Friday, May 1, 2009

Advertising and culture BUNK MAR

"Fanta ka signal loud, bunking is allowed!" is a current TV commercial by the coca cola company. (click here to see their commercials, including the Fanta advertisement). In a press release, the company says its "...is all about having fun & taking a break from the monotonous moments of life." Perhaps being in academics all my life has clouded my judgement, but to me the most obvious meaning of the phrase is that it tells students its ok to bunk classes. Don't get me wrong I am not your average intellectual- anti-MNC, anti-Cola - kind of guy. But I do wonder why no one ever takes offence to such advertisements?

Other such advertisements i have noticed.

  1. July 2002 saw the launch of a premium brand of petrol SPEED from Hindustan Petroleum, followed by advertising that promotes "SPEED". Seems like a rather dangerous thing to promote on Indian Roads.
  2. Several bevrage ads show celebrities stealing the drink right off a delivery van, rather than buying them. I wonder if I stole some beverage, can I defend my actions saying that I was only doing what they advertised I should do? Or does the disclaimer at the bottom saying that the stunts were performed by experts and I should NOT try it...apply to this?