Last year a I wrote a series about Japanese manners, each with a video of an AC commercial that broadcast nationwide, teaching Japan’s public to be a little more considerate to each other. I thought those commercials were brilliant, kind of like drink driving commercials back home, but these were about topics as frightening as eating hamburgers on a train.
I Love CM
I’m all for encouraging people to talk to their neighbors, as was done in one of those AC commercials, but this latest “CM” is going a bit too far. Now they are actually encouraging you to watch TV commercials! Watch this video to see what I mean (or jump directly to YouTube).
I have to admit it’s one of my favorite commercials, not least because of its very catchy tune. The question is, though, will an advertising campaign like this work? Will people start to watch the commercials more, and then actually buy the products being advertised?
Of course! When you repeat something enough times, it becomes true, so singing “I love commercials” to yourself all day will subconsciously make you believe you really love commercials. It must work because I’ve been glued to the TV for the last few days. I might have to change the lyrics to “I love changing diapers” or “I love Akihiro Miwa” if I’m going overcome the things I fear most.
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I can’t believe this is on in Japan. Talk about mind control or attempted mind control! I hate commercials and now I hate them more for this!
They even throw in a little sexiness by showing that girl quickly cover up her exposed belly with a T-shirt that says, ‘I love CM.’
I can’t say I hate this type of manipulation because it wouldn’t exist if so many people weren’t easily manipulated by such cutesy, kawaii crap.
Thanks Billy …. i missed that, had to watch it again!
I’m not sure that advert ould make me want to watch adverts more but there are a couple of really good adverts for baby food at the moment in England which keep me glued. Babies always appeal so why not use them more?
Oh, the novelty of babies soon wears off, believe me.
Hi Nick. Wasn’t sure where to post this, but I’ve tagged you in my ‘8 things’ post
I saw this commercial for the first time a couple weeks ago and it totally cracked me up. Japan’s great at making bright, happy, catchy commercials for just about anything, but I never thought they’d start a celebrity-ridden commercial campaign for the TV CM industry itself! It’s like those “Got Milk?” ads like 7 or 8 years ago.