Now I have seen the broadcast and the print ads and I will let you be the judge, but coming from my frame of reference they are offensive. Playing on two issues that need to be taken seriously, Mental Illness and Stalking! There is nothing funny about either subject and to make them the but of a joke is both stigmatizing and potentially very dangerous!
This is one of the broadcast ads…
Here’s the second broadcast ad…
These are much more effective than the print ads however the print campaign has an unlimited reach with the passing around of books and copies….
These ads are inappropriate and concerning considering most people who I bring this up to think I am over reacting.
One friend pointed out that it could be a good warning to the public to consider what can happen if you post your life to the internet. Sure that could be a good point… However I somehow don’t think that is what Virgin Mobile USA was thinking when they approved this campaign and it saddens me that their creative house even though it appropriate to present to their client.
Then again having worked in advertising for many years I have realized and come to know that most don’t have any morals and all that matters is awards and money….
If this campaign is entered for awards and heaven forbid wins one I am scared for the entire society at large!
When I tweeted @virginmobileusa to discuss this they told me they would pass it on to their adverting department. When I wrote to Virgin Mobile long hand how I feel they declined to answer…
Hmmm! Another case of “Big corporation doing what they want….”
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Hey! Virgin is a very clever marketer, but like you say, marketing and advertising is all about the bucks for companies such as this, and nothing about social responsibility. I’ll bet the conversation went:
“Uh, doesn’t that make this girl a stalker?”
“Yeah! You wish!” ”
“She can stalk me anytime.”
“But stalking is a serious thing—look at John Lennon and Rebecca Schaeffer.”
“Guys stalk, not chicks. A chick who stalks is hot.”
So this is too long for a comment now and I’ve migrated to my blog, with a link back here! That is typical of you to do a post that inspires a comment almost as long as the original!
Excellent post!