I must admit that I was late in switching on to the TV show “Mad Men” but now I am well and truly hooked on it, and frantically catching up on the first four series before series 5 hits the screens.
Without trying to sound to matcho, Don Draper has got to be regarded in all male eyes as a hero, and some of his work is not that bad either.
For non viewers of the show, Don is the main character, and partner in a 60’s advertising agency in New York, which brings it own rewards, as well as being able to work on the advertising campaigns for some of the large corporations.
Now say what you like about Don, but no matter how low you think he has sunk I doubt it if he would have worked on the Eircom Broadband radio ad I heard for the first time yesterday.
The ad plays out as follows.
Jim: eircom support, Jim speaking.
Customer: Jim, my kids are studying for their exams, it is costing me a bomb.
Jim: Ah, I see.
Customer: Yeah, and well it looks like the dog is going to have to go.
(Sound effects of the dog whimpering.)
Jim: Ah no, you do know as an eircom broadband customer you get free junior and
leaving cert video tutorials online with eircom studyhub, covering 24 subjects.
Why oh why do Eircom feel the need to promote their broadband service as being cheaper to purchase than the annual cost of keeping a dog ?
We all see the adverts on the general classified websites advertising animals and especially dogs, in some cases free, due to financial situations having been altered.
I’m sure if Eircom had somebody of Mr. Drapers caliber in their advertising agency, they could have used the same concept, but in true Don style changed the line that is offensive to any responsible dog owner, to something like, “Yeah, and well it looks like the wife is going to have to go”
Shame on you Eircom for falling prey to the general demographic of dog ownership in Ireland, whereby when times get tough , the much loved “Family Dog” is the first victim.
Go on the Don !
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