Monday, September 19, 2016

Funny Ad or Failure?

Have you seen that Geico commercial about the lemonade stand where everyone who comes up to it asks “Ice tea?” and they’re told, “Nope, lemonade.”? Well… I wasn’t getting it. Thought the people were idiots (and maybe the advertisers, too). It was clearly lemonade. Why would they ask if it was iced tea?

Then Hubby pointed out that the man on the commercial is IceT. D’oh! Now I get the ad. Now I laugh when I see it.

But is an ad that has to be explained an effective ad? I’m thinking no. I thought Geico had lost their mind, so how many others think the same thing?

I’m so glad I can zip through the commercials during the shows I record. Unfortunately, when you watch live sports, you’re stuck with seeing them.

Speaking (okay, writing) of sports… The Wayne High School football team easily won Friday night (after an hour lightning delay), Ohio State played awesome on Saturday, Steelers are playing the way we love to watch them play, and even the Rams won their welcome-back-home game. Yay! Wonderful winning weekend. Hope it continues.

On Friday I ate breakfast before walking to the fitness center. That worked so much better and I’ll continue doing that, as long as the weather allows it. I like to walk outside (and getting my 10K steps), but not in the rain or temps much below 50. I may be crazy, but I’m not that crazy!

So… Do you think an ad that has to be explained an effective ad or a flop?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

8 comments:

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Every ad reaches a niche. Yeah?

Stacy McKitrick said...

Mac - I suppose. I just didn't realize football was a niche for IceT. :)

Maria Zannini said...

You weren't the demographic the ad company was trying to reach. It probably would've gone over my head too.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Maria - I guess Geico is looking for old rapper fans, huh?

Jennette Marie Powell said...

LOL I've seen that ad, and I never paid enough attention to recognize IceT. But I got the one where the kids were playing Marco Polo with Marco Polo. I don't think these are among their more effective ads.

Go Steelers!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Steeler fan! You rock.
I thought the commercial was funny, but I've seen Ice T in enough movies and stuff that I knew who he was.

JeffO said...

Confession--never seen the commercial in question, though I *do* know who Ice T is. The question I have is if you are the target market for that ad--if you are, and you don't know who Ice T is (and if you are representative of the target market), then I'd call the ad a fail. Pass or fail, it's got to be better than the caveman commercials, right?

I remember once a couple years back being surprised at a Geico ad that wasn't with the lizard, and then noticing how many different ad campaigns they seemed to be running at a time. They must have one heck of an advertising budget.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jennette - I guess they are effective in that we know it's Geico though, huh? Heck, most commercials are pretty dumb anyway, aren't they?

Alex - Yep, I married a Steeler fan and became one myself, even though I grew up loving the Rams. At least they're not in the same conference!

Jeff - Oh goodness, how I hate those caveman ads. They still show those, too! Yep, big budget. Wonder if they could spare a million or two? **holding hand out**