Did everyone at Kia's ad agency just come out of a 20-year coma?
I realize that Flashdance is still reasonably well-known, but it came out in 1983. That's nearly 25 years ago. Way to be relevant there, Kia. Also, is it me or is this really just kind of creepy? Would you buy a car from a frantically dancing salesperson who was pouring sweat? The whole "selling like he's never sold before" lyric is a little strange as well. Here's the thing, Kia: if I'm interested in buying a car from you, I don't really care how well your sales guy is doing at meeting his monthly quota. I'm interested in, you know, the car. Maybe you could have told me something about them besides their names? That might have been useful. Instead of the exotic dance moves from a quarter-century ago and the mailed-in song parody.
Maybe the problem is just that Kia has no idea what year it is. Check out this ad for Kia Fest '06:
Kia. Seriously. It is not 1984. I don't want to see Kia Fest '08 videos featuring breakdancing or some salesperson re-enacting the warehouse scene from Footloose, okay? It's the 21st century. Get with the program.
They're tongue-in-cheek, but they're also stupid even if there's a sense of irony. I don't understand why these would make me want to buy a Kia in the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteIn the Flashdance spot, I could have done without seeing a middle-aged white man thrust his pelvis against the car.
Yeah, things aren't inherently funny just for being winking. I call it the Family Guy Rule - a reference to something else, no matter how amusingly dated or nostalgia-inducing, is not the same as a joke.
ReplyDeleteI love 'em...I'm 32 years old and totally remember this time in the 80's. If anything they're appealing to the people in my age group who have some nostalgia regarding the 80's and find the humor in these ads. They're great. I'm guessing you two are likely in your 20's judging from the inept commentary. So, they're not playing an unknown pop song that shoots the band into severe stardom overnight....and it's not the usual dry, sarcasm that most ads are conditioning us to...it's nostalgic, it's funny and if you were a teen or early 20 yr-old, you can very much relate to the humor.
ReplyDeleteI assume you're talking about the second ad since your comment makes no sense in relation to the first one. And as sure as I am that you were dancing the night away to Flock of Seagulls in the clubs when you were seven years old, get the fuck over it. To the extent that Kia has any joke here, it's "Remember how lame stuff was in the 80s? Check it out!" Sane people would cringe, not reminisce about that time they were ten years old and their cool older brother had a stupid haircut like that. Who are you even talking about when you say "teen or early 20-year-old," since you were barely into your teens when the 80s ended and nowhere near them when the shit pictured was considered the peak of coolness?
ReplyDeleteI am a 36 year old male, and think this commercial is the most inane ad I have ever witnessed. All it makes me do is feel bad for people who actually buy a KIA.
ReplyDeleteWhoever came up with that ad (as well as whoever approved it) should be fired.
"flock of seagulls, lol", oh wise 32-year old, you truly have called us 20-somethings on our bluff. All Winder and I ever wanted was to be able to write inept commentary that wouldn't betray our youth. We should really just stop the whole blog. Teach me to appreciate 80's humor! Teach me to love non-sardonic advertising!
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record, Windier and I are both 68-year old rooster farmers.
Man this is a stupid commercial. I'm 53. I was grown up when I viewed Flashdance. It had a meaning. This commerical with an out of shape, white, untalented salesperson dancing around like a ding bat put me off KIA. I bought a Chevy Impala instead. Good work KIA!!
ReplyDeleteWho cares. This commerical makes me laugh every time I see it.
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