AXA ad a shameless rip-off
I'm not normally one for pointing the finger at blatant rip-offs of other ads, sniggering and laughing.
But this example really makes me cringe.
First, check out this political message from Argentina's Lopez Murphy. (Stick with it – it's awfully dull until halfway through, when it suddenly gets linguistically inspiring.)
Then check out AXA's new ad.
Then cringe along with me and cry in unison "but who is responsible for this shameless piece of mimicry!".
Find those responsible.
And cut off their heads. (Figuratively speaking.)
Shame on you, AXA. Shame be upon your unoriginal heads!
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Comments and questions14
There is no excuse for this. This is a blatant rip off. I really hope that Axa didn't pay the agency (who is their agency by the way?) a concept fee for this campaign. Maybe someone should alert the Argentinians that they are due some royalty fees!!
It is such a lame attempt at a copy...dul dull dull, just like most people's perception of the indsutry
They could have at least finessed it a little like this copy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA
Get a life people.
I saw this two some month ago when it did the rounds. Powerful stuff.
It's a more a clever format than anything. AXA is not copying the message at all. In fact I expect to see a lot more communications using this format/idea because it is so powerful.
I'm sure the agency considered the issue - but went with it for it's power and effect. Sure the message it self could have been gruntier but I see no problem with the method.
If we format copying wasn't allowed where would the communications industry be?
This is not about copying a 'format', in this case the 'format' is the central idea. Once you've seen it once and know how it works it loses its impact so there would be no point in people re-using it and I seriously doubt any creative worth their salt would suggest such a thing.
I think trying to use that as an excuse is a bit of desperate post-rationalisation.
Saying as long as you change the words you can rip-off the format is like saying as long as you change the lyrics you can rip-off the music. Good luck with that argument.
This page looks a lot like so many other pages on the internet! Do you drive a generically styled jap car? And as for that hairstyle, that does look familiar. AXA has done a great job of making an ad that works and is interesting - way better than the slow boring one from Argentina. Well done AXA - I'm sure they are loving the free publicity you are providing (that ad must be value for money)!
Yes. I drive a Toyota Levin with pad-mounted roof racks and furry car seat covers. I just treated it to two new tyres, an oil change and some new brake fluid last week. I'm a little worried about the cam belt, to be honest, it's getting close to 160,000km and I think the Japanese sticker said it was last changed at 82,000km.
And you can leave the hair out of this, ok? Jeez, talk about below the belt.
Show me something that has not been done before.
Can Hazel Phillips prove that the Lopez Murphy ad on YouTube is based on an original idea by himself.
We all follow sheep and trends. Some trends have been around the block several times - so does good design. It lasts.
Hazel I bet you never realized your hair was eligible for creative awards.
Cannes here we come.
Actually I should add that I had the fan belt changed as well – it was coming to pieces and was three small fan belts rather than one functional one. If anyone would like to see a photo of a really munted fan belt, email adhoc@nbr.co.nz and I'll be happy to oblige.
Siobahn, this is not about good design. It's about an idea that, once seen, will never have the same impact again – cf the moonwalking bear ad. By its very nature, it becomes redundant.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and weep quietly into a pot of hair gel.
I think you have nice hair Hazel.
Hazel - you're right on the money with your criticism.
here's a test - whoever did it, if you're not ashamed of what you've done, step forward, put your name on the line and defend it
In this business we get paid for our ideas, it's that simple. So if the idea isn't original then I hope they got it for free.
Of course there are moral arguments as to why you shouldn't copy other peoples work but that comes down to the individual.
The personal comments against Hazel are embarrassing for the author. This isn't personal and Hazel should be commended for stating her opinion.
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