Comments on: Ad Nauseam: The Humiliated Cyclist, Take Two http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: brian k. http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-49235 brian k. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:31:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-49235 nick/#16- dead on. somewhere along the line, the simplicity of the bicycle got spun into "childish", and the economical and time-tested nature of it as a machine got confused with "cheap" and "old-fashioned." nick/#16- dead on. somewhere along the line, the simplicity of the bicycle got spun into "childish", and the economical and time-tested nature of it as a machine got confused with "cheap" and "old-fashioned."

]]> By: david goldstein http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48726 david goldstein Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:14:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48726 My opinion is that the underlying offense in this little piece o' propaganda is that farmers is quite awful to deal with in the event of any kind of a claim. They treat their policyholders poorly, they treat their liability charges even worse. Having recently endured a little tour of the medical/legal system at farmers' expense, I can state from personal experience that there is no insurer more universally despised by doctors, lawyers, and juries than farmers at this time. Just don't buy anything they're selling. My opinion is that the underlying offense in this little piece o' propaganda is that farmers is quite awful to deal with in the event of any kind of a claim. They treat their policyholders poorly, they treat their liability charges even worse.
Having recently endured a little tour of the medical/legal system at farmers' expense, I can state from personal experience that there is no insurer more universally despised by doctors, lawyers, and juries than farmers at this time.
Just don't buy anything they're selling.

]]> By: Nick http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48721 Nick Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:41:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48721 I think one of the major reasons bikes are looked down upon is because they're inexpensive. These days, saving and spending wisely aren't valued bahaviours the way they were when my parents were growing up. The US debt culture reflects this. No longer are people stigmatized for being $100k in debt, they're stigmatized if they're not driving a $100k from and to their house in the suburbs. There's a broad and I think largely unrecognized (on an individual level) perception that if someone is riding a bike, they obviously can't afford a car. Good old classism reasserting itself in new and subtle ways. Or maybe they're just jealous of my rock-hard ass. I think one of the major reasons bikes are looked down upon is because they're inexpensive. These days, saving and spending wisely aren't valued bahaviours the way they were when my parents were growing up. The US debt culture reflects this. No longer are people stigmatized for being $100k in debt, they're stigmatized if they're not driving a $100k from and to their house in the suburbs. There's a broad and I think largely unrecognized (on an individual level) perception that if someone is riding a bike, they obviously can't afford a car. Good old classism reasserting itself in new and subtle ways.

Or maybe they're just jealous of my rock-hard ass.

]]> By: Ben Ginsberg http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48670 Ben Ginsberg Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:12:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48670 I admit, I actually laughed a bit at the State Farm ad. It was an attempt at humor with a lackluster performance, though at least they mention bikes as an alternative to cars. And it is nice to not only see their response, but hear about the alternative options State Farm offers their employees. But the Farmers’ HelpPoint ad? Well, it’s just negative. It separates out the pleasure/competitive cyclist with those who might seek to use it as a commuting alternative. It demoralizes the man in the ad by putting him on the little kid’s bike and running him through a veritable gauntlet. To me, the entire commercial seems to accept that we live in the car dominated world, while at the same time saying that to be without a car is both physically dangerous and hazardous to one's health (pollution), not to mention entirely inconvenient. Then they sum it all up with “Life can be hard after a car accident...One call to Farmers' HelpPoint could fix that." It's really saying, DON'T LET WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS GUY HAPPEN TO YOU; WE CAN PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO YOU! A truly disgusting, ridiculing message by Farmers’ HelpPoint. I admit, I actually laughed a bit at the State Farm ad. It was an attempt at humor with a lackluster performance, though at least they mention bikes as an alternative to cars. And it is nice to not only see their response, but hear about the alternative options State Farm offers their employees.

But the Farmers’ HelpPoint ad? Well, it’s just negative. It separates out the pleasure/competitive cyclist with those who might seek to use it as a commuting alternative. It demoralizes the man in the ad by putting him on the little kid’s bike and running him through a veritable gauntlet.

To me, the entire commercial seems to accept that we live in the car dominated world, while at the same time saying that to be without a car is both physically dangerous and hazardous to one's health (pollution), not to mention entirely inconvenient. Then they sum it all up with “Life can be hard after a car accident...One call to Farmers' HelpPoint could fix that." It's really saying, DON'T LET WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS GUY HAPPEN TO YOU; WE CAN PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO YOU! A truly disgusting, ridiculing message by Farmers’ HelpPoint.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48590 Mitch Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:07:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48590 Here's an <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=STn7GvYUxL0" rel="nofollow">ad</a> from New Belgium Brewing, that takes a more enthusiastic view of bike commuting. Here's an ad from New Belgium Brewing, that takes a more enthusiastic view of bike commuting.

]]> By: somewhere in nyc http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48583 somewhere in nyc Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:34:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48583 What do you expect? Bear with me for a minute, and think about how creative (read: uncreative) advertising agencies are. One agency does a theme, and the others follow. (Examples: Budweiser->Miller/Coors; Sprint Guy->Verizon Guy; Dell Guy->Apple Guy; etc, etc, etc). While one may take a theme and refine it, it's the same rehashed themes over and over and over again. In respect to anti-bike sentiment, while it's all well and good that State Farm pulled their ad, they didn't publically state *why* they pulled their ad, so no one's thinking has changed whatsoever (besides State Farm -- if that). In other people's mind, their thinking (let's call it advertising logic) dictates that a) they found it funny [because they didn't know any better]; b) the ad didn't do well so that's why State Farm pulled it; c) we can do better so let's rehash the theme. Unless an ad comes out that respects bikers (or as the previous person said: shows how vulnerable bikes are), expect to hate the next batch of ads that will come from advertising agencies whose major clients are insurance companies. What do you expect? Bear with me for a minute, and think about how creative (read: uncreative) advertising agencies are.

One agency does a theme, and the others follow. (Examples: Budweiser->Miller/Coors; Sprint Guy->Verizon Guy; Dell Guy->Apple Guy; etc, etc, etc). While one may take a theme and refine it, it's the same rehashed themes over and over and over again.

In respect to anti-bike sentiment, while it's all well and good that State Farm pulled their ad, they didn't publically state *why* they pulled their ad, so no one's thinking has changed whatsoever (besides State Farm -- if that).

In other people's mind, their thinking (let's call it advertising logic) dictates that a) they found it funny [because they didn't know any better]; b) the ad didn't do well so that's why State Farm pulled it; c) we can do better so let's rehash the theme.

Unless an ad comes out that respects bikers (or as the previous person said: shows how vulnerable bikes are), expect to hate the next batch of ads that will come from advertising agencies whose major clients are insurance companies.

]]> By: Not Offended Yet http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48539 Not Offended Yet Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:51:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48539 I saw this ad and was not offended. I think the ad does do a little to raise awareness of the fact that people on bikes are vulnerable (we are!) although it does nothing to show that riding a bike to work can be pleasurable, fast, and improve your overall health. But there is a bike in the background that zooms by this poor sap, maybe it's a subliminally placed message to appease real bike commuters. The whole thing about truck pollution seemed relevant to me. Also, when gets passed by a jerk in a Honda at the end, the driver is the one who looks like a jerk, not the protagonist. I saw this ad and was not offended. I think the ad does do a little to raise awareness of the fact that people on bikes are vulnerable (we are!) although it does nothing to show that riding a bike to work can be pleasurable, fast, and improve your overall health. But there is a bike in the background that zooms by this poor sap, maybe it's a subliminally placed message to appease real bike commuters. The whole thing about truck pollution seemed relevant to me. Also, when gets passed by a jerk in a Honda at the end, the driver is the one who looks like a jerk, not the protagonist.

]]> By: Sam Clifford http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48518 Sam Clifford Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:17:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48518 If not having a car has diminished his freedom and forced him on to the bike, why's he riding a kid's bike instead of spending all that saved petrol money on a nice hybrid or a zippy road bike? Oh, I get it. It's because he's had a car accident, written off his car and is still miraculously able to ride a bike. Har har he's on a bike and bieks r stoopid. If not having a car has diminished his freedom and forced him on to the bike, why's he riding a kid's bike instead of spending all that saved petrol money on a nice hybrid or a zippy road bike?

Oh, I get it. It's because he's had a car accident, written off his car and is still miraculously able to ride a bike.

Har har he's on a bike and bieks r stoopid.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48516 Andy B from Jersey Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:02:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48516 Damned! Jason A in #7 said before I could. However I totally disagree with MikeM in #8. This ad just perpetuates conformity and addiction to the car culture with petty ridicule and same tactics. This insurance company doesn't want you to find alternatives. The more you drive the more money they make. The car insurance companies are just as bad as the car companies themselves. If you don't own a car you wouldn't need their services. And if you drive less like I do (under 5000 miles a year, all pleasure driving, no commuting - do that by bike) you pay less too. Also not good for them. Damned! Jason A in #7 said before I could.

However I totally disagree with MikeM in #8. This ad just perpetuates conformity and addiction to the car culture with petty ridicule and same tactics.

This insurance company doesn't want you to find alternatives. The more you drive the more money they make. The car insurance companies are just as bad as the car companies themselves. If you don't own a car you wouldn't need their services. And if you drive less like I do (under 5000 miles a year, all pleasure driving, no commuting - do that by bike) you pay less too. Also not good for them.

]]> By: MisterBad Example http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48515 MisterBad Example Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:53:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48515 This seems to be no small coincidence--a couple of years ago, the meme was about automotive power as an alternative to athleticism. Remember the guy parachuting to his SUV, or the BMW driver pulling up next to a runner and acting as if he'd just run a marathon? I think we should all be on the lookout for the growing anti-bicycle meme perpetuated by those whose livelihoods depend on selling cars and their related accessories. Let's face it-- if more drivers got off on the idea that they could commute to work by bike, Farmers would be in some trouble. This seems to be no small coincidence--a couple of years ago, the meme was about automotive power as an alternative to athleticism. Remember the guy parachuting to his SUV, or the BMW driver pulling up next to a runner and acting as if he'd just run a marathon?

I think we should all be on the lookout for the growing anti-bicycle meme perpetuated by those whose livelihoods depend on selling cars and their related accessories. Let's face it-- if more drivers got off on the idea that they could commute to work by bike, Farmers would be in some trouble.

]]> By: MikeM http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48514 MikeM Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:09:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48514 Look, you guys do great work, and your success with the last insurance commercial was all net. But I don't think you got it with this one. I mean, it even compares him to another bicyclist at one point. Sorry. Look, you guys do great work, and your success with the last insurance commercial was all net. But I don't think you got it with this one. I mean, it even compares him to another bicyclist at one point. Sorry.

]]> By: Jason A http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48513 Jason A Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:54:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48513 At :05 - :08 he's actually out-pacing traffic. Who looks ridiculous now? At :05 - :08 he's actually out-pacing traffic.

Who looks ridiculous now?

]]> By: Damien Newton http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48510 Damien Newton Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:09:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48510 All these ads tell me is that we're winning. It might not be a landslide yet, and there might be some big losses along the way, but car culture is getting scared of us. All these ads tell me is that we're winning. It might not be a landslide yet, and there might be some big losses along the way, but car culture is getting scared of us.

]]> By: dbs http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48509 dbs Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:59:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48509 This reminds me of the bike I rode at Burning Man. According to Advertolog, this commercial was made by Campbell-Ewald LA. (They also have an office in the Motor City.) Should we sick SB LA on 'em? How quickly can we get this one pulled!?!? Similar to the CP debacle, the blame game is an interesting one. Is it more the agency's fault or the client's fault. Or, were they unaware that a brand new adult-sized bicycle costs a fraction of a month of car payments/insurance/gas etc? Did they not know that exercise has a better effect on sanity compared to being stuck in stop and go traffic? http://www.advertolog.com/paedia/reels/2008/4/7/511338/ Released: April 2008 Brand name: Farmers HelpPoint Agency: CAMPBELL-EWALD Country: USA Category: Banking Campbell-Ewald, Los Angeles wanted to generate awareness and consideration of Farmers HelpPoint, a unique service that goes to work immediately after an accident or loss to restore not only physically but emotionally as well. Product : Farmers HelpPoint Agency : Campbell-Ewald Los Angeles Executive Creative Director: Bill Ludwig Creative Director: Debbie Karnowsky Art Director: Chip Kettering Copywriter: John Dolab Agency Producer: John Haggerty Director: Dante Ariola Prod. Co. : MJZ, Los Angeles Country : United States of America Other Credits : Editing: Rick Russel, Final Cut Colorist: Stefan Sonnenfeld, Company3 Visual Effects: The Mill Music: Stimmung P.S. It seems they want to know what we think: http://www.campbell-ewald.com/contact/ MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE OF OUR MIDWEST UPBRINGING, BUT WE WERE ALWAYS TAUGHT TO LISTEN FIRST. SO LET US HEAR FROM YOU. WANT TO WORK WITH US? WANT TO WORK FOR US? WANT TO CHAT ABOUT OUR WORK, OR SOMETHING ON THIS SITE THAT ESPECIALLY CAUGHT YOUR INTEREST? PICK UP THE PHONE OR SHOOT US AN E-MAIL. WE'RE ALL EARS. Detroit: (586) 574-3400 Los Angeles: (310) 231-2900 This reminds me of the bike I rode at Burning Man.

According to Advertolog, this commercial was made by Campbell-Ewald LA. (They also have an office in the Motor City.) Should we sick SB LA on 'em?
How quickly can we get this one pulled!?!?

Similar to the CP debacle, the blame game is an interesting one. Is it more the agency's fault or the client's fault.

Or, were they unaware that a brand new adult-sized bicycle costs a fraction of a month of car payments/insurance/gas etc?

Did they not know that exercise has a better effect on sanity compared to being stuck in stop and go traffic?

http://www.advertolog.com/paedia/reels/2008/4/7/511338/

Released: April 2008
Brand name: Farmers HelpPoint
Agency: CAMPBELL-EWALD
Country: USA
Category: Banking
Campbell-Ewald, Los Angeles wanted to generate awareness and consideration of Farmers HelpPoint, a unique service that goes to work immediately after an accident or loss to restore not only physically but emotionally as well.

Product : Farmers HelpPoint
Agency : Campbell-Ewald Los Angeles
Executive Creative Director: Bill Ludwig
Creative Director: Debbie Karnowsky
Art Director: Chip Kettering
Copywriter: John Dolab
Agency Producer: John Haggerty
Director: Dante Ariola
Prod. Co. : MJZ, Los Angeles
Country : United States of America
Other Credits : Editing: Rick Russel, Final Cut
Colorist: Stefan Sonnenfeld, Company3
Visual Effects: The Mill
Music: Stimmung

P.S. It seems they want to know what we think:
http://www.campbell-ewald.com/contact/
MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE OF OUR MIDWEST UPBRINGING, BUT WE WERE ALWAYS TAUGHT TO LISTEN FIRST. SO LET US HEAR FROM YOU. WANT TO WORK WITH US? WANT TO WORK FOR US? WANT TO CHAT ABOUT OUR WORK, OR SOMETHING ON THIS SITE THAT ESPECIALLY CAUGHT YOUR INTEREST? PICK UP THE PHONE OR SHOOT US AN E-MAIL.
WE'RE ALL EARS.
Detroit:
(586) 574-3400
Los Angeles:
(310) 231-2900

]]> By: delusional http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48508 delusional Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:47:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48508 Sanity makes a comeback????????????? Sanity makes a comeback?????????????

]]> By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48504 ddartley Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:56:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48504 I like how even the fact that the guy signals that he's turning is laughable. Also, maybe I'm over-sensitive, but way the logo crahes at the end and sprays debris everywhere looks really disturbing to me. Looks a little too much like a real smash-up, which is a pretty horrifying thing. And then the way it fixes itself up almost looks cute. Ooooopsies! I was doing 60 in a 30 and smashed into someone! Soooorrreeeee!!! ;-) ;-) !!! I like how even the fact that the guy signals that he's turning is laughable.

Also, maybe I'm over-sensitive, but way the logo crahes at the end and sprays debris everywhere looks really disturbing to me. Looks a little too much like a real smash-up, which is a pretty horrifying thing. And then the way it fixes itself up almost looks cute.

Ooooopsies! I was doing 60 in a 30 and smashed into someone! Soooorrreeeee!!! ;-) ;-) !!!

]]> By: BicyclesOnly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48498 BicyclesOnly Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:21:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48498 I hate the humiliating perspective on cycling, but it did give me a chuckle as sometimes I'm in this situation. If my son leaves his bike at school because he goes home with a friend, and the next day I drop him off at school without a bike, I'll continue on to work on his bike. It's not quite as small as the one in the ad, but I definitely draw stares (especially from other cyclists) as I'm way too big for it, and it makes me slower and more vulnerable in traffic. Plus, like the guy in the ad, I'm often in a suit. And damn it, it IS hard to climb hills with a single speed! I guess the lesson is that it is ridiculous to stake your self-worth on how others view your mode of transportation (one of the fundamental aspects and drivers of car culture). I hate the humiliating perspective on cycling, but it did give me a chuckle as sometimes I'm in this situation. If my son leaves his bike at school because he goes home with a friend, and the next day I drop him off at school without a bike, I'll continue on to work on his bike.

It's not quite as small as the one in the ad, but I definitely draw stares (especially from other cyclists) as I'm way too big for it, and it makes me slower and more vulnerable in traffic. Plus, like the guy in the ad, I'm often in a suit. And damn it, it IS hard to climb hills with a single speed!

I guess the lesson is that it is ridiculous to stake your self-worth on how others view your mode of transportation (one of the fundamental aspects and drivers of car culture).

]]> By: Clarence http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/comment-page-1/#comment-48496 Clarence Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:56:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/16/ad-nauseum-the-humiliated-cyclist-take-two/#comment-48496 Another great find Streetsblog. I actually think this one is far worse then State Farm's. Another great find Streetsblog. I actually think this one is far worse then State Farm's.

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