sean Harrington]

Thanks George. After viewing the commercial no matter how little I actually accomplish today I will feel productive!

[LimitedTimeOffer]

That spot was utter tripe and the arguments in its defense are specious at best.

[popgoestheweasel]

Having reviewed this singing and going down the drain "spot", and currenting fighting my own battles of what constitutes advertising that, er, blows. I stand firm in my conviction that even the stinkiest piece of manky, rotting dead dog carcas on the edge of an Alabaman highway in mid August rates as high cusine compared to the 30 seconds of my life I've jsut wasted watching the clip on Agency Spy.

[Studio Maven]

Very well said. When I see something like this commercial I will go to the greatest lengths possible to avoid the product at all costs. If even the crows won't eat it...

[Steve Feinberg]

So, back to the spot.
As always, my (sick) fascination is trying to reconstruct how travesties like this come to be.

My guess is that this one of those concepts that started out ironic and ended up moronic instead. Agency creatives live and breathe irony, and use it to try to distance themselves from the crasser aspects of their job. But clients tend to live in an irony-free zone, and don't understand the idea that trilling copy points to "Superfreak" is supposed to be a goof.
The result: a spot in the tonality death zone--neither sincere nor campy, just awful.

[PUD]

I can't really add much (or anything to this discourse), but I will say that it's amazing that any self respecting marketing person would defend this spot -- or the agency that did it. And, saying that most media is shifting to digital is a ridiculous argument, because that is just a media choice. The strategy, the ideas and the execution can stink to high heaven be it in print, broadcast, radio, online, mobile, outdoor, whatever.

This was one of the worst ads I have seen in a long time. And that is saying a lot, given the sorry state of advertising of late(e.g., Sales Genie during the recent Super Bowl!) But, I still maintain that the recent "Viva Viagra" spot for Pfizer takes the crown as the Worst Spot of the Past Year! Anyone disagree with that?!

[Studio Maven]

Better than c'est la Cialis.

[Studio Maven]

Whatever can't pee will be.

[The Kaiser (who's name is really Marcus Brown - just so you know and don't piss on Parker because I]

That really is rather awful isn't it?

[theo kie]

Not a sucker...while I'm a big proponent of "digital" leading the way, that's not the point. The point is the horrendous quality of the work, and this extends into the precious digital world every bit as much as old-hat forms like the television :30.

The most common complaint I get from both the client and digital "agency" side is that too many of creatives working online or in social networking or wherever can't (or don't) think strategically. Come up with a wacky idea, sure? But have it make sense in a business perspective? Not so much. It's bringing both together that produces great work.

For the moment, this one-sided fling with "just get noticed" flies because clients have yet to persuade themselves they know enough to do the work themselves. That day will come soon enough. Just as most clients believe they could do their own television commercials or print ads, poor quality work will soon enough have clients digital thinking they can do the same.

[not a sucker]

To all:

I think you misunderstood me. And your misunderstanding makes my very point.

45% of people have a DVR and NO ONE watches commercials anymore. If you own a DVR and watch commercials, its due to your lack of understanding of how to use it.

Brand strategy will no longer, and is no longer the purview of the MASS agency. The best brand work is at it's core based on key customer insights, and one key insight is that people DONT WANT TO WATCH YOUR COMMERCIALS!

However, the industry's lack of understanding about the first and only 2-way real-time communication stream, means that as DVR penetration skyrockets, and commercials are no longer viable, digital brand agencies will be driving the bus.

In fact, if the old school direct agencies get their shit together and get a core interactive/strategy expert team, they'd be better set being a brand agency than you dinosaur losers.

peace out.

[theo kie]

You're right, not a sucker, consumer insights are everything. But you miss my point in focusing on what is, essentially, media discussion, new as that media may be.

I've had major clients say they wished digital shops understood how consumer insights dovetail with business strategy as well as traditional agencies. Those same clients felt traditional agencies hadn't a clue how social networking, online, WOM, viral and other non-traditional efforts work.

So the question of survival is a two-edged sword. Who can show clients they understand how to best use new media in a way that truly puts consumer insights to work? Which is more quickly mastered, how new media can reach consumers? Or how consumer insights become relevant, brand-building creative?

The race, as they say, is on.

[Auntie Christ]

Sucker: 45% of people have DVRs? Where did you get that number? It seems exceedingly high to me.

You know, your comments would be taken more seriously IF YOU WEREN'T SUCH AN ARROGANT PUTZ. The dinosaurs you reference created the industry you're in, and if it weren't for them, their marketing expertise and business savvy, you wouldn't be riding your razor scooter around the office with your shirt tail out. I'm sure the shelf in your 4x5 cubicle is just packed with awards, too.

Guess we should all pack up or tents now and live off the Social Security that you and your Red Bull swilling pals contribute out of your paychecks. Seems you're the only one here who knows which way the wind is blowing and what to do with it once you catch it. Peace out.

[the lower depths]

i have a DVR, 2 in fact.

i stop and watch a commercial if it is compelling, humorous, visually arresting or has some good message. in short, if it's good in the general sense. i am well acquainted with the wizardry used to get past them. i exercise that right judiciously.

that mohegan sun spot blew trilobite chunks. the idea was stupid and the execution was poor. the copywriter, if still among the living, should hang his head low and wait at the back of the kool-aid line, watching everyone else expire first, knowing he caused their deaths.

i have never gone back to a web banner or "viral" spot being dropped in my tracks by it's visual majesty, unfaltering delivery of insight or unerring grasp of the brand ethos. i have admired a few and moved on, like most TV spots.

i have laughed my ass off at the very weak comments defending bad work and diverting attention from bad content to new package for bad content, i.e.; viability of digital v. traditional.

crap, in whatever newspaper you wrap it up in, is still crap.

[George Parker]

Lower Depths... Wow... Fucking Wow... That was like a red hot poker to the guts... And well done, I am more than happy to say. "trilobite chunks." Is fucking masterful. When I retire and move on to hosting the "Burning AdScam" festival in the Idaho desert, I shall pass the mantle of managing the world's best "Piss and Vinegar" blog over to you. Do not let me down in this awesome task.
Cheers/George

[the lower depths]

crap. now you've made me blush.

[blah blah]

not a sucker:

Absolutely right.

And this is not about media or packaging. Its about traditional agencies having no understanding that what they output is no longer viable.

You need great strategy first, and yet, if you cant execute because you fail to grasp the new communication stream you have fuck all.

Brand Strategy agencies that can execute in all channels, but truly understand why digital is so different and why 2 way communication is the future, will be the only survivors.

Ill be drinking Red Bull with Not a Sucker in my cubicle, while you bitches are out trying to pretend you knew how to do this stuff all along, and get jobs.

[theo kie]

"You need great strategy first, and yet, if you cant execute because you fail to grasp the new communication stream you have fuck all."

Very true. Likewise, if you can't execute because you fail to grasp consumer insights and execut them in a way relevant (to the consumer, not you), then you have just as much fuck all.

Before anyone sits smirking in their cubicles, let's remember – during the next 10 to 25 years (your entire careers), the aging Boomer generation will quickly become the country's most economically dominant audience. I hope all the "fuck them old dudes" types are can relate to prune juice as well as they can their Red Bulls.

[theo kie]

Sorry. Bad typo crap going on in that last one.

[old dude]

Hey, don't worry about us Boomers.

Guess what- some of us know how to use the internet and avoid commercials.

Our grandkids show us how!

[the lower depths]

once more into the breach, etc...

new media, old media, not yet invented media...

it's a delivery mechanism. if you keep treating IT as the answer, you've missed the point (again).

people want to annoyed on the web exactly as much as they want to be annoyed watching Sanford and Son: not at all. it's always been about a good idea backed by good execution and always will be.

drink all the Red Bulls you want in whatever cubicle you inhabit at the time, if you churn out crap like that Mohegan Sun spot in what ever media you choose, you have still churned out crap. the media does not validate the work. ever.