I didn’t watch the Super Bowl for a number of reasons. The main one, though, is that it’s 2015 and I can watch the stupid ads anytime I want.
If you haven’t seen the only Super Bowl ad that anybody’s going to remember next week, here it is:
See, you thought it was about a little kid and his wild imagination. But it’s about a little dead kid and his wild imagination. Let this be a lesson to anyone who’s in favor of dead children. Or something.
Once it aired, the reaction was immediate… It wasn’t pretty.
The reaction was so negative that Nationwide had to issue a statement as to what their intent was:
Preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths in America. Most people don’t know that. Nationwide ran an ad during the Super Bowl that started a fierce conversation. The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us-the safety and well being of our children. We knew the ad would spur a variety of reactions. In fact, thousands of people visited MakeSafeHappen.com, a new website to help educate parents and caregivers with information and resources in an effort to make their homes safer and avoid a potential injury or death. Nationwide has been working with experts for more than 60 years to make homes safer. While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere.
Back in the old days, the purpose of advertising was to get people to buy things. Now, we’re reminded, the purpose is to “start a conversation.” To “begin a dialogue.”
Well, here’s some dialogue: You stink, Nationwide. If there was ever a chance that you’d get any of my money, that chance has now passed. It’s one thing to bum people out with drowned, poisoned, and bludgeoned children while they’re trying to watch a football game. But then you scold them for not liking it? Go screw.
P.S. Speaking of awful Super Bowl ads: The little girl who was supposed to redefine “fighting like a girl” was totally fighting like a girl.