Subaru: driven by tools?
Currently running on the home page of YouTube is a promotion for the Subaru XV Rescue campaign.
The accompanying video ad features a car bombing about what looks like Sydney’s The Rocks.
It’s a bit of a surprise to be honest because, frankly, he’s driving like a muppet.
I’m sure I remember being taught that you’re not supposed to cross over your arms on the steering wheel. Or indeed steer one-handed as appears to be the case. Or violently swerve to park.
And the speed they leap out of the car as it screeches to a halt implies that they’ve not bothered with seatbelts either.
When the inevitable complaint arrives with the Ad Standards Board, it will be interesting to see how they interpret the code of practice for car ads:
“Advertisers should ensure that advertisements do not depict, encourage or condone dangerous, illegal, aggressive or reckless driving. Moreover, advertisers need to be mindful that excessive speed is a major cause of death and injury in road crashes and accordingly should avoid explicitly or implicitly drawing attention to the acceleration or speed capabilities of a vehicle.”
Which would, I’d contend, include the act of driving like a muppet.
(I’ve asked Subaru for comment and will update this with a response if they get back to me)
Update:
Subaru tells me:
1. All passengers were wearing seatbelts at all times. Only when the vehicle was at a complete stop were they removed.
2. Driving one-handed was as the result of the vehicle having a manual transmission and was necessary to change gears.
3. We comply with both the FCAI and AANA codes for advertising which are the same across all mediums, including internet.
Subaru has a robust track record when it comes advertising standards compliance. All of our advertisements are scrutinised by third party lawyers to ensure they adhere to the relevant codes.
Tim Burrowes
Subaru would shut up shop rather than be involved in motorsport or quasi motorsport ever again- so they would be horrified to think that this lame campaign has even the slightest element of hoonishness.
If they wanted to do a cool campaign- then multi time Australian Rally Championship winners Simon and Sue Evans would be the logical choice. they drive a Subaru 4WD without a cent of support.
And Subaru saved money by not sponsoring the likes of the Evans’ so they can do campaigns like this? Brilliant.
Tom
PS declaration: I am the Australian Rally Champs media manager. We’re on the Sunshine Coast competing this weekend- in Subarus…
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“2. Driving one-handed was as the result of the vehicle having a manual transmission and was necessary to change gears.”
ooh touché
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Short on stories? Subaru’s response should teach you to think before you whinge
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Slow news day? Seriously, why bother? What a bunch of whinging non-news nonsense Tim – and you had to ask Subaru for comment? Really dumb.
Why don’t you evaluate the campaign based on a marketing viewpoint, instead of this ridiculous Today Tonight bollocks?
That is all.
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What John says… it’s not the best ad Subaru has ever done, but ease up on the sanctimonious bleating about evil car companies, would you? Car companies can’t fart loudly for fear of a complaint, yet you can sell iced coffee depicting kids stealing product from a speeding truck…
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Would have to agree Tim. Lately feels like Mumbrella is more just a uniformed blog than a credible site. Fix it up mate.
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Yeah this sites about as useful as a Daily Telegraph these days. Ad Age should regulate against smut.
Good response Subaru.
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Anonymous 9.39pm.
One point off for getting the word “uniformed” mixed up with “uninformed”. Happy to explain the difference – just ask.
And two points off for posting whining comments on a Sunday night.
Karl Stefanovic. Apostrophes, dear boy, apostrophes. Either “this site is” or “this site’s”. Happy to explain the difference – just ask. One point off.
Next!
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meh. Next non-issue please.
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Um, yet another car ad filmed on Hickson Road…A bit of creativity needed in location for car shoots guys..
I know, what about the road bridge down the south coast on the way to Wollongong, or under the sound buffer tunnel on the way to Melbourne airport?
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Is that it? What a non-story. I remember some time ago you ran an article about the sensless complaints to the Ad Standards Board. This could have been one of them. Sounds like someone has too much time on their hands…
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