Billboard Campaign

Culchie

I see that new billboard campaign Paddy Power has for Poker has not gone down too well with some people.

(Depicting Jesus and disciples playing poker at The Last Supper)

Marketing Manager certainly got short thrift from RTE presenter this morning on Radio 1.

I was following this thread on the media/marketing forum yesterday as well.

Personally, I think it is offensive to an awful lot of people and was not one of their better ideas.

I'm no religious buff, but I certainly think this is very disrespectful to those who are.

I know we'll hear the 'no such thing as bad publicity' and ' it did the job, we are talking about it' clichés ..... however I think it is a big own goal.

What do you folks think?

karlh

surely the ad is a parody of the painting of the last supper and not suggesting that Jesus Christ had a home game before being led away for crucifixion.

not one for religion myself but its hardly blasphemy. if a skit on the painting of The Last Supper is taboo, what about the many ads that have used it before and the giant joke version of it in 'Little Italy' on the northside.


(he does seem to be winning in it too. go J!!!)

Washout

saw that poster at the sandymount dart station and i must say i was taken a back by it. I was sure it was gonna offend a heck of a lot of ppl but maybe thats the idea...to get talkshows talking about it and paddy power so that they get more ppl interested in it.

Rodge

It has been a proven marketing tactic for years though hasnt it.

Personally I feel we are way too sensitive these days. I have always had a problem with the whole Politically Correct bandwagon and this is an extension of that theme.

califano

so they have given sexual innuendo a break then.

Iago

I don't particularly like any of the adds I've seen to date, from the the guy who looks like he's not really paying attention to the poker, to the double up add (obviously aimed at the target market of 18-35 year old men, but still a bit tacky imo) and this latest installment which I think is in pretty poor taste.

I saw it in Dun laoire the other day and although I wouldn't be the most PC person in the world, I thought it was a bit much. But all publicity is good publicity...I guess

Dub13

We know from the thread last week that Jesus is a very good Heads Up player,now he is moving on to STTs.Its only a matter of time before he takes down a big MTT,watch out.

Imposter

I think it's a great idea. It'll get those who hate gambling annoyed but any advertising does that!

blaugranabhoy

Dub13 wrote:

We know from the thread last week that Jesus is a very good Heads Up player,now he is moving on to STTs.Its only a matter of time before he takes down a big MTT,watch out.

Seriously though, this ad is pushing it too far, if the marketing people at Paddy Power are so clever surely thay can come up with something effective that won't offend such a large proportion of the population.

ionapaul

I don't find the current ad (or the double up ads) as offensive as the 'furious masturbator' ads that horrified and amused us. Man that was a messed-up bit of craziness...he looked like he had flopped the nut flush and was about to go over-the-top...

Culchie

Imposter wrote:

I think it's a great idea. It'll get those who hate gambling annoyed but any advertising does that!

If I was very religious, (which I'm not) I would think depicting Christ gambling the night before he died on the cross pretty disgusting.

I think it does nothing for the Paddy Power brand at all.

LegacyUser

is there a linky for this ad?

Dub13

bruachain wrote:

is there a linky for this ad?

Its all around the city

Imposter

Dub13 wrote:

Its all around the city

What if you're in a different city?

whiskeyman

Just happened to catch this thread as it appeared on the index.
We're also discussing this over the the Advertising / Marketing forum.
As you will see, the ad is nothing new in terms of originality and is clearly there to provoke a PR complaints campaign = greater awareness.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=307141
I'll try and get a photo of it up in the next day or so... It seems to be located in major Dart stations.

Dub13

Imposter wrote:

What if you're in a different city?

I am sure somebody will have a link for all you ex-pats

Fatboydim

Walk aroung the Vatican and have a look at all the wealth and riches on display. Then listen to some local parish priest as he passes around the plate and asks people who have little or no money to give their last cent to the African Babies / war victims/ Tsunami victims / mission - whatever. -That is what I find offensive.

Two thousand years and the church has survived every kind of scandal, persecution and abuse. I think the PPP poster campaign is hardly a problem.

So I hope it's still up and about by the time I get to see a poster [As we don't have them in Westport] And consider this - The United colours of Benetton - was a company going nowhere until it got a reputation through it's shock advertising tactics. So I say well done the people at PPP.

whiskeyman

Fatboydim wrote:

Two thousand years and the church has survived every kind of scandal, persecution and abuse. I think the PPP poster campaign is hardly a problem.

But it is... it's clearly offensive to those of a religious belief in this country and it breaks current ASAI guidelines.
I know your overall view (and I actually agree with it), but you cant play that ball when coming down to defend the ad.

Fatboydim wrote:

And consider this - The United colours of Benetton - was a company going nowhere until it got a reputation through it's shock advertising tactics. So I say well done the people at PPP.

Got it its brand awareness, but ultimately was also the victim of it - they had to sack Toscani when things got out of control. They havent recovered since.
Of course many will find it funny and clever, but it's broken the ASAI guidelines as it's offensive.
It's a cheap stunt to be honest - it totally lacks creativity and has been done too many times before, but I admit it's probably going to be a huge success.
What does this say about its target audience or the state of advertising regulation?
Apparently the next advert will really ruffle some feathers.... there's more to come yet

Culchie

Who is advertising agency for Paddy Power?

barrera

"Of course many will find it funny and clever, but it's broken the ASAI guidelines as it's offensive."


Well the ASAI guidelines are moronic, a charter for cranks and the hyper-sensitive to impose their pathetic sensitivities on the rest of us. Like the Renault Megane 'shaking your ass' ad being considered demeaning to women, or the Carte d'Or ad with the old woman saying 'he's not your dad, we never knew who your dad was' being considered offensive to older people (two genuine rulings of ASAI in recent times).

That said, the moment I saw the PP ad, it was obvious this was a deliberate attempt to generate controversy rather than an innocent error. It doesn't offend me, but it would genuinely offend a lot of sincere people, and not just the cranks. They wouldn't dare use similar imagery from non-Christian religions in such a way.

whiskeyman

not sure who their agency here is, but I think these campaigns were originally used in the UK.
I dont think they've used the image in question in the UK though - they already came under fire for this one http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1372459.stm
four years ago and they'd come under a severe backlash if they tried it.
They've just kept it to online and viral I think.

karlh

Culchie wrote:

I would think depicting Christ gambling the night before he died on the cross pretty disgusting.

it's a parody of an iconic painting.

even if it was making light of Jesus' death, other religions and religious imagery are used all the time for commercial purposes and nobody seems to have any problem with is.

anyone been to the Buddha Bar? i don't hear Andy Black giving out!

don't think my Cruxifiction Café would be allowed to open any time soon. I think we should ask ourselves if this double standard is acceptable anymore.




i'll have the Judas burger btw.

jtsuited

have to agree that eastern religious iconography has been hijacked to a diplorable degree here (buddha bar etc. as already mentioned.)
But I just flat out really don't like PPP advertising methods. They come across as tacky and trashy, lacking in any wit, and aimed at the giggling schoolgirl/schoolboy part of our psyche.
I think i'd actually consider playing on PPP if they didn't have such stupid advertising. Honestly!!

Culchie

karlh wrote:

it's a parody of an iconic painting.

even if it was making light of Jesus' death, other religions and religious imagery are used all the time for commercial purposes and nobody seems to have any problem with is.

anyone been to the Buddha Bar? i don't hear Andy Black giving out!

don't think my Cruxifiction Café would be allowed to open any time soon. I think we should ask ourselves if this double standard is acceptable anymore.


i'll have the Judas burger btw.

The advert doesn't particularily bother me (I've lost my way a long time ago).

That said, no matter what way you look at it, the ad was meant to offend people, it was meant to create controversy.

I personally think it shows that PPP has not been able to get their message accross to consumers during their 6 month on-line so far, and have decided to resort to shock tactics to get their name out there.

Being offensive to a large proportion of the population is not very clever in my opinion.

It's cheap and tacky stuff really. You can be funny and get your point accross (RaboDirect-Straight Talking, John Smith-No Nonsene, Carlsberg-Customer Complaints Phone) without causing genuine offence to people, especially older people.

It shows an immaturity and lack of respect.

Fatboydim

I think it shows how far Ireland has come on - This kind of campaign would have been unthinkable pre-Tiger.

I remember about ten years ago buying a xmas card for me mammy with a cartoon of JPII holding a packet of frozen peas. The caption said [Do it in Polish accent] Let there be peas this Christmas.

My mum didn't find it funny.

murfie

Genius, absolute genius. What great exposure they are getting. Look two rather large threads on this site alone! Jesus is cleaning up though, but pity he didnt have much time to spend the money after that, aww poor guy.

Lafortezza

Cue a huge apology from a PPP spokesman on national media in which he/she mentions Paddy Power Poker eleventy billion times and urges people to check it out and make up their own minds.

Imposter

lafortezza wrote:

Cue a huge apology from a PPP spokesman on national media in which he/she mentions Paddy Power Poker eleventy billion times and urges people to check it out and make up their own minds.

A bit like this forum then*






*I better be good and not say anything bad about PPP

Tourneque

Maybe I've a thick skin - but I'd only be offended if Jesus didn't have all the chips...

whiskeyman

lafortezza wrote:

Cue a huge apology from a PPP spokesman on national media in which he/she mentions Paddy Power Poker eleventy billion times and urges people to check it out and make up their own minds.

PP Spokesperson / manager was on Ryan Tubridy radio show already this morning.
No apology though... defended ad and mentioned paddypower.com at every available opportunity :rolleyes:
Expect this to roll on and on... apparently the next ad is even more offensive!

mewso

They should parody the sermon on the mount next...

Blessed are those who respect my UTG pre-flop raises for they shall be easily bluffed.
Blessed are the meek who do not attack my blinds and give away their own too easily.
Blessed are the deal makers when I am short-stacked for they will improve my ITM %.

I've said too much.

DubTony

Really, isn't advertising all about raising awareness of brands and new products? PPP is a relatively new product and it's getting lots of exposure now. Surely the majority of PPP's target market wouldn't be offended and those that would be would hardly be the type to step into a bookies either. In business you target a particular market, and as for the rest of them ... well ... who cares?

Interesting that we haven't heard from PPP on the thread.

Personally I don't feel it's offensive, but then even if JC was on the cross playing 3 handed with the other guys and shouting out "ALL-IN", I wouldn't be offended either. [shrug]But that's me ... [/shrug]

califano

musician wrote:

Blessed are the deal makers when I am short-stacked for they will improve my ITM %.

lol!!

Lafortezza

Apologies for the poor mspaint skillz

Marq

Best. Ad. Ever.

still won't be playing on paddypower until they support neteller.

Ste05

some great posts there lafortezza and musician.

A big LOL to you both...

Imposter

I find all this very insulting. I wish to complain.




























wp lafortezza and muso

mewso

Mind you the others could learn a thing or two from Judas. He has the sense to sit at the table with a decent bankroll.

BigDragon

musician wrote:

Mind you the others could learn a thing or two from Judas. He has the sense to sit at the table with a decent bankroll.

I think a little pee escaped there...LMFAO.

hotspur

Advertising brilliance, like PP paying out on Chelsea having won the league today! The ad guy or paddy power guy was on the radio getting abuse about depicting Jesus palying poker and he said "well at least we made him the chip leader" lol

Narrow

every one talking bout it so it must be working wouldnt say they to bothered bout negative response, just in case they paid out on chelsea wining premiership more people proberly talking about that!

The Gecko

karlh wrote:

it's a parody of an iconic painting.

I have to agree with KarlH on this. Its a parody of a sitiuation that may or may not of happened. In fact its a parody of a painting that is based on a situation that may or may not have happened.

The fact that some people may be "upset" by it is irrelevent and not really PPs responsibility. Its not like they are depicting something that is truely disturbing, compared to say what the Catholic Instituition has done over the years....

Its about time the offended masses take responsibility for there own reactions to pseudo-shocking adverts rather then running around looking for someone to blame for upsetting them. In fact I would go as far as to say that those who are complaining should read up a bit more on what the preach and let he/she who is without sin lob the first stone

PPP-Pit Boss

Sorry for lack of response I was away whilst you were all debating this thread. Offensive? No it is not meant to be. Fun? Definitely. I have not noticed one person bemoaning Leonardo De Vinci turning in his grave at the prospect of being parodied. I have seen Mona Lisa smoking a joint outside the Louvre.. oh we all agree that THAT was hillarious. On a personal note I think we need to lighten up! Its only fun and games after all.

blaugranabhoy

The Gecko wrote:

I have to agree with KarlH on this. Its a parody of a sitiuation that may or may not of happened. In fact its a parody of a painting that is based on a situation that may or may not have happened.

The fact that some people may be "upset" by it is irrelevent and not really PPs responsibility. Its not like they are depicting something that is truely disturbing, compared to say what the Catholic Instituition has done over the years....

Its about time the offended masses take responsibility for there own reactions to pseudo-shocking adverts rather then running around looking for someone to blame for upsetting them. In fact I would go as far as to say that those who are complaining should read up a bit more on what the preach and let he/she who is without sin lob the first stone

OK Gecko, imagine something you care deeply about, say the death a a parent or loved one, was used as a marketing tool by a bookies. This is how strongly a lot of Irish people feel about their faith. Not everybody I grant you, but a large number. I read recently a piece that stated that a measure of the degree of civilisation of a modern society is the attitude of the dominant culture towards minority groups. I think that Paddy Power has really pissed off a minority just to get their brand in the news. It sickens me to be honest.

For the record I'm not religious, but I am open to other people's opinions and willing to accept that they have their own beliefs as long as they're not in the business of interfering with me. Decent people deserve a bit of respect.

I love taking the moral high ground but I'm still not closing my pp account.

(That's paddypower, not my local parish priest's Sunday collection)

Ste05

PPP-Pit Boss wrote:

Sorry for lack of response I was away whilst you were all debating this thread. Offensive? No it is not meant to be. Fun? Definitely. I have not noticed one person bemoaning Leonardo De Vinci turning in his grave at the prospect of being parodied. I have seen Mona Lisa smoking a joint outside the Louvre.. oh we all agree that THAT was hillarious. On a personal note I think we need to lighten up! Its only fun and games after all.

Good work Pit Boss - stoking the fires to get this going again, it must be bonus time.........LOL

Doc Farrell

Personally I like the ad and i think it is very well put together

however

lets be honest here, there are plenty of iconic images that could have been parodied. The Last Supper was used because of the Christian backlash that was inevitable. A brilliant and deeply cynical marketing ploy.

but it does remind me of a story i heard. A few years ago a priest used to play in an end of week game and asked if they wouldnt mind moving it to the start of the week as he would have more money after the Sunday collections!

... haven't seen him around much come to think of it....

as far as i know...
Paddy Power jnr set up a stall in St. Peter's square when they were voting for the new pope and took wagers as to when the white smoke would rise. I think the winner got a prize and no money changed hands. But he got publicity all over the world, some good, some bad.

One perspective says 'its all fun and games' and another says its insulting to the beliefs held by many Irish people. Personally I would keep gambling far from religion but PP seem happy enough to live with the consequences....

Madmike

i havent seen the posters yet but i think it serves its purpose in raising the profile of ppp ask pitbull you may gat a funny response from her on it...........

Marq

PPP-Pit Boss wrote:

Its only fun and games after all.

No it's not, it's marketing. I think the people on this board realise the difference and you'd do better not to treat us like children by telling us otherwise. I think that by and large the comments on this thread have been quite insightful (or, hilarious) and that nobody has been in any way hostile to this paddy power campaign. We see it for what it is. Some of us like it, others may not, but we all know that Paddy Power doesn't shell out tens of thousands a day to billboard companys for some "fun and games".

jtsuited

Well said Marq

PPP-Pit Boss

Im just giving you my personal opinion. Cool yer jets. I am not responsible for the campaign. I think its great.

Culchie

MacawleyRea would have come up with the campaign, but Paddy Power would brief and sign off.

I wonder how the ad would have been received if they did something on Islam?