Apartheid bench humor used to sell bronzer in South Africa.
(click image, via) Bench copy translation: NON-WHITES. Have a seat Nelson Mandela! Just a little ribald racist ambient advertising for Tropitone sunless bronzer via Johannesburg ad agency morrisjones. From the agency press note:
"In order to stand out in a new era, we tactically spray-painted benches in public areas with the words "Nie Blankes" (Non-Whites)—a symbol typical to that of the old South Africa. Being such a strong symbol, it not only grabbed the attention of passers-by, but made a very strong impact. With the product logo spray-painted onto the concrete at the bottom of the bench, it is very evident that thanks to the efficacy of the product, you will no longer have white skin."
(Searches mind for thoughts to help mitigate the idiocy of this idea. Finds none.)
Previously in: Racist Ads.
Previously in: Retro Racist Ads.
posted by copyranter @ 12:40 PM
7 Comments:
Ho. Lee.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe apartheid is some sort of culture-wide morbid humor that everyone there taps into, and that non-South Africans just wouldn't get. But I doubt that, somehow.
A perfect illustration that "stand out," "grabbed the attention," and "strong impact" aren't necessarily "good."
WHAT ABOUT THE JEWS!!!
WHAT ABOUT THE HANDICAPPED!!!
WHAT ABOUT THE HOMELESS!!!
I'm waiting for the breakfast cereal promotion "Free Nelson Mandela", with a Nelson Mandela toy inside every pack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCPw7P7rjSI
that's fine if they want to be groundbreaking and thought-provoking. i completely approve of wanting to provoke conversation about an issue of such enormity that just "ended" less than a couple decades ago...
...but for bronzer? that's just tasteless.
@Anonymous
We here in South Africa definately don't view apartheid with any kind of humor. This is just really insulting advertising, and I think that ad agency Morris Jones and Tropitone should be held accountable.
sies!
e.
This is just horribly insulting. I promise we South Africans don't find it funny or relevant in any way. How about coming up with an authentically creative way to sell bronzer, hmm, Morris Jones?
I think this is great. As a south african I love that we can see past the old issues. Nice association with the product. Yes it is riske but I'd imagine that was the intention... it'll certainly get people's attention. Quite clever if you ask me.
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