Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees

Warwithwheels · 24th March 2013, 07:33

Credits: http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013...go-schumacher/

Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees-ford_jpg_1405219f.jpg

Credits: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Ind...cle4541960.ece

Quote:

Just when you thought issues between Italy and India are dying down, a leaked Ford Figo advertisement depicting former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and a car trunk full of gagged and handcuffed women has sparked yet another controversy.

Produced by advertising agency JWT India, one of the ads for the subcompact car shows a cartoon of three scantily clad women gagged and crammed in the trunk of the Figo while Mr. Berlusconi looks back from the driver’s seat, flashing a peace sign. The tagline at the bottom reads “Leave Your Worries Behind with the Figo’s extra-large boot,” referring to the former Prime Minister’s many affairs and bunga bunga parties.
....
....
“We deeply regret this incident and agree with our agency partners that it should have never happened. The posters are contrary to the standards of professionalism and decency within Ford and our agency partners. Together with our partners, we are reviewing approval and oversight processes to help ensure nothing like this ever happens again,” Ford India said in a statement to The Hindu.

Read Full Article: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Ind...cle4541960.ece

Motored Mindset · 24th March 2013, 08:26

There's another ad depicting Paris Hilton in the driver's seat with the Kardashian sisters in the boot. I've attached the image from Ford's advertisement below. It is felt that Ford India had the timing all wrong, releasing what many people term "sexist" advertisements, on the heels of the ghastly delhi rape incident that brought to light the problems Indian women face.

I think there's a deeper problem here that's not restricted to Ford. It's about time we male enthusiasts, as part of the larger car community, dissociate automobiles from this idea of "masculinity". Car makers, especially in India, are only too happy to play into the idea that cars are "boy's toys" and women are inept as far as an automobile is concerned or comes in the way of our "automotive nirvana". The problem is compounded in India when women drivers are heckled or intimidated while driving because they are in such few numbers. Team BHP has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality among auto-enthusiasts and we members should be wary of advertisements that have the potential to offend.

On the flipside, many comments on foreign media sites such as Autoblog suggest that the Indian mentality is too sensitive and doesn't respect free speech in the manner it should be respected. Its tricky to find a balance, but a Government ad-monitoring agency on the lines of the Censor Board that approves films would reduce the number of occurrences when interest groups are offended.

gthang · 24th March 2013, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Achyuth Vaibhav

What did Vettel, Hamilton and Alsonso do to Alan Mulally

Cheers,

Achyuth

Probably nothing. But since that's supposed to be Michael Schumacher, it tells a lot

Cheers

hellmet · 24th March 2013, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motored Mindset

It is felt that Ford India had the timing all wrong...

Yes, the timing was surely wrong because all the scams and frauds had dried up and media was looking for some new bakra. Anyway, this is best left for Ford to deal with and shouldn't have anything to do with India.

Achyuth Vaibhav · 24th March 2013, 11:19

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drsingh · 24th March 2013, 18:01

It has nothing to do with Ford guys. Most advertising agencies have politically incorrect stuff in their offices.mimicry, videos, audio and photo shopped images .I mean the creative artists come up with crazy ideas. Or just to showcase their talent .

Most probably it was uploaded to showcase the ad agencies' creative chops at a website where all kinds of weird ads are uploaded all the time.

Something like the Hitler videos on you tube.

Maybe they do this for fun!
The storm being caused is due to the bad timing of the uploads online.

I doubt ford knew about these let alone authorise their release online .

Its satire on the lives of celebrities.
Just wrong timing!

phamilyman · 24th March 2013, 20:47

Help me understand something basic. Was this approved for publication, was it published, or was it created without permission and leaked on the net?

If the latter, I dont think Ford India should apologize (unless they specified this stupid concept) for the runaway "creative" minds. JWT for sure has a BIG mess on their hands.

Achyuth Vaibhav · 24th March 2013, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Help me understand something basic. Was this approved for publication, was it published, or was it created without permission and leaked on the net?

If the latter, I dont think Ford India should apologize (unless they specified this stupid concept) for the runaway "creative" minds. JWT for sure has a BIG mess on their hands.

It's not published yet. It's just a leak from the Hindu. Read today's Hindu Newspaper and you will understand clearly.

Daewood · 24th March 2013, 20:51

This is as ridiculous as some political party making a big issue out of a facebook post. Everyday thousands of such crazy ads are done by ad professionals in their free time for privatle consumption. Some of them do end up in closed forums where these creative minds hang out. They are never meant for release in publications. It's just like how some guys/gals crack 'adult jokes' while talking amongst friends.

It's deplorable that a reputed newspaper like Hindu jumped the gun and published it as a front page news item, and that too with the image.
Defnitley a case of falling newspaper standards. The article in Hindu says " The draft advertisement was presumably outsourced to JWT India, and meant for the Italian and American markets."
What they didn't know is that, Ford doesn't even sell Figo in either Italy or America.

phamilyman · 24th March 2013, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daewood

This is as ridiculous as some political party making a big issue out of a facebook post. Everyday thousands of such crazy ads are done by ad professionals in their free time for privatle consumption. Some of them do end up in closed forums where these creative minds hang out. They are never meant for release in publications. It's just like how some guys/gals crack 'adult jokes' while talking amongst friends.

It's deplorable that a reputed newspaper like Hindu jumped the gun and published it as a front page news item, and that too with the image. Defnitley a case of falling newspaper standards.

I am traveling and cannot access it, but if so, its a sad reflection of what comprises news today. In which case, poor ford's name is being dragged in the muck for no reason - it should be JWT!

Here is another case of another someone who took a joke too seriously, and ended up ruining their career and hers: http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/21/a-d...ut-of-control/

IronH4WK · 25th March 2013, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

poor ford's name is being dragged in the muck for no reason - it should be JWT!

true! well, they've axed their own feet; may lose the account too

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Here is another case of another someone who took a joke too seriously, and ended up ruining their career and hers: http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/21/a-d...ut-of-control/

whoa! that's one thing leading to another, spiraling out of control!

kewlferrari · 25th March 2013, 14:15

Seems unlikey that the ads have been approved by FORD. They might as best been presented to Ford. The JWT head has come out and gave a comment that it was not an official ad and had not been approved by Ford for publishing. He did say that the employees concerned made a mistake and had an error of judgement.

No comment on what awaits the erring employees.

esteem_lover · 25th March 2013, 15:25

Seems like an indirect way to catch the attention of the masses. Advertising without really paying for it. Every newspaper/website is carrying these pictures now.

KiloAlpha · 26th March 2013, 00:56

Even more coverage of this issue:

http://www.salon.com/2013/03/25/ford..._trunk_of_car/

Its getting a bit out of hand, methinks?

pganapathy · 26th March 2013, 01:40

Unbelievable how politically correct the world is getting. It is a joke and if people can't treat it as such, it shows a complete lack of sense of humour.

Nowadays everything is mired in terms of being PC, that you are better off not even attempting to use your brain apparently. Sad reflection of society.

All those ad photos are meant to evoke a chuckle, not be treated as literal fact.

24th March 2013, 08:26	#2
Motored Mindset BHPian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Mumbai Posts: 77 Thanked: 85 Times	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees There's another ad depicting Paris Hilton in the driver's seat with the Kardashian sisters in the boot. I've attached the image from Ford's advertisement below. It is felt that Ford India had the timing all wrong, releasing what many people term "sexist" advertisements, on the heels of the ghastly delhi rape incident that brought to light the problems Indian women face. I think there's a deeper problem here that's not restricted to Ford. It's about time we male enthusiasts, as part of the larger car community, dissociate automobiles from this idea of "masculinity". Car makers, especially in India, are only too happy to play into the idea that cars are "boy's toys" and women are inept as far as an automobile is concerned or comes in the way of our "automotive nirvana". The problem is compounded in India when women drivers are heckled or intimidated while driving because they are in such few numbers. Team BHP has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality among auto-enthusiasts and we members should be wary of advertisements that have the potential to offend. On the flipside, many comments on foreign media sites such as Autoblog suggest that the Indian mentality is too sensitive and doesn't respect free speech in the manner it should be respected. Its tricky to find a balance, but a Government ad-monitoring agency on the lines of the Censor Board that approves films would reduce the number of occurrences when interest groups are offended. Attached Thumbnails
	(3) Thanks

24th March 2013, 11:19	#5
Achyuth Vaibhav BHPian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Vellore(TN,Ind) Posts: 374 Thanked: 207 Times	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Please do NOT post messages that add little or no informational value to the thread. We need your co-operation to maintain the overall quality of this forum. Please read our rules before proceeding any further. We request you to post ONLY when you have something substantial to add to a thread. Last edited by GTO : 25th March 2013 at 11:13.
	(1) Thanks $Received Infraction$

24th March 2013, 18:01	#6
drsingh BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ludhiana Posts: 776 Thanked: 707 Times	It has nothing to do with Ford guys. Most advertising agencies have politically incorrect stuff in their offices.mimicry, videos, audio and photo shopped images .I mean the creative artists come up with crazy ideas. Or just to showcase their talent . Most probably it was uploaded to showcase the ad agencies' creative chops at a website where all kinds of weird ads are uploaded all the time. Something like the Hitler videos on you tube. Maybe they do this for fun! The storm being caused is due to the bad timing of the uploads online. I doubt ford knew about these let alone authorise their release online . Its satire on the lives of celebrities. Just wrong timing!
	(1) Thanks

24th March 2013, 20:47	#7
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees Help me understand something basic. Was this approved for publication, was it published, or was it created without permission and leaked on the net? If the latter, I dont think Ford India should apologize (unless they specified this stupid concept) for the runaway "creative" minds. JWT for sure has a BIG mess on their hands.
	(1) Thanks

24th March 2013, 20:51	#9
Daewood BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 940 Thanked: 234 Times	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees This is as ridiculous as some political party making a big issue out of a facebook post. Everyday thousands of such crazy ads are done by ad professionals in their free time for privatle consumption. Some of them do end up in closed forums where these creative minds hang out. They are never meant for release in publications. It's just like how some guys/gals crack 'adult jokes' while talking amongst friends. It's deplorable that a reputed newspaper like Hindu jumped the gun and published it as a front page news item, and that too with the image. Defnitley a case of falling newspaper standards. The article in Hindu says " The draft advertisement was presumably outsourced to JWT India, and meant for the Italian and American markets." What they didn't know is that, Ford doesn't even sell Figo in either Italy or America. Last edited by Daewood : 24th March 2013 at 21:08.
	(5) Thanks

25th March 2013, 14:15	#12
kewlferrari BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 175 Thanked: 16 Times	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees Seems unlikey that the ads have been approved by FORD. They might as best been presented to Ford. The JWT head has come out and gave a comment that it was not an official ad and had not been approved by Ford for publishing. He did say that the employees concerned made a mistake and had an error of judgement. No comment on what awaits the erring employees.
	() Thanks

25th March 2013, 15:25	#13
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees Seems like an indirect way to catch the attention of the masses. Advertising without really paying for it. Every newspaper/website is carrying these pictures now.
	() Thanks

26th March 2013, 00:56	#14
KiloAlpha Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cubicle Posts: 1,605 Thanked: 3,002 Times	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees Even more coverage of this issue: http://www.salon.com/2013/03/25/ford..._trunk_of_car/ Its getting a bit out of hand, methinks?
	() Thanks

26th March 2013, 01:40	#15
pganapathy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bangalore,Coorg Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 765 Times	re: Ford's new Ad sparks International Controversy! UPDATE: JWT fires 2 Senior employees Unbelievable how politically correct the world is getting. It is a joke and if people can't treat it as such, it shows a complete lack of sense of humour. Nowadays everything is mired in terms of being PC, that you are better off not even attempting to use your brain apparently. Sad reflection of society. All those ad photos are meant to evoke a chuckle, not be treated as literal fact.
	(6) Thanks