As Seen on TV – Evil Eye Protector [Video]

For all those who have WorldCall connection for their television sets, they have probably come across the advertisement for *Evil Eye Protector* endorsed by ‘As seen on TV’. I don’t normally watch any advert by them coz of the simple reason, their ads are repeated twice and are just too long for me to bear. Also, I just don’t think I fall in their targeted customers.

But recently, while switching channels I saw an advert for *Evil Eye Protector*, a pendant that one should wear to protect themselves against people and their evil eye. The reason why I stopped to see the entire ad, was ONLY because I had a bracelet gifted to me that had the same eye. I know about the eye icon and people beliefs about it protecting you against evil but I never happened to believe in it to the extent of wearing it for that specific purpose.

Anyhow, what surprised me was the disappointing way the advert talked about protecting oneself from*Nazar Lagna*. Examples discussed include: new office opening and the business going down, child falling ill every time people complimented him/her, losses, no proposals for your daughter etc etc. I do believe in *Nazar Lagna* but I don’t think that it is appropriate to sell a jewelery item for more than Rs. 1000 by fooling people to this extent. What happened to believing in God? To the traditional method of Nazar Utarna. I agree everyone does not know how to do it, but still I wouldn’t say the Evil Eye Protector can be justified.

I tried searching for the local video that I had watched but found an Indian Version instead. Watch it to see what I mean. Also note THE RAYS that link one’s evil eye to the person. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-F_qKetSs&feature=player_embedded#!

TOYO Plastic & Washing Machines? Oh No… Not again!

If you have witnessed the recent advertisements from TOYO, then I can say with full surety that either you would have fallen off your seats laughing or cursed the advertisement agency for coming up with such an ad. I experienced both!!

If I get into explaining what exactly happens in the advert, I might loose track of what I actually want to say so I am going to leave you with a bit of suspense so that you are glued to your screens to witness the state of a few of our ad agencies.

With the growth of the advertisement industry in Pakistan, such advertisements really disappoint a marketer and those who wish to be marketers. When our products are competing to be the biggest brands and improving their quality to stand out, we still see the communication errors and that too quite visibly. Say for example, we have seen recent talk about Kashmir Premium Gold with ‘Hur Ghar main Basa Pyar’ and their seductive approach to selling Cooking oil, the Slice advert, Stillman’s advert with the little boy yelling CHACHU GORI!

Where is the fault? In the brief that these agencies get or in the brainstorming that the agencies do? I fail to understand.

Also, shouldn’t there be some advertising standards or guidelines. A minimum acceptable standard that the advertisement should meet to be sent on air? I think just like PEMRA steps up every time someone raises a voice, there should be someone actually approving the ad and this criteria should be based on advert executive with respect to the product and not lower the advertisement standards.

Coming back to the TOYO advertisement for the plastic chairs and the washing machine, just the way the model feels the chair with her hand and says TOYO would make one want to puke! If you think I’m overreacting… watch the ad and then comment!
UPDATE: The ad was discovered online and shared below. You can enjoy the ad at your own comfort. TO-YO… Seduction OMG!

P.S. TOYO Group of Industries Pakistan ACTUALLY possesses The American International Quality Certificate as well! GOD!

7 UP – Thumbs Up Advertising – Simpler is Better!

Just a quick blog post to refresh your minds. I noticed my previous blogs have focused on criticizing adverts but this one’s a little different and I might not like the drink but I like their concept and execution!

No doubt the ‘Simpler is Better’ advertising must have gone through a strenuous task of coming up with the right communication message and tone for the viewers but I think the ad indeed speaks for the brand. It demonstrates how simpler is actually better. Loved the concept of the refreshing machine and the way the icy water, lemon juice and the normal dryer try to freshen the dude… it develops the perfect brand connection.

Thumbs Up to 7UP indeed for this one… sigh if only I was a fan of their taste I’d just go refresh myself!