Rabo Direct ad - Homeless

amdublin

Response from ASAI to my complaint:

I refer to your complaint of 3rd November regarding two advertisements for Rabo Direct.

The function of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland is to ensure that advertisers comply with the requirements of the Code of Standards for Advertising, Promotional and Direct Marketing in Ireland and to investigate complaints concerning advertisements which are considered to be in breach
of the Code.

In keeping with our normal practice we forwarded your complaint (without disclosing your identity) to
Rabo Direct and asked for comments.

In reply to your complaint concerning the advertisement
featuring a homeless man, Rabo Direct stated that they were both surprised and sorry to hear that you had found the advertisement to be insensitive and that it was never their intention to upset anyone.
They said that neither homelessness, nor indeed the homeless themselves, were the source of the humour and that the humour revolved around the perilous decision of making no decision.

They stated that the advertisement featured a couple who chose “any Architect”, then “any Divorce Lawyer” and showed how not making a decision was a bad decision. They said that each decision made the couple fall further into a fictional dystopian dream before they return to the original decision and
relive, stating “maybe not just any bank”.

They stated that they are sensitive to the gravity of the homeless situation, particularly as they are supporters of the Simon Charity. In the circumstances, they amended the advertisement and removed the scene featuring the man when homeless.

The purpose of the ASAI Code is to ensure that advertising that it considered to be in breach of the Code is either amended or withdrawn. In this case, Rabo Direct have amended the advertisement and in the circumstances we do not consider that there is a need to pursue this matter further under the
Code.

In regards to your complaint regarding the ‘any college’ advertisement, we will be drafting a report on the matter and will advise you in due course.

amdublin

Strangely (or stupidly) enough they haven't told the wonderful advertising agency who came up with it to take it off the internet

http://boysandgirls.ie/uncategorized/not-just-any-campaign/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZRLZpGF9Ws&feature=youtu.be

amdublin

Ps. Check out the blog. Would you not be embarrassed to be known as "Missy" xxxxx in your working life.

Seriously, have some dignity ladies. The mind boggles

CountyHurler

Rabo Direct stated that they were both surprised and sorry to hear that you had found the advertisement to be insensitive and that it was never their intention to upset anyone. They said that neither homelessness, nor indeed the homeless themselves, were the source of the humour and that the humour revolved around the perilous decision of making no decision.

I find it slightly strange that the ASAI seem to be adopting a position seemingly in defence of Rabo... It's like a statement you would have expected from Rabo's own PR department...

I don't want to go over the top with this, but the ad is more shocking for the fact that Advertising company proposed an ad belittling homeless people and people who work in fast food joints AND that Rabo would approve it... Shows you that they live in completely different worlds to the average people..

Skid X

Well done on taking the time to oppose it. Nasty advert, the PR people seem to be on a different planet.

amdublin

CountyHurler wrote: »

I don't want to go over the top with this, but the ad is more shocking for the fact that Advertising company proposed an ad belittling homeless people and people who work in fast food joints AND that Rabo would approve it... Shows you that they live in completely different worlds to the average people..

Yet this same company "supports the Simon Community". It's seriously messed up imo.

Shocking for an ad company to come up with and for rabo to accept it.

I would've thought it would go like this
Ad co: so we've come up with this really humourous ad. *describes the all the scenes*
Rabo: Eh you know our staff charity is the Simon Community. And aside from that homelessness is just not funny. Good luck , you're fired.

amdublin

Ps. CH - I think the fast food one is almost as bad. It does ridicule people who work in fast food joints as not being acceptable.

amdublin

Skid X wrote: »

Well done on taking the time to oppose it. Nasty advert, the PR people seem to be on a different planet.

Agree.

It is not over for them yet....I've gone back to tell them that the ad is still available on the internet, giving them those links.

Yamanoto

amdublin wrote: »

Response from ASAI to my complaint:

I'm guessing you've discussed this previously hereabouts, but for those of us fresh to it, is your complaint to the ASAI available to read?

whupdedo

Fair play to you , but you seem to be looking for something to be offended by, are you complaining on behalf of people who are homeless or the people watching the advert on their television who might get offended on behalf of the homeless, theirs plenty to get offended on television about, but you seem to be very easily offended

MagicMarker

Christ, some people have too much time on their hands.

I like the ads. I don't think it's belittling to anyone.

amdublin

Yamanoto wrote: »

I'm guessing you've discussed this previously hereabouts, but for those of us fresh to it, is your complaint to the ASAI available to read?

First came under discussion in the "adverts we don't like" thread where I said I was going to complain about it.





I don't think I'm over reacting. It's a foul idea to put out there that if you don't think about your decisions you end up either homeless or working in a drive thru. But luckily it's all just a dream and posh couples son can be saved from failure of working in fast food restaurant by the couple having sense and not choosing "just any bank"

Dirty Dingus McGee

amdublin wrote: »

Ps. CH - I think the fast food one is almost as bad. It does ridicule people who work in fast food joints as not being acceptable.

You shouldn't watch any sitcoms then, you'll be mortified by them.

In all fairness I doubt most parents would want their children to end up working in McDonalds etc (not that there is anything wrong with working in McDonalds) as there are much better jobs out there.

Dirty Dingus McGee

amdublin wrote: »

First came under discussion in the "adverts we don't like" thread where I said I was going to complain about it.





I don't think I'm over reacting. It's a foul idea to put out there that if you don't think about your decisions you end up either homeless or working in a drive thru. But luckily it's all just a dream and posh couples son can be saved from failure of working in fast food restaurant by the couple having sense and not choosing "just any bank"

I think you missed the point of the ad.its not that the couples son can be saved by them choosing Rabo Bank its that if they take the attitude of anything will do towards the bank they choose and apply this attitude to other areas of their life as well it will have adverse consequences.Its not choosing the bank that causes the son to end up with a less desirable job its having an attitude that any college will do that results in this,
and by the way making a bad college choice can result in having a less desirable job so there is some truth to the add as well.

MagicMarker

amdublin wrote: »

First came under discussion in the "adverts we don't like" thread where I said I was going to complain about it.





I don't think I'm over reacting. It's a foul idea to put out there that if you don't think about your decisions you end up either homeless or working in a drive thru. But luckily it's all just a dream and posh couples son can be saved from failure of working in fast food restaurant by the couple having sense and not choosing "just any bank"

Why are you hung up on the fast food part? You haven't even mentioned mime artists, are their feelings not hurt too?

Birneybau

MagicMarker wrote: »

Why are you hung up on the fast food part? You haven't even mentioned mime artists, are their feelings not hurt too?

Well, would we notice? They always seem so maudlin anyway. ; )

Pro Hoc Vice

MagicMarker wrote: »

Christ, some people have too much time on their hands.

I like the ads. I don't think it's belittling to anyone.

So agree, it's a well crafted add in my opinion. Some people just want to be offended.

Pro Hoc Vice

MagicMarker wrote: »

Why are you hung up on the fast food part? You haven't even mentioned mime artists, are their feelings not hurt too?

Reminds me of a friend of mine collecting his BA from the president of big college. My friend said when handed degree and shaking hand. "Do you want fries with that." Got a giggle from the president. Lol it's just an example of using humour to make a point. Some people seriously need [mod snip].

yosser hughes

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Reminds me of a friend of mine collecting his BA from the president of big college. My friend said when handed degree and shaking hand. "Do you want fries with that." Got a giggle from the president. Lol it's just an example of using humour to make a point. Some people seriously need [mod snip]

I bet you're friend didn't say that though.

Belittling a BA seems to be a thing on boards now.

Pro Hoc Vice

yosser hughes wrote: »

I bet you're friend didn't say that though.

Belittling a BA seems to be a thing on boards now.

He actually did. In fact my friend is very proud of his BA and his University but fully knows the perception and he was having fun.

PeteFalk78

Jesus H Christ, some people really need to go out and see the big world.
People looking for a reason to be offended - wannabe handwringers.

amdublin

PeteFalk78 wrote: »

Jesus H Christ, some people really need to go out and see the big world.
People looking for a reason to be offended - wannabe handwringers.

I was out packing and delivering food hampers for 6 different charities this morning. I see the big world.

There is nothing funny about making the wrong choices in life and ending up homeless. That a bank* would see this as appropriate subject matter for an ad is appalling imo.

That some people don't find this offensive is a bit scary tbh.


*A bank that is apparently a supporter of the Simon Community let's not forget.

PeteFalk78

amdublin wrote: »

That some people don't find this offensive is a bit scary tbh.

You can find offense in nearly everything if you go looking for it.
I have really bad eyesight.....I think that the Specsavers ads are really offensive to people with impaired vision.

....not really.....

Pro Hoc Vice

amdublin wrote: »

I was out packing and delivering food hampers for 6 different charities this morning. I see the big world.

There is nothing funny about making the wrong choices in life and ending up homeless. That a bank* would see this as appropriate subject matter for an ad is appalling imo.

That some people don't find this offensive is a bit scary tbh.


*A bank that is apparently a supporter of the Simon Community let's not forget.

It can be easy to find offence where none was meant. I can bet you would find something I find offensive to be funny. Thankfully I love that fact that not all people think the same. That is the human condition. I personally find it offensive that you find my views "scary" see how easy it is to find offense. I do not know why my view can be scary to anyone.

amdublin

I take on board your point pro hoc vice and completely appreciate we are human and people find different things funny or offensive.

However at some point I feel that it's important that things are spoken out against. That a bank would use a person becoming homeless as a humorous ad becomes this point for me.
That a bank would point the finger and laugh at someone who works in a drive thru becomes that point also for me.

Into The Blue

amdublin wrote: »

That a bank would use a person becoming homeless as a humorous ad becomes this point for me.

Yes, for you.

Do you think you've made your point over the two threads and at this stage are just repeating the same points over and over and over and over again?

CountyHurler

Into The Blue wrote: »

Yes, for you. Do you think you've made your point over the two threads and at this stage are just repeating the same points over and over and over and over again?

I agree with Amdublin about the ad. Both ads are offensive and should have been pulled.. The ultimate irony I guess is that "any" banks are belittling the minimum wage workers who have to pay for their losses... I know we didnt bankroll Rabo specifically, but minimum wage workers had no choice but to pay for "every other" bank when they made terrible decisions themselves...

Given that the ad is advising the punters about making bad decisions, maybe it would be more appropriate that an ad should be made for the banks, to advise them against making bad investments... Just "any" borrower?

Gits_bone

First time seeing this ad on youtube. Funny enough I have to admit. He looks like yer man who owns insomnia cafe.

Fair play op. I'm normally impervious to adverts, but both myself and my OH commented that this ad was in bad taste when we saw it

amdublin

Into The Blue wrote: »

Yes, for you.

Do you think you've made your point over the two threads and at this stage are just repeating the same points over and over and over and over again?

This thread was opened to provide an update on the response from the ASAI. Rather than it dragging the other thread off on a tangent discussing one ad better to have this thread for it.
There are many new posters in this thread, (for and against the ads) no I don't think I've made my point and am repeating myself - as I've said this thread was started to provide new information.