October 31, 2012

So Brad is the new face of Chanel No.5 and it’s creating a sensation – but maybe not what Chanel had in mind? Before sharing a few of the highlights, I personally think it is a brilliant move by Chanel to feature a bloke like Brad Pitt as the face of Chanel No. 5. As a long-term and very loyal fan of the fragrance (except in Singapore where it just doesn’t seem to smell right in this humidity) I applaud them for making the current “face” a man. As a general rule, sexy and ageless Brad will definitely appeal across the female age spectrum as the majority of gals think he’s hot. So I like it – even if it is completely corny, but so what? However what has followed as a result of the ad has captured my attention more. Just in case you haven’t seen it, here’s the advert It’s a bit corny and squirmy don’t you think? I mean he looks uncomfortable and that makes me feel uncomfortable when I watch it. With that said, I LIKE it. The media do not agree with me and here are some media highlights. The Daily Mail reckon it’s really an underlying message about Ang and Jen – really? They also claim it’s an outdated perfume brand – really REALLY? The Guardian was unrelenting in its criticism, as well as towards those who’ve done it before – especially “Our” Nicole. The “Celebrity Fix” NineMSN really did leave the verdict up in the air, although a TV host said it’s put her off her favourite. We are talking about Chanel No. 5 right Lisa? You don’t just go off it – unless you move to Singapore. And finally eOnline is a publication that got it right, claiming it’s “Crazy Genius.” Since launch, the campaign has taken a different turn to Chanel’s normal marketing campaigns, going viral in a very different way than I’m sure they expected. Here are some of my favourite spoofs Kim Jong Il (aka Team America) has to go on top just because“Oh hi Hans Brix. Have you any idea how fucken busy I am.”   I love this guys’ beard. I’m presuming this is a lad from Melbourne (a self-proclaimed Lebo Wog) – I like him.   I found the eye focus of this version appropriate.   A “fat” Englishman’s interpretation – a charmer. A Scottish version – obviously for alcohol.   And of course, I had to include a Singapore-version, because this made me really laugh – it’s perfect.   Now that you’ve seen seven, it’s probably enough. It does get tedious after a while, so anyone thinking of contributing in future has to be sensational or those YouTube hits just ain’t going to happen. Overall, I do think it’s crazy genius, because Chanel No. 5 has built brand awareness far around the globe with this baby and not in a negative way – in a funny way. You can’t plan for that. Chanel have done some great stuff here – they picked Brad Pitt, they’ve put a man as their “face” of the brand for the first time, it’s somehow managed to go viral, and they are inadvertently entertaining people like me. Also I reckon Brad and Ang are probably hanging out on the couch with their tablets having a right ol’ laugh at everyone’s interpretation, because let’s face a fact – Brad Pitt can do no wrong, and he will only benefit from this – especially because he can laugh at himself. Suffice to say, I think it’s gold. What do you think? Anyone got any favourite spoofs to share? Yours, without the bollocks Andrea