John Lewis Ad. Is all publicity really good publicity?

I used to like the Tiny Dancer advert with my free coffee at our Senior Vue screenings (those were the days). This new one, not so much.

The big difference being that the girl is boisterous and clumsy, yes, but any damage would be accidental. The boy’s behaving like an entitled brat, whatever clothes he’s wearing. The sister’s paint incident alone is more than enough proof of that.

Yes we are talking about it but the vast majority of us are making negative comments about it.

John Lewis is better than this, or at least I thought it was.

Perhaps they were trying to tick an extra box with the brat wearing girls’ clothes and wearing lipstick. Another no no for a lot of viewers I suspect so perhaps another own goal.

Just watched the add and would have been very annoyed if my child had caused so much wilful damage, but also I wouldn't even have thought my insurance would cover it. I know times have changed and everyone thinks their little darlings can do no wrong and should be able to express themselves, but there would have been a serious discussion about right and wrong and respect in our house had this happened.

Zoejory I don't know. My reaction surprised me!
The wanton destruction maybe?
I just found the whole thing completely tasteless, whatever clever subtext there is supposed to be ?

No, they really don't. They need to be talking about the company. And that's worked, hasn't it?
If they want to portray the same kind of image as Ryanair.

Robin38

Alegrias1

I'm thinking of writing to John Lewis to say that all their future insurance ads must feature a chap in a suit, sat behind a desk, explaining exactly what good value their policies are and exactly what they cover. Finishing up with an explanation that satire and parody is not allowed.

Yes, do write. You are so clever. ?

Is this satire?

JenniferEccles

It’s awful isn’t it?
I’m really disappointed in JL.
They surely don’t have to resort to these kind of tactics.

In my view the advert would have resonated far more with parents if the child was shown in a family setting, causing accidental spills , breakages etc, of the kind that occurs in every household with children.
Then the parents might think that could easily happen here, maybe we should look into getting that insurance.

The viewing public needs to identify with advertisements, and to feel that the scenario portrayed could easily happen in their home.

No, they really don't. They need to be talking about the company.

And that's worked, hasn't it?

Alegrias1

I'm thinking of writing to John Lewis to say that all their future insurance ads must feature a chap in a suit, sat behind a desk, explaining exactly what good value their policies are and exactly what they cover. Finishing up with an explanation that satire and parody is not allowed.

Yes, do write. You are so clever. ?

I would question whether deliberate vandalism of the contents of the property should be included.

the song is about violent death

It’s awful isn’t it?
I’m really disappointed in JL.
They surely don’t have to resort to these kind of tactics.

In my view the advert would have resonated far more with parents if the child was shown in a family setting, causing accidental spills , breakages etc, of the kind that occurs in every household with children.
Then the parents might think that could easily happen here, maybe we should look into getting that insurance.

The viewing public needs to identify with advertisements, and to feel that the scenario portrayed could easily happen in their home.

V3ra

I've just watched it. I actually feel quite sick.
Whatever possessed them... ?
I'm speechless.

Why on earth do you feel sick?

I much prefer this one to Tiny Dancer.

Probably the music

I'm thinking of writing to John Lewis to say that all their future insurance ads must feature a chap in a suit, sat behind a desk, explaining exactly what good value their policies are and exactly what they cover. Finishing up with an explanation that satire and parody is not allowed.

Sparklefizz

^It’s the ‘boys can do what they like’ message while girls just have to sit quietly & accept it.^

I agree Kandinsky. With misogyny in the press recently, why give out this message?

Did you watch Tiny Dancer at all?

Missed the point, much?

I've just watched it. I actually feel quite sick.
Whatever possessed them... ?
I'm speechless.

Good article.
The ad isn't going to convince decent parents to stop teaching their kids to be respectful, kind and well-mannered.
Hopefully quite the opposite when they see how stupidly he is behaving.

Can’t stand the advert. There’s an interesting article on it here by the Spectator:

www.spectator.co.uk/article/john-lewis-and-the-entitled-little-emperors/amp?__twitter_impression=true

Miss A, your 1336 is just terrific.

Had that scene been played out in a classroom setting, with a child deliberately throwing an object at things on shelves then tipping up a classmate’s paint on the floor and smearing it over himself and walls I doubt the teacher would have called the behaviour ‘playful’; as for throwing handfuls of glitter about the room………!

When he was just five my nephew’s parents were called into the school because he had deliberately kicked off his shoes in the school playground, in a similar manner to the boy in the ad, and he was deemed old enough to know that such behaviour was unacceptable and that he may have injured another person. (I disagreed at the time and thought it was overkill, but said if he’d been a couple of years older then he should certainly have known better and should be held accountable.)

The OP started the thread and has got some responses. On a more serious level I believe JL is misrepresenting what its insurance covers.

I watched it a few nights ago and wondered what JL was trying to achieve. I will be well miffed if they destroy their Christmas advert this year trying to be too clever.

I've put on some overalls and and I'm spraying lynx onto the carpets whilst singing football chants

No.
Only housework.