F'd Ad Fridays: When in Romania...

Earlier this week, Marc posted an article on Osocio about a Romanian candy company's campaign to rid Google's search engine of prejudicial stereotypes about their country and their people.

In response to suggested searches like this, which result from disparaging Googles done mostly by other Europeans, the advertiser asked people to do positive searches instead.

Nice, eh? I thought so, anyway.

And then, also this week, I catch this Romanian tourism campaign by Lowe&Partners online:

"Visit Romania, get drunk, get laid and meet Dracula". Not really helpful, is it?

F'd Ad Fridays: Creepy bunny creeps you in the men's room

This series by Ogilvy Group in Bucharest, Romania, will ruin Bugs Bunny for you. Unless you want him to be like that, in which case... you're welcome?







Via IBiA

F'd Ad Fridays: Wake up and scream... again

Is he dead? Is he naked? Is he about to attack her?

Is she dead? Is she naked? Why does it look like she's been run over?

You've got a lot of 'splainin to do, BBDO Romania...

Via Ads of The World

Neo-nationalism... now in chocolate bar form

This fascinating case study from Romania provides insights into the love/hate relationship between Eastern Europe and American globalism.

Basically, a chocolate brand based on the country's identity challenged apathetic youth by faking a stars-and-stripes rebranding — complete with new packaging fake ads:



I'm not sure how authentic its claims of grassroots protest are, but the approach is interesting and the executions are funny. (Although stirring up that kind of angry patriotism always makes me a little uncomfortable.)