I have to wonder who Audi is targeting with this ad. Are they really mocking their target demographic and then trying to sell them a car? I suspect they are trying to target the people who haven't yet worked up the energy to ride their bike more often, who realize the environment is important and that they should be doing something about it, but all that they know in terms of alternatives are stereotypes (which Audi plays firmly into as they try to sell more cars, making people who choose other options look uncomfortable, inconvenienced, or dorky). Either way, I agree with @chrisbaskind that the ad is "ill-considered."
I'd love to see a parody of this ad along the following lines (I'm sure someone else could polish this more, but you get the concept):
Scenes: Woman in car in rush hour traffic, obviously frustrated, horns blaring. Man on the side of the road with steam coming out from under the hood. Woman trying to start the car in the morning and it just won't turn over.
Voiceover: Many people assume they can't do anything because of the way things are. Some want to change the way things are.
Scene: Man on bike passing rush hour traffic on the shoulder.
Disclosure: When I'm not biking, walking, or using mass transit, I drive a '99 TDI (and although it doesn't have a tattered "Powered by Vegetable Oil" bumper sticker, I am part of a biodiesel co-op that is putting together systems to convert waste veggie oil from local restaurants into biodiesel).
From @chrisbaskind on Twitter, who hated it so much he tweeted about it twice:
Here's an ill-considered "green" ad from Audi that guarantees I'll never buy an Audi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtbaMTRg8xY
I tweeted this nasty "green" Audi ad last night, and I'm still mad. Why insult your customers?
Crossposted at CEDC (where I work).
My novel, Clutching Dust and Stars, was named "Best First Novel, 2009" by Hearts and Minds! Click below to learn more or order a copy.
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