Comments on: VicRoads says ‘don’t be a dickhead’ in new online campaign

By: Sticks and Stones | Samuel Webster

Sticks and Stones | Samuel Webster — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:55:01 +0000

[...] week, the Victorian government released their latest advertising campaign to stop reckless driving. Many of you will remember the last such campaign: Speeding – No one thinks [...]

By: jb

jb — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:44:46 +0000

WTF!!?? I don’t even get some of them. Trivial, light on in the extreme. Ridiculous caricatures of people – what is it with hating on redheads?? Who wants to be like everybody else. Redheads, head to France or Asia where they will eat you up and offer you a modeling contract, girl or guy! Bloody silly.

By: Vee

Vee — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:30:54 +0000

yeah, but the real issue is, why is the Vic Govt endorsing on the one hand a message that legitimises bullying of people who ‘are not like us’ ie redheads, emos, nerds etc, and PAYING money to make ‘funny’ ads about them, then on the other hand, telling children is schools to embrace tollerance and not bullying… need to be a bit consistent here and a bit less two faced, me thinks

By: Jane Citizen

Jane Citizen — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:32:54 +0000

I totally agree with it being “as cringeworthy as the iSnack 2.0 campaign”.
None of these ads even show the consequences of speeding (unless you count being struck through with a pole, which didn’t even end up being a bad thing for this fictional guy!).
Also, I’m not a red-head but found the ads directed at “gingers” totally offensive. When I first saw the “ginger gets fresh” one I was certain that it was a joke. I’m sure they get enough comments about it from ignorant, ordinary people- but now from the government!?!
The whole “bloody idiot”, “dickhead” seems pretty inappropriate to me anyway. I’m young, but since when was it okay in general society to use the word “dickhead” loosely? It’s just a bad comeback for someone who can’t think of another way to convince somebody except by insulting them.

By: yoshi

yoshi — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:17:15 +0000

what type of government encourages people to make fun of others? these ads are rubbish and show what a bogan backward country Australia really is. Are vic roads for real??? vic roads bureaucrats ..what classy humans.

By: Ep 218: Dan Ilic, Dave Bloustien - Boxcutters

Ep 218: Dan Ilic, Dave Bloustien - Boxcutters — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:51:18 +0000

[...] week we talk to Dan Ilic about the ads he created for the VicRoads road-safety campaign. You probably would have seen them referred to because of their [...]

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:02:29 +0000

Thanks for that Mr Illic. You’re “intention” still didn’t get through though no matter how many times you watch it

By: S. Moore

S. Moore — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:36:28 +0000

Anything that gets people talking is a great advertisement. If only some of the above commentators actually watched the last montage, they might realise that Road Safety affects us all – young, old, blonde, brunette, ginger, emo, conservative etc. So slow down, buckle up and concentrate on the task at hand – driving safely – or continue being a dickhead. Your choice! Just don’t kill me or my family!

By: isabella

isabella — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:31:03 +0000

How can the state government be concerned with bullying in schools when it promotes discrimination to this extent. People with red hair and emos have so much ‘grief’ to deal with – why use them for a cheap laughh?

By: Ranga

Ranga — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:19:23 +0000

In regards to the ‘gingers getting fresh’ ad:
A) What the hell is a ginga (hard g)??
B) What’s wrong with gingers getting it on with other gingers – this sounds like a state sponsered eugenics promotion to me.
C) Is it really that hard to cast a real red-head?

And in regards to the whole campaign:
THE MOST GOD AWFUL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN EVER CONCEIVED AND PRODUCED (although even that flatters it).

By: Caroline

Caroline — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:53:53 +0000

As a redhead I am heartened by the amt of people that see this hate campaign as unacceptable! Thank you people! My little 2 yr old nephew has red hair & hopefully we will have evolved past thus sort of rubbish by the time he is old enough to understand!

Why should I pay taxes for a hate campaign???? How embarassing for the government!

By: A realist

A realist — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:28:53 +0000

this is a JOKE
This will do nothing but either anger people or make them have a laugh.
it will not save lives.

And what justifyes their swearing?

Vicroads have a bunch of d i c k h e a d s working for them.
Not mention the stupid pollies and beaurocratic morons pushing stupid rubbish around. Speed cameras saving lifes?

Uhm no, the guy going 140 in a 80 zone will go past these “saftey cameras” get clicked, and continue at 140 and when their luck ruins out, ends up crashing into a tree..

Was there a patrol car there to stop him? No, there was a “Saftey cam”, all it did was take a nice photo of the bloke they will send the fine to. thats all, there to fill up their coffers.

And now with these ads..when are they going to fix the problem – Driver Training.
Wait a sec, it doesnt make money!

People you must TAKE A STAND and not take any more rubbish from these lunies

Victoria – The Nanny State

By: Me

Me — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:46:48 +0000

This is as misguided and cringeworthy as the iSnack 2.0 campaign

By: Imnoexpert

Imnoexpert — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:32:31 +0000

Just another example of people being sooo ‘uber creative and viral’, when their idea quite frankly is rubbish. Id’ be ashamed if this one escaped out of my agency door.
I

By: De

De — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:19:09 +0000

I am a read head and feel this is a silly and offensive campaign that will not teach young people to be responsible on the roads. I do not understand how linking the idea of prejudice and bullying towards red haired people or emos could be an effective road safety message. It’s turning a serious issue into a joke. VIc transport should be ashamed of themselves, and any ad agency involved should aim to be a bit more CLEVER in the future. Not cool, not funny, racist and unkind.