Brilliant Reply to a Man's Facebook Rant

[garbon]

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/maxipad-brand-goes-blood-brilliant-reply-facebook-rant-144500

Old but I only just saw this. Made me laugh and cool move for a brand.

Brands often freeze up when they're criticized on Facebook. U.K. maxipad maker Bodyform makes the most of it.

A week ago, a man named Richard Neill posted a rant on Bodyform's Facebook wall, humorously calling out the brand for false advertising—saying his girlfriend doesn't have happy periods like those depicted in the ads, but instead becomes "the little girl from the exorcist with added venom and extra 360 degree head spin." The post has gotten more than 84,000 likes. Rather than ignore it, Bodyform one-upped Mr. Neill with the video below, in which it pretends to fess up about its pathological lying.

The clip is genius from the opening frames, as we see CEO Caroline Williams (actually played by an actress) pour herself a glass of blue water. "I think it's time we came clean," she says. "We lied to you, Richard, and I want to say sorry. ... Sorry." She goes on to facetiously explain why the company has used metaphorical imagery in its ads rather than focusing on "the blood coursing from our uteri like a crimson landslide."

It's an inspired bit of writing and performance, capped off by a hilarious ending. And it's brave to admit, even in the context of the joke, that your ads don't tell the whole story. Not every brand would feel comfortable doing this, or more to the point, have the skill to pull it off. Of course, it helped that Neill set the tone with his own comedy. Still, this is what great social engagement looks like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpy75q2DDow

[Admiral Yi]

Agreed, smooth move.

The exposed brick pillar doesn't work.  They need to lose that.

[garbon]

The exposed brick pillar doesn't work.  They need to lose that.

A problem that can happen when creative types get too creative.

[DGuller]

Agreed, smooth move.

The exposed brick pillar doesn't work.  They need to lose that.

What's "exposed brick pillar"?  I assume it's a metaphor of some kind?

[Admiral Yi]

It's a pillar made of exposed brick.

When fake CEO lady walks through the hall into the conference room.

[Ideologue]

I didn't care for the fart joke.  Yeah, women fart, but it's still fucking rude for anyone.  Silence that shit.

[grumbler]

The standards for brilliance certainly have been lowered a lot if this is "brilliant."  It is moderately funny (as much because the company decided to spend its money on such a thing as because of the content) but a far cry from brilliant.

[garbon]

The standards for brilliance certainly have been lowered a lot if this is "brilliant."  It is moderately funny (as much because the company decided to spend its money on such a thing as because of the content) but a far cry from brilliant.

That's nice.

[Ed Anger]

Grumbles is used to the act of Comicus, stand up philosopher.

[PDH]

I completely agree with Grumbler, it was brilliant.

[DGuller]

It's a pillar made of exposed brick.

When fake CEO lady walks through the hall into the conference room.

What's the significance of it, and in what way doesn't it work? 

[Razgovory]

Does Grumbler even debate anymore?  It seems like he mostly just come in to insult someone or make some snide and inane comment then leave.  It's like drive by trolling.

[Admiral Yi]

What's the significance of it, and in what way doesn't it work? 

Decorative to both.