AAMI pulls ‘insufferable’ recorder ad after social media backlash
AAMI has pulled its ad featuring a young girl playing the recorder after it became the focus of social media backlash, with commenters describing the ad as “insufferable”.
In an unusual twist for the insurer, which was behind the much loved Rhonda and Ketut campaign, the company decided to act after people said the screeching noise set their dogs howling.
In the ad the girl is sitting in the family’s broken down car blowing a single, ear-piercing note on her recorder as her exasperated parents tell her help will not be far away.
The girl continues to play as the AAMI girl pulls up in a service vehicle. The ad has so angered people it has prompted complaints to the advertising watchdog, the Advertising Standards Board (ASB).
AAMI took to Facebook to apologise for the ad, noting that some people had called for the entire marketing department to be sacked.
A spokesperson for AAMI said it was the first time in five years with the company had seen such a reaction to its marketing.
He said it had been looking at what to do about the complaints for a week before making the decision to pull it from broadcast and use a new ad where the girl is seen playing a less irritating version of Frère Jacques. It remains on the AAMI Youtube channel.
He insisted the move was not part of a stunt to draw attention to the brand but that AAMI was being reactive to viewers’ concerns.
In the Facebook post AAMI apologised and asked people to forgive them.
“A sincere ‘Thanks’ to everyone who took the time to let us know what you thought about our latest ad (even those Tweets suggesting our ad team be retrenched #Gulp),” the post said.
“We’ve listened to your feedback, so, rather than insisting you wait for what’s coming up we thought you’d like to know we’re airing this slightly different version from today. Apologies for all the battered eardrums and howling dogs out there! #PracticeMakesPerfect #BringingTheRecorderBack #Sorry#PleaseDontFireUs“
Can’t believe a company would cave so quick to the social media mob, unbelievable, the western world truly is crazy.
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Was this ad created before or after the Chaser kid with a recorder stunt on the election trail?
https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/arts-and-culture/watch-the-chaser-tormented-election-candidates-wit/ff48ded5-511e-4e34-acf8-11b7a2f13067.htm
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It’s not just the music. The weak mother should have snatched the recorder from this precocious junior. I won’t mention where she could put it! The entire advertisement is a waste of money for the advertiser.
Sack everyone involved!
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I didn’t think people who did Facebookery watched TV anymore.
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Boy – some people get annoyed at anything. Ive seen the ad many times but never thought it was a problem. Like most people my ears switch off when ads come on. However the controvercy this has caused has given AAMI $s worth of publicity. Isnt that what ads are for?
Congratulations marketing department.
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If every crappy advertisement was pulled it would be a very quiet night wouldn’t it!
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I loved it, particularly the facial expression on the AAMI lady. Maybe the little girl should have played, “It’s a down, down” on the recorder, no one’s complaining about that.
And don’t start me on the “Obey your mouth” picnic (or whatever the product is) TVC.
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AAMI should have left the TVC on a bit longer to generate even more awareness, before then creating some content on the revised version. And at least left it on their YouTube channel as people are no searching for it to see what all the fuss was about. Besides, if the price is right a consumer is still likely to purchase insurance from AAMI no matter how annoying the advertising. As long as it’s not offensive.
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The words “social media backlash” have become a way of describing any pointless and moronic complaints made by people with pointless lives and sub-normal intelligence.
I have four letters, which abbreviate a phrase, for all those who use (anti)social media to foist their unwanted opinions on the world: STFU!
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I’m glad they took it down. It was the only ad to get my attention when it was on, only because the high pitched noise made it impossible to ignore.
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I loved the first ad! My daughter played the recorder exactly like that when she was that age. It made me laugh and remind me of happy days with my kids. Good on you aami for airing a “realistic” ad, there are already way too many rediculous ones.
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Clearly people need to familiarise themselves with the location of the mute button on their TV remote. That’s how I deal with annoying TV ads.
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I agree completely! I taught recorder & that’s what it sounded like most of the time with the younger students!
I loved the ad (& AAMI girl’s face)!
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I just wonder what the AAMI lady is going to do to help what is apparently a blown motor or water hose?
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