Snickers Launches Mr. T-CTV in England

Moving on from literally bashing (perceived) gay men, Snickers has reloaded and relaunched the catch phrase-spouting A-Team member. This time, he’s sequestered in a video surveillance room, where he doles out verbal comeuppances to “walkin’ talkin’ jokes who call themselves ‘blokes,’” including a “punk” with his jeans slung too low. At the Get Some Nuts site (where you have to say you’re 12 to enter), you can upload videos and pics of you or your friends being a fool. The biggest fool will win £1,000. I find this humor to be as tired as Mr. T’s schtick. But maybe the low-brow idiocy will make the Brits chortle, if not buy candy bars. Also, interesting creative choice by Snickers and their agency ABV BBDO, considering the invasiveness of the UK’s actual surveillance network. Anyway, jump for three short spots. Read more »

Snickers Mocks Hungry Africans

Every six seconds in the world, someone—probably living on the continent of Africa—dies of hunger. Not at all related to that fact is this: Snickers will be available in Russia next week for the first time ever! Not at all related…until BBDO Moscow created this teaser TV spot for the candy featuring an African tribe waiting for…something (A U.N. truck of rice? A Snickers shipment from relatives in a foreign land?). These days, we have to be cautious about posting YouTube videos and calling them actual TV commercials (remember 9/11). But, according to adme.ru, Russia’s leading ad posting site, this spot, created by BBDO Moscow, is the real deal and has already run on the country’s “federal channel.” Jump and watch and gape—the copy line at the end translates as “coming soon.” Read more »