Ford Upset by Web Ad Showing Decapitation

AP ^ | 04/19/04 | AP

[Pikamax]

Ford Upset by Web Ad Showing Decapitation

Sun Apr 18, 7:14 PM ET Add Technology - AP to My Yahoo!

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Co. is upset by the release of an Internet advertisement that depicts the decapitation of a computer-animated cat by a power moonroof hatch, saying it didn't authorize the clip.

The ad for the Sportka, a hatchback sold in Europe, shows the realistic-looking orange cat climbing on top of the car and poking its head into the open moonroof, The Detroit News reported Sunday. The hatch slides closed, the cat struggles briefly and its headless body slides to the ground.

Ford says the clip was conceived without its approval by ad agency Ogilvy & Mather as part of a "viral marketing" campaign for the Sportka. "Viral marketing," a type of e-mail marketing, is the electronic version of word of mouth, usually inviting recipients to forward an e-mail to others.

"We find this unauthorized ad totally unacceptable and reprehensible and deplore the fact that it has been unofficially issued," Ford spokesman Oscar Suris said.

Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide issued a statement saying it also didn't sanction the commercial, which was leaked onto the Internet on April 1.

"Both companies find this unofficial advertisement totally unacceptable and reprehensible," the statement said. "The action in the video clip was totally computer generated, and we would like to assure you that no animal was harmed in its making."

[flashbunny]

I'm still wondering what you're point is. Do you think this is a real cat?

[JLO]

Exactly kid...get a grip and figure this place out first of all.

LOL, you are something' ain't ya?? I'm over 50 years years old - and you are a kid? You and your kitty friends may invite others.

Be careful in spelling. And checking what you may say,

Been there...seen what you have to say.

The internet is a fool's place.

[nuconvert]

I think my point is made by others in the link provided in post # 104. Look at the difference in tone of that thread and the responses made. I think some of the replies there reflect a little more maturity and are ethically and morally more appropriate. There's something wrong when people are dulled to the point of laughing at the portrayal of a very cruel act, whether it's real or not.

If there was Nothing wrong with this, then people wouldn't need to make the distinction between this ocurring to an animal or a child. That's my point. There's obviously something wrong with it, if people wouldn't accept the cat being substituted by a child. We shouldn't condone or accept this production no matter what living creature is used.

[archy]

Well, you'd have to augment the electric motor for the sunroof with a pneumatic or fast-acting hydraulic unit. But it could be done, and I could build it. After all I designed and built the 24,000 volt, neon-sign transformer powered electric birdfeeder.

Do tell. And here I thought the story involving the crows and the baited tethered trebel hooks was interesting. :-)

It's a short one, so I'll let fly. My widowed grandmother had a backyard garden birdfeeder, intended for her favored sparrows and robins and an occasional cardinal, but unfortunately a hangout for ruffian bluejays and squirrels. Installing a metal funnel to keep the squirrels out of the feeder, an uncles idea, proved a miserable flop, so I moved it up high enough that they could use it as a hand footstep while ascending to the feeding grate. And that wooden asperature I reinforced with metal hardware screen with about a half-inch grid. The positive output lead of a neon sign transformer went to the funnel, the negative lead to the metal grid. The power supply to the transformer came from the back porch light socket, controlled by a light switch at the back door. I had scarcely finished with the thing and filled the feeder with birdseed when the first treerat made its appearance. Calling grandmother, I invited her to flip the switch *to give the squirrel enough of a shock as to discourage him* as she had requested. She flipped the switch and blue arcing passing through the rodent was visible even in the broad daylight from some 30 feet away. A few seconds later a charred and smoking body fell to the ground with a thump, and my less-than-enthusiastic grandmother told me I had over done things a bit. But we had no more difficulties from that particular squirrel.

When so zapped, bluejays extended their wings and feathers flew off. I always wondered what would happen if a migratory duck or goose dropped in, but no such luck. One of these days I have to run down to Arkansas and help a pal with a deer feeder he wants to set up in his feedlot. There are a lot of possibilities that I don't think have yet crossed his mind.

[flashbunny]

Sheesh. A dog is an ant is a boy, right? Just like those peta folks say?

Lighten up francis, it's funny. Like in "a fish called wanda" where a piano falls on a dog and the owner has a heart attack. Or the countless movies and tv shows where something cruel happens to a human being, and people laugh because the situation is funny and they know it's not real. It's called slapstick and it involves human suffering for a laugh.

Some people need to get a grip. I love it how when someone abuses an animal, courtrooms are filled with the animal lovers to see that "justice is done" and news stories are full of people protesting the outrageous act. But when a newborn baby is thrown into a dumpster or toilet, those people are no where to be found. Probably too busy protesting cruelty to CGI animals.

I've come to the conclusion that animal rights fanatics are some of the most whacked out people around. The complete lack of perspective is mind boggling.

[hookman]

tell me my friends, is this real???
how about this

[hookman]

Ok friend, I clearly see that you loooooooooovvve animals! So here is a genuine gift for you! Honestly it is not like the others...
click here for the happy little animal lover song!!!

and have a great night, it's been fun!

[hope]

I have the t-shirt:)...Am I bad?

[Nurse Ratched]

That is funny.

[archy]

say are you still having a pingu problem???"

'fraid it's worse than that.

[archy]

say are you still having a pingu problem???"

'fraid it's worse than that.

[archy]

say are you still having a pingu problem???"

'fraid it's worse than that.

[archy]

Ok friend, I clearly see that you loooooooooovvve animals! So here is a genuine gift for you! Honestly it is not like the others... click here for the happy little animal lover song!!!

and have a great night, it's been fun!

But don't forget to read your bedtime story!

[nuconvert]

I don't know what the "peta folks say". They're an extreme fanatical group and I don't condone their actions.
You've missed the point. I guess it's hopeless, for now, but I'll try once more.
There's a difference between slapstick and extreme cruelty.
And there's a difference between laughing at misfortunate occurrences happening to an adult human being "and people laugh", and those same things happening to a child or animal. (and people don't laugh)
You're missing the naivete and innocence that children and animals possess, that makes people feel sorry if that same "something cruel" happens to them vs an adult.
Apparently, this is over your head or your sensitivity has been dulled by the same type of people who make and promote this type of advertising. It's really sad when people can't see the distinction between cartoon humor and cruelty.

I don't need to "get a grip" or "lighten up". My sense of humor is intact and quite good.
You seem to have a need to label people, and your 'middle ground' is so small that anyone on either side is a fanatic. I don't think others who were repulsed by this ad are necessarily fanatics, nor do I think they'd appreciate your insinuation with your "newborn baby is thrown into a dumpster or toilet," example.
There are many people whose sentiments are in accord with mine and we're far from being fanatics. It is YOUR "complete lack of perspective (that) is mind boggling."

[nuconvert]

Grow up.

[flashbunny]

"It's really sad when people can't see the distinction between cartoon humor and cruelty. "

Exactly.

[JLO]

<<<>>> I've tried to tell you - it's about age. You get smarter as you get older. You'll understand, once you past 50, I think. Best to you in the meantime.

[hunter112]

I've been following this thread, and while my initial reaction was that you might have been overreacting, your posts have convinced me that you are sincere in your opposition. It's all a matter of what we find funny. I'm not a cat lover, so I find the fake commercial funny, but I like little kids, so I wouldn't find it funny if this computer animation depicted the same occurance happening to a child.

One thing I didn't see you point out, that would have bolstered your case. A lot of the people who have seen or will view this video are teenaged boys, who might think about recreating this, or a similar stunt. Most won't get any further than the fantasy stage about it, but there might be some actual cruelty inspired by wide distribution of this. Look at all the idiocy the "Jackass" film has inspired.

Does the humor value of the animation cancel out the possible attempts at animal cruelty? In your mind, no, in my mind, perhaps. If it was a human child, pretty much everybody would say no. In any case, I think Ford "doth protesteth too much", and the answer is to never buy one of their vehicles again. I already have one big fat reason to never buy a Ford, and that's my wife's crappy F-150 that has cost her a mint in repairs.

[nuconvert]

I appreciate your comments.
Yes, You're correct, "there might be some actual cruelty inspired by wide distribution of this." That was on my mind at the time, and it would have helped to express that, I suppose. Although you'd think people could maybe figure that out? Especially with these crazy kids copying stuff from TV, as you pointed out.
Thanks for your input.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping