Ad Nut
Jun 29, 2018

Crabby over a cartoon with a giant crustacean and a curvy mermaid

A weirdly un-weird animated ad for the beverage brand Pimento raises Ad Nut's dander.

"Totally weird". That's the tagline on this 100-second animated spot by Paris-based agency Animals for Pimento, a non-alcoholic drink flavoured with ginger, tonic and chili pepper.

Ad Nut can see the intent—weird drink causes weird stuff to happen. But sadly the weird stuff that happens isn't all that interesting. And it unspools at a glacial pace. Ad Nut was promised weirdness, but now feels bored, and one might even say 'crabby', about it.  

Plus, the creators have thrown in a needless moment of fat-shaming: A curvaceous mermaid appears, and we see that one of the male characters apparently finds her appearance disgusting. Not because she has a fish tail, but because she's a bit more plump than your average Barbie doll. 

The only weird thing is that anyone thought that kind of prejudice would be funny. The dude gets his just desserts in the end, but it's only because the mermaid literally gobbles up him and his friend. See, fat people like to eat stuff. Get it? Ha ha so funny. 

Ad Nut wouldn't mind trying a ginger-tonic-chili mixer, but will have to look for another brand given the abject stupid on display here.

Ad Nut is a surprisingly literate woodland creature that for unknown reasons has an unhealthy obsession with advertising. Ad Nut gathers ads from all over Asia and the world for your viewing pleasure, because Ad Nut loves you. You can also see Ad Nut's video debut, check out Ad Nut's Advertising Hall of Fame, or read about Ad Nut's strange obsession with 'murderous beasts'.

 

Source:
Campaign Asia

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