Scottish anti-independence ad goes "bad" viral #PatronisingBTlady

Last one. This is too funny. @_Pandy storyboards #PatronisingBTLady ad. @robertflorence pic.twitter.com/Oq4IsIqSVs
— James Lees (@jamesvsburger) August 26, 2014

You might wonder what they were thinking.

The "no" movement in the Scottish independence referendum, Better Together, recently released this video ad featuring a woman soliloquizing at home after sending off her husband and kids:



Almost immediately, a backlash began. Under the hashtag #PatronisingBTlady, an explosion of memes started circulating to criticize the gendered clichés around a stay-at-home housewife who finds politics confusing:

Perfect summary of the new @UK_Together campaign video. Targeted at woman - but so patronising? #PatronisingBTLady pic.twitter.com/FePthazKYB
— Greg indyref (@YesIndyref) August 26, 2014

MISSING: Brow-beaten male, late 30s-early 40s, last seen in Co-op buying "Ricicles"... #indyref #PatronisingBTLady pic.twitter.com/uEUIp6nZ4s
— Oisean (@OssiansDream) September 1, 2014

Better Together's new ad sees ridicule and #PatronisingBTLady meme backlash on Twitter http://t.co/UIZHIv16M0 pic.twitter.com/1J8njhFIXw
— The Drum (@TheDrum) August 27, 2014

I had to… #PatronisingBTLady pic.twitter.com/oCOEimOgHU
— CakeQuestEdin (@CakeQuestEdin) August 26, 2014

The viral activity has since spilled over into mainstream media in the UK. However, the people behind the campaign defend it:

Despite the fact the film has created a vociferous internet response punctuated by a series of caustic retaliatory memes, campaign director Blair McDougall has defended the piece’s cinematic integrity. McDougall suggests the piece is flavored with social realism. 

The ad uses words“taken verbatim from conversations on doorstops with undecided women voters,”and from the“opinion of women in dozens of focus groups around the country,”he claimed. While the ad has heightened the campaign’s profile considerably, the precise nature of publicity it has garnered may not be warmly welcomed.

Certainly, there are individual women in Scotland who resemble the stereotype. But does that mean it's something that should be reinforced in a national advertising campaign?

Scottish social anthropologist (and "Yes" man) weighed in with a meme of his own:

#patronisingBTlady #indyref pic.twitter.com/shpcb5vt8O
— Michael Swann (@notarealswan) August 26, 2014

But the real question is whether this ad will sway any voters. And moreover, which way will it sway them?

Putin-branded beer is "#NotForGays"

brewdog.com

In an amusing contribution to discussions about Russia's legalized homophobia and the Sochi Winter Olympics, a Scottish craft brewery has launched a beer that takes pot shots at the Russian President.

From their blog:

Hello, my name is Vladimir. I am a beer for uber hetero men who ride horses while topless and carrying knives. I am a beer to mark the 2014 Winter Olympics. But I am not for gays. Love wrestling burly men on the Judo mat or fishing in your Speedos? Then this is the beer for you!

brewdog.com

Complete with faux-Warhol portraits of Vladimir Putin, the campaign for the limited edition beer has taken to Twitter with the spoof hashtag #notforgays

@brewdog 10/10.
— Master of Malt (@MasterOfMalt) February 4, 2014

All report of subversion in bar are lie from homosexual media. Morale strong like President's bare torso. #NotForGays pic.twitter.com/fRb1E6KQC3
— BrewDog Camden (@BrewDogCamden) February 4, 2014

The Russian Consulate didn't want the beer I brought them so I just left it on their doorstep #NotForGays @brewdog pic.twitter.com/aDAjFk3iA2
— Calvin McDonald (@CalvinMcD) February 4, 2014

On a serious note, the brewery writes:

The sick, twisted legislation brought about in Russia that prevents people from living their true lives is something we didn't want to just sit back and not have an opinion on. Our core beliefs are freedom of expression, freedom of speech and a dogged (no pun intended) passion for doing what we love. Thus, we are donating 50% of the profits from this beer to charitable organisations that support like minded individuals wishing to express themselves freely without prejudice.

H/T The Drum

Scottish soft drink parodies two competitors at once with "Fanny" cans

Via The Drum

Scottish soft drink brand Irn-Bru is known for its cheeky ads. So when a UK competitor launched a drink called "Pussy," I imagine they took it as a challenge.

With "Fanny" cans, Irn-Bru is also taking a shot at a European Coca-Cola campaign that puts popular first names on cans. (For those unaware, "Fanny" is UK slang for female genitals.)

Via NPR

Yeah, it's all a joke. There are no immediate plans to roll out the Fanny cans in retail. But it's a good bit of lighthearted meta-marketing online.

It's not even the first time Irn-Bru has made a Fanny gag. This spot is from last year:

Can you drink your way out of Scottish nationalism?

This spot for Scotland's Irn Bru was named "Ad of The Day" by Scottish ad blog The Drum. Created by The Leith Agency in Edinburgh, it features a proud Scot trying to get through meeting his daughter's obnoxious English boyfriend.



I had assumed that this was an ad for beer. It's not. Irn Bru is actually a soft drink. With the day Dad's having, facing his worst ethnocentric fears, I might have recommended something a wee bit stronger...

"Get your hole" at Krispy Kreme, Scotland?

Please, somebody from Scotland explain to me how this is not as awkward as I think it is.

As far as Google can tell me, "get your hole" is exactly as dirty as it sounds, at least in Scotland and Ireland. 

Previously in donuts as sex objects: Awkward Toronto Branding: Glory Hole Doughnuts

Via The Drum (Facebook)

Have a butcher's* at the sexploitation campaign of the day

*Butcher's Hook

Every morning, I get up early and enjoy some quiet time reading adblogs. Because the European ones are several hours ahead of me, it means I can get on top of the news before my second cup of coffee. Unfortunately, it also sometimes results in me hating being in advertising before I even get to the office.

Today was one of those days.

Full-size JPEG here

This rather disappointing campaign by BJL, featured in The Drum, is for Rustler's meat snacks. It features Lexi O’Leary (a fictional "butcher's daughter" who has her own Facebook profile) as a brainless sex toy fond of making naughty puns. Well... mostly brainless: The Facebook bio claims she's trilingual.

Full-size JPEG here

From The Drum:

John Armstrong, Rustlers marketing director, said: “Fit As A Butcher’s Daughter will dispel some of the negatives in a manner that will not only appeal to our target market of 16 to 24-year-old males but will also engage people who may not have tried the brand due to their misconceptions."

Full-size JPEG here

Misconceptions? How about the misconception that oversexed women lounge around in their underwear, just waiting for a zitty 17-year-old boy to give her a good boning?

It gets worse. In an interactive video, you can apparently edit her potty mouth. I couldn't be bothered.

There's a virtual butcher shop, too. And a TV campaign that won't load for me.

The one thing I am intrigued about is this expression, "Fit as a butcher's daughter". Is this a UK thing? I can't find it anywhere online.

Siri hates the Scots

"The best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley!!!"

Voice recognition is an awkward thing. After reading that the new iPhone's digital assistant can't understand Scottish accents, YouTube comic thegavin2000 (actually :"Godfather of hipsterdom" Gavin McInnes - see below) made this wee parody:



Via BoingBoing