Local Subaru dealers mock the swine flu

[JimH5]

In certain newspaper, on the lower half of page one of the lifestyle section, the local Subaru dealers have inexplicably tied a sales promotion to the swine flu epidemic.

"Go ahead, be a swine". .You can have it all with this fever-inducing deal. Then if you SMS the word Swine to their phone number you get the details on this promotion.


I'm dumbfounded at how idiotic that promotions manager must be to find humor and a sales hook in a disease that has killed people.

Seriously, someone needs to get a clue on what's appropriate in the pursuit of car sales.


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Moderator.

[akhild]

i wonder if they will continue their ads now.. after SG has a case.

their license shud be revoked. idiots.

[bigfilsing]

I can see how this may offend but you surely have to take this in a lighthearted way. There's a funny side to everything if you're willing to see it.

I remember a funeral company advertising " People are dying to be on our exclusive client list" back in the UK years ago.

Now which one of your personalities takes offence at this kind of thing. The one from Novena or the one from Newton

[JimH5]

Ah yes, countrymen and family members dying horrible, unexpected deaths. How silly of me to not see the opportunity to mine comedy gold--and sell product.

Maybe next week they'll find something funny to say about HIV/AIDS. Or some hilarious tie in to childhood leukemia. That would really move cars.

Lighthearted? Maybe you meant coldhearted.

[carteki]

You take yourself and life too seriously... There are numerous examples of "swine flu humour" going around. In the States there is a cartoon about the 1st black president and "pigs will fly" and a similar one in SA. There have been actual deaths in the US from Swine flu, yet they accept these. Humour is a way of reminding ourselves not to take life too seriously. We all die - unfortunately some sooner rather than later.

[jpatokal]

Well, it's not like Subaru has a monopoly on tasteless advertising...