I'm a bit of a coffee snob, but that's about origin, and whether it's organic, shade-grown and Fairtrade. Instead, most "gourmet" coffee chains prefer to make consumers think they're getting a better cup by using Italian and fake-Italian terms on the menu.
Debenhams department store in the UK has had enough of that nonsense. After a customer survey told them that 70% found the coffee menu confusing, they dropped the continental pretentions and chose to promote a plain English version:
Not only is it a nice, socially-responsible consumer ad. It's also well-targeted and pushes forward a single-minded message that experienced moms choose their product.
Okay, you can tell me that disposable diapers aren't socially responsible. But I'm not convinced washing and bleaching cloth ones is all that much more enviro. Disagree with me if you want (I know my very baby-experienced sister does) but it's still a good ad.
What makes a "real" woman? Cooking for her family, of course!
At least according to this promotion from Kraft:
Well, okay. It's pretty traditional niche marketing aimed at women: a recipe contest. No different from Pillsbury bake-offs from days gone by, but now socialized on Web 2.0.
This is hardly the kind of apolitical, nicey-nice brand association a big wheel like Kraft would want to muck about with. But there it is. Probably an unfortunate accident, when they adapted the "Real Housewives" reality show theme.
On the other hand, though, "Real Women of Canada" have been around since the '80s. I remember them from the time when more and more women were entering the workforce. How could they miss that, when going through the legal and Google hoops copywriters and client legal departments go through to secure a trademark?
RWoC didn't have any issues stealing the U.S. Girl Scouts logo, though...
Maybe they're trying to take back the "real women" tag, but I doubt it. I think it's just lazy research and an unfortunate coincidence between a contest the reinforces women's exclusive role in the kitchen and an organization that wants to keep them there.
That said, the hosts seem like nice non-crazy people:
The top entries so far (99% of which I assume were offered by my fellow men) are:
The raspberry cave, Liltulip, Lady gaga, Penis flytrap, Falangee, Vagibagi, Sashimi, Vaginator, Nether regions, La vajajay, Bananajaja, Stikkio, Vagillow, Chachina, Vajingi, Dr muffenstein, Forrie, Jabba the hutt, Farfy, Savvanah the sexi, Boof, Wahola, My little, Pakangkang, Spencer, Flamoush, Super, Pusspuss, Pussalinda, Fisse, The beach, Guhther, Gobbleitallup, Ginee, Hoo nanny, Sweet pie, Picika, Flimflam, Jungle, Jackpot, Blueberry, Love shack, Pink kryptonite, Down stairs, My love nub, Fupa, Far south, Picza, Ninny ninny nine no nu, Fanny long stockings, Off limits, Mc lovin', Candy, Cherry, Minnie the moocher, Fenella, High china, Poom, Mervis, Loo lah, Chochi, Zina princess warrior, Slug of love, Minnie ha ha, Tiffany, Geoff, Pa-cha-cha, Love bits, Milkshake, Felma, Vageesh, Moobies, Smurfette, Foef, The mouse's ear, The furry cup, Lady star, Fica, Lovesump, Ferlangee, Mucka, Woobie, Minney, The last supper, Whisker biscuit, Anne fan fanny, Bit, Foofie g, Mrs tickle, The place of no return, Basket, Funini, Place of business, Cavern of secrets, My ladybeak, Perrechooo, My delta love cave, Pink lotus, Wikerty splikerty, Fru fru :), Hairy cup, Pooey tooey, "v" reg, Pookey, Foufoune, My girlfriend, Lisbeth, Vertical smilenot, My netherlands, Firecrotch, Constance, Billie va-jean, Nou-nou, Pansy, Tropical flower, Platypussy... and literally hundreds more.
Effective user engagement, or just puerile fun? Only their sales will tell.
AdFreak posted this campaign by Air New Zealand. It's part furry, part French stereotype, and all double entendre:
Don't forget, this is the airline that had its crews strip down to body paint last year. Is there something wrong with just trying to promote yourself with decent service and edible food?
