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Mel Gibson in Gladiator

by Stephen Dean
17 replies
I just heard a radio ad for a local car dealership. About 2-3 sentences in they say...

"like Mel Gibson in Gladiator."

That made me think, "Mel Gibson wasn't in Gladiator. Russell Crowe was." And I argued with myself over whether they did it on purpose the rest of the ad.

Is that supposed to be their attention getter? Is that supposed to make people pay attention to the rest of the ad?

I think so.

But if they heard it, they already were paying attention. And now you've just successfully made them think of something else.

My Verdict: Speed bump.

Actual results? Dunno, but I bet half of their advertising budget is wasted.

Cheers,
Stephen Dean
#gibson #gladiator #mel
  • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
    Stephen,

    Looks like "clever" got in the way of being "clear".

    All the best,
    Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author copycashvalve
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  • Profile picture of the author mccflo99
    Sounds like someone hired a discount copywriter.

    Chirs
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    Copywriter With High Profile References...
    Click Here >>> Copywriter
    Personal Blog (Music Reviews, Bad Business, Poetry)...
    Click Here >>> http://www.ibechris.com
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    • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
      Originally Posted by mccflo99 View Post

      Sounds like someone hired a discount copywriter.

      Chirs

      Probably from Fiverr.

      Regards,

      Angel
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  • Profile picture of the author valleytech
    stupidity knows no limits
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  • Profile picture of the author skoh
    It could of been intentional, seeing that we're so beaten to death with ads on the radio that most of what we hear just bounces off of us and doesn't stick. I read somewhere once that the average person forgets 90% of the advertisements they are exposed to.

    This reminds me of halberts carbonized **** theory in that after awhile most of what fills our heads turns into carbonized **** because it keeps packing down harder and harder when we're subjected to it so much.

    Maybe he was trying to get the listener to say WTF, that doesn't make any sense and since it's agitating maybe it would stick more with us.

    Interesting.

    -Ross
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    • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
      Originally Posted by skoh View Post

      I read somewhere once that the average person forgets 90% of the advertisements they are exposed to.
      It's probably a much higher percentage than 90%, but chances are the ads you do remember are auditory and not visual (meaning in "print" whether online or offline).

      We can close our eyes... ignore visual ads at will, yet it is impossible to close our ears.

      Here's an experiment that will help you "see" how powerful the spoken word is. Find someone who is at least 50 years old and ask him to complete this sentence...

      Winston tastes good _____________________.

      Even though the last time this ad aired was in January,1971... that's almost 40 years ago... just about everyone over 50 can finish the sentence without a moment's hesitation. They will all go to their graves remembering it.
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      • Profile picture of the author virginiad
        ...like a cigarette should. I guess that dates me!

        It is kind of weird. I was just thinking about that slogan yesterday in a totally different context.
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        Virginia Drew


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  • Profile picture of the author CappaG
    I'm not sure you can call it 'stupid'. I opened this thread specifically because of the 'mistaken' title, so it must have some effect. It gets you paying attention, for sure!
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  • Profile picture of the author Nathan Alexander
    Of course. If Mel was in the movie it'd be more like, "I'm going to 'beep' and then we'll see who 'beep' the stupid 'beep' if you ever 'beep' it like that again. Think you're good with that sword? You don't even 'beep' the 'beep'!! I'LL 'BEEP' YOU WHERE YOU STAND!...You hear me?! I 'beep' girls like you... And 'beep' if you 'beep' the 'beep' you 'beep' soldier scum!"

    Sorry. Had to go there.
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    • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
      Originally Posted by Nathan Alexander View Post

      Of course. If Mel was in the movie it'd be more like, "I'm going to 'beep' and then we'll see who 'beep' the stupid 'beep' if you ever 'beep' it like that again. Think you're good with that sword? You don't even 'beep' the 'beep'!! I'LL 'BEEP' YOU WHERE YOU STAND!...You hear me?! I 'beep' girls like you... And 'beep' if you 'beep' the 'beep' you 'beep' soldier scum!"

      Sorry. Had to go there.
      Think this was my laugh for the day.

      Thanks.

      Best,

      Angel
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    • Profile picture of the author fypnlp
      Originally Posted by Nathan Alexander View Post

      Of course. If Mel was in the movie it'd be more like, "I'm going to 'beep' and then we'll see who 'beep' the stupid 'beep' if you ever 'beep' it like that again. Think you're good with that sword? You don't even 'beep' the 'beep'!! I'LL 'BEEP' YOU WHERE YOU STAND!...You hear me?! I 'beep' girls like you... And 'beep' if you 'beep' the 'beep' you 'beep' soldier scum!"

      Sorry. Had to go there.
      hahahahahahaha. Hilarious and yet....oh so true!
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  • Profile picture of the author redcell1
    Why Gladiator though ? That movie came out way back when, I would have used something more recent ?
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    Just here to see the shenanigans.

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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    You know what sticks out like dogballs on radio? Whispers and ticking clocks. And if you want to repulse listeners - mention Mel Gibson (born in New York but raised in Sydney , Australia from the age of 12 - first hit "Mad Max" - filmed in the Outback of Australia (not the real Outback but close enough)).
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Maybe Mel was originally cast to do it but he kept getting drunk and falling into the lions pit. Just a thought.
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