Not An Idea, Sir Ji
Idea Cellular's recent television ads show Abhishek Bachchan as a creative problem solver.
He asks people to replace their names with their phone numbers to end caste violence. Then, he spreads the reach of English language education by broadcasting lectures over cellphones in rural India.
The ads end with a self-congratulatory "What an idea, sir ji".
OK. Nice concept, well-produced TVC, but one must ask the uncomfortable question: what message is Idea Cellular trying to send out by dramatising an unfeasible, impractical idea and then patting its own back?
Vijay Nambisan criticises the campaign on The Hoot. He says:
Surely it is a laudable objective to take education – of whatever kind – to the villages. This initiative with the mobile phones might even work. But is it ethical to take credit for an idea, pretending it has been put into practice? That is what this company is doing.What do readers feel about this ad campaign?
This trend needs to be stopped before more corporates see the beauty and simplicity – and economy – of claiming the kudos for an idea instead of achievement.
Comments to this post are open.
Honesty is dead. Long live honesty.
ReplyDeletedis idea of idea is crtnly stupid!whr do we get such phones thru whch a class of forty cn be taught?
ReplyDeleteIn this ad English language has been shown ad the mark of literacy. By this way Idea is spreading the western language.
ReplyDeleteWhy target only this ad becoz almost all ads will fall under the category of false fronts. Do you really think Shahrukh Khan only lives by a Nokia or Hrithik Roshan dances best to music on a Sony Erikson or that banks like SBI and Union Bank care the way they are showing currently?
ReplyDeleteIf the logic is the hypocrisy and ethical nature, then Idea is not alone. So why bother about their topic, even if it is a human interest campaign that they r using to tweak human hearts.
Looking at the bigger picture, if indeed they are not educating, someone can indeed take the cue and start it. NGOs and governments can implement it it they have the will and resources. In fact, they can make Idea sponsor the cheap call rates. If they dont they get bad publicity. So lets force their hand. It is indeed an idea!.
The ad looks lyk those Chrstian missionary agendas whose only aim was to get ppl converted by providing them food n shelter, and then get them educated acc to Christian teachigs. In this progressieve times, it really sucks. also, the ad fails to send the basic message. WHAT IS BLOODY IDEA CELULLAR TRYING TO GIVE US? It's not clear frm the ad.
ReplyDelete