9/11 As A Marketing Tool

[Steve Henderson]

Is it wrong to use images of the decimated World Trade Center to sell music players? BenQ (http://www.benq.com/) doesn't seem to think so (http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/01/benq-uses-wtc-and-9-11-imagery-to-sell-devices/).

[Steve Henderson]

Wow:

http://www.benq.com.cn/musiq/

[Cottage Cheese]

Republicans have been capitalizing on it for the past five years... why do you think the 2k4 Republican convention was in NYC?

[Serenity]

sick.

[Tenn]

not only shitty, but someone spelled "believe" wrong in the ad.

[ptulachanh]

Well some advertisers are reserving some nice seats in hell.

[Steve Henderson]

not only shitty, but someone spelled "believe" wrong in the ad.
Yeah saw that - the original is in Chinese, so I guess it is just a translation thing.

[birdman]

Well, I wont be buying anything from BenQ

[GoodTimes]

It's bad karma but it's obviously effective. I've now heard of a BenQ. I doubt it'll be replacing my Zen anytime soon

[underthetalking]

Oh boy. We'll file this under horrible idea.

[HanusMaximus]

this would be a cool picture if it weren't being used as a marketing device. I do like the picture.

[ArsenicMassacre]

sick idea...but the picture is kind of cool, i have to admit.
but the typo's a complete turn-off.

[weworemasks]

thats fucking terrible. tasteless.

[bung]

Gotta love business.

[Matt_Dizzle]

all i know is benQ is the real madrid soccer teams sponsor lolsz. but yeha idk cool picture dickheads for using it for profit and advertising

[best_mistake392]

thats sad
really
im thinking the reason that they used it
is because itsguaranteedto get people talking
and that gets their product out there

horrible and tasteless stratgey
so many better ways to market your product.....

[foisol]

Strange...

[waggy]

i'd be a little more offended if this was the first time that tragedy had been exploited. sadly that is far from the case.

[Jason Tate]

i'd be a little more offended if this was the first time that tragedy had been exploited. sadly that is far from the case.
True. (http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/nov/06/epilogue_a_9_11_exploitation_roundu p)

FFUj8pSCF90

From GOP Senator Rick Santorum

[seans seatbelt]

the image has been fed to us hundreds of times.. why is this any different?

[falloutboy.]

thats disgusting, im willing to bet it does NOT help sell anything for this cause.

[falloutboy.]

True. (http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/nov/06/epilogue_a_9_11_exploitation_roundu p)

FFUj8pSCF90

From GOP Senator Rick Santorum
wow. that makes you scratch your head and ponder

[boldt_action]

yeahhh



weird.

[Sex and Glue]

the image has been fed to us hundreds of times.. why is this any different?

because their using it for the sole purpose to market a product. whereas before, the images we saw were displayed in the news to distribute information and give insight; not to sell something...

[seans seatbelt]

there are entire video games, movies and stuff based on WWII.

[Sex and Glue]

there are entire video games, movies and stuff based on WWII.

Very true... but did those movies and video games comes out 5 years after the war? Trust me, i understand your point; i just feel its wrong to use such a tragedy for promotional purposes, especially only a few years after it happened...

[crimsonXwedding]

i'd be a little more offended if this was the first time that tragedy had been exploited. sadly that is far from the case.


regardless, it doesn't make it any less sickening

[Ender217]

who is benQ and why does he matter at all?

[Nigel]

I’d rather they use 9/11 as a marketing tool, then a “tool” to start a war.

[hopeforthebest]

Very true... but did those movies and video games comes out 5 years after the war? Trust me, i understand your point; i just feel its wrong to use such a tragedy for promotional purposes, especially only a few years after it happened...

I don't think it matters how many years it took to be released because video game companies are still making a profit on an event that cost thousands of lives. Plus, there is a movie on the world trade center called the world trade center and a film about flight 93. talk about promotional purposes

[Chevyman803]

fuck him

[NationalProduct]

weak

[SingleDoubt]

wow... not cool. and this is originally from china? what the fuck kind of business do they have using 9/11 to sell their devices?

[deja andyroo]

This comment left on the Engadget post helps put things in perspective:

"'The American dream. We refuse to let anyone take it away. So, GM announces interest-free financing. On every new car. And every new truck. Now through Oct. 31. Believe in the dream. Believe in each other. Keep America rolling.' -- General Motors ad, October 2001"

It doesn't use the visual image (especially because it was a month after 9/11), but people have found ways to take advantage of 9/11 since 9/12. Had to let it sink in for a day.

[SkylineCollapse]

This comment left on the Engadget post helps put things in perspective:

"'The American dream. We refuse to let anyone take it away. So, GM announces interest-free financing. On every new car. And every new truck. Now through Oct. 31. Believe in the dream. Believe in each other. Keep America rolling.' -- General Motors ad, October 2001"

It doesn't use the visual image (especially because it was a month after 9/11), but people have found ways to take advantage of 9/11 since 9/12. Had to let it sink in for a day.

not only does it not rely on a visual image, it also shoes that the exploitation of 9/11 is not mutually exclusive to foreign countries.

[Seans9]

chill out

[mpw]

i don't agree with this at all.

they shouldn't use a misfortune as music propaganda.

[wtfemokid]

True. (http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/nov/06/epilogue_a_9_11_exploitation_roundu p)

FFUj8pSCF90

From GOP Senator Rick Santorum

wow, the part where statue of liberty has a skull for a face gives me the heebie jeebies. very unnecessary.

[Kyle Garchar]

this is not a big deal

[Ruggiero2oo8]

thats not so good.

[MonkeyBars]

The advertiser probably looked for stock photos of destruction, found that one, not realizing what it was (I didn't catch it until someone told me), and ran with it. As much as you all may hate it, it's a cool ad. And it's for an MP3 player that looks like dog tags - why not use the event that fueled the war to market your product that's supposed to look like war paraphernalia?

[IAPAI]

I wonder how many of the people criticizing this ad went and saw United 93, or World Trade Centre.

[JimmyRifle]

I see no problem with this.

[bankrom]

I don't think it matters how many years it took to be released because video game companies are still making a profit on an event that cost thousands of lives. Plus, there is a movie on the world trade center called the world trade center and a film about flight 93. talk about promotional purposes

what he said.

[idobi]

I'm actually going to defend this... The engadget image is a translated mockup. The original ad is in Chinese and not intended for an American audience, and 9/11 doesn't have the same impact for that market. It's a symbol of destruction that doesn't have the same emotional baggage for that audience as it does for us.

In a global world, it's a bad advertising idea - but completely understandable from the fishbowl marketing perspective of their intended audience.

[A picasso blue]

I wonder how many of the people criticizing this ad went and saw United 93, or World Trade Centre.
:handclap:


Good point. I personally thought those movies were also pathetic attempts to profit from the tragedy by guilt-tripping people

So..to answer the man's question, how many of you did like those movies?

[JimmyRifle]

p.s. At least they did not use any images of Hiroshima. Afterall...America murdered over 200,000 innocent civilians in that little incident. Not that 9/11 was not bad, but it pales in comparison.

[phaedrus]

people are so predictable. the mp3 player market is so crowded that if they released a standard ad, no one would notice. but release a controversial ad, and they are a household name overnight. and what better to get some bullshit kneejerk reaction from americans than 9/11? its worked for 2 movies, and the republicans in 2004, so why not this company. I guarantee they will sell more players than they ever would have otherwise.

[JohnDorian]

At least the tagline's vaguely tasteful, it'd be worse if it was something like 'Our music brings the house down'

[Sex and Glue]

I don't think it matters how many years it took to be released because video game companies are still making a profit on an event that cost thousands of lives. Plus, there is a movie on the world trade center called the world trade center and a film about flight 93. talk about promotional purposes

I agree. I have yet to see either 9/11 movie, because i think they're a bullshit way to stir controversey and make a ridiculous profit. I just feel that its not right to use an event where thousands of people (moms, dads, husbands, wives, etc..) died in any form of entertainment, because those who lost someone in the WTC are prolly sick of seeing what happened to their loved one over and over again. People these days just dont use their fucking heads, and dont care about people's reactions or emotions, just as long as it puts a buck in their wallet...

[odelay]

I wonder how many of the people criticizing this ad went and saw United 93, or World Trade Centre.
I think both of those movies are exploitations of this tragic event. I know the creators were trying to "portay the heroism" that emerged from it, but when I asked my dad (who was a FDNY firefighter) what he thought, he summed it up perfectly: "I lived it once, I don't need to see it again."

[iamlegend85]

democrats use 9/11 as a political ploy everyday.

[CalmerThanYou]

Double Plus Ungood.

[Sex and Glue]

I think both of those movies are exploitations of this tragic event. I know the creators were trying to "portay the heroism" that emerged from it, but when I asked my dad (who was a FDNY firefighter) what he thought, he summed it up perfectly: "I lived it once, I don't need to see it again."

Fuckin' A. 8-)

[waggy]

True. (http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/nov/06/epilogue_a_9_11_exploitation_roundu p)

FFUj8pSCF90

From GOP Senator Rick Santorum

to be fair, that commercial wasn't actually from Rick Santorum (ya gotta check the fine print in campaign ads). but yeah, it's still pretty disgusting regardless.

[aaron_187]

I'm actually going to defend this... The engadget image is a translated mockup. The original ad is in Chinese and not intended for an American audience, and 9/11 doesn't have the same impact for that market. It's a symbol of destruction that doesn't have the same emotional baggage for that audience as it does for us.

In a global world, it's a bad advertising idea - but completely understandable from the fishbowl marketing perspective of their intended audience.
Agreed. As an American, however, I reserve the right to be pissed off and do all but defend it.

[thexflamesxburn]

using the wtc is not a bad way to promote it. the message is positive.

what they need to change is the stupid looking asian kid with dog tags around his neck. now i wont even consider it.

[John Dunberry]

True. (http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/nov/06/epilogue_a_9_11_exploitation_roundu p)

FFUj8pSCF90

From GOP Senator Rick Santorum

Not actually from Rick Santorum. More like "From conservative advocacy group Softer Voices." But yea, exploiting 9/11 nonetheless.

[John Dunberry]

to be fair, that commercial wasn't actually from Rick Santorum (ya gotta check the fine print in campaign ads). but yeah, it's still pretty disgusting regardless.

oops, you beat me to it.

[jpgretzky15]

what is benQ?

[jetsto]

such anger in this thread. business as usual

[MonkeyBars]

using the wtc is not a bad way to promote it. the message is positive.

what they need to change is the stupid looking asian kid with dog tags around his neck. now i wont even consider it.

Umm...Those "dog tags" are the MP3 player.

[promiseoftrust]

Double Plus Ungood.

nice 1984 reference.



on another note, the idea of a dog tag style mp3 player is interesting...

[stevecrumb]

there are entire video games, movies and stuff based on WWII.

those games are based on a war. not a terrorist attack. not exactly the same.

[Steve Henderson]

what is benQ?
They are an electronics manufacturer.

[Steve Henderson]

those games are based on a war. not a terrorist attack. not exactly the same.
Good point. We elected to be in that war - not so much with 9/11.

[SurfinguptheOBX]

this pisses me off

[PaulsRightNut]

unless all the profit is going to help 9/11 families or to the memorial etc. then i guess its ok...but its obviously not so yeah thats pretty messed up

[azrielen]

I...don't get it.

What is "hopeful" about these images? Hoping that this shit won't ever happen again? If they wanted "hopeful" images, they should have had images of the rebuilding that goes on after such disasters, not the horrifying and depressing disasters themselves.

[A picasso blue]

democrats use 9/11 as a political ploy everyday.
really/ every day? october 1,2,3,4,5,6,..10? and following suit every month? i would love to see your sources

[emiliodelgado]

Good point. We elected to be in that war - not so much with 9/11.
HAY PEARL HARBOR!....ring a bell?

[grendel20]

they're associated with my favorite football team........... so, whatever, i think it's cool.

[JimmyRifle]

Good point. We elected to be in that war - not so much with 9/11.


Somewhat debateable.

[Steve Henderson]

Somewhat debateable.
I understand that...not necessarily the circumstances that brought us into war, but the war itself. For example, I would find these ads a lot less offensive if they were referring to the war in Afghanistan or whatnot.

I guess it is almost more of a case of taste. I think United 93 was a well-done homage to those that died, so my queasiness on that was abated after I saw it. But I do not see any historical or personal reverence in these ads.

[Jenn23]

what is benQ?

Some of the projectors in the classrooms at the school where I teach are made by BenQ.

[hopeforthebest]

Good point. We elected to be in that war - not so much with 9/11.

If America would stop butting into other countries business 9/11 wouldn't have happened,

[xLaurenLizx]

To all the people talking about the World Trade Center Movie and the Flight 93, I feel there is a differnce. Those films were actually about 9/11... an almost information movie that sang the praises of those who gave their lives to save others. And the ad campaign for cars, the country was in a critical state economically after this event, and I believe that it was more of a call to the American people to not let anyone affect them.

However, an mp3 player has NOTHING to do with 9/11.

[swrilltearuaprt]

I wouldn't buy their products based solely on the misspelling of "believe."

[RandomHero1230]

not only is it wrong, but it looks extremely dumb

[PaulsRightNut]

So? We make movies out of the Holocaust. We've made movies about 9/11 and people make money off it.

yeah, thats true. I mean I guess its a little different, the movies are there spread knowldge about the event and to keep the memory of the event alive...i suppose

but yeah - then again it is all about profit

[petey536]

thats pretty messed up, i think all the marketing stuff about 9/11 is terrible

[shesautomatic]

not only shitty, but someone spelled "believe" wrong in the ad.

haha i noticed that too

[James Hale]

fucking horrible

[Chevy114]

I agree with previous posts, everyone else is capitalizing on it, how about the olympics giving nyc a pitty offer at the 2012 games? Seriously we just had the olympics in 96 in America, that would not have been fair to any other of other hundreds of countries up for the spot. Also the fact that we continue to use 9/11 in republican issues like their convetion and why we are fighting 2 wars right now. I am not saying it's bad or good to use 9/11 in marketing, I'm just saying use it carefully or people will get tired of it.

[shortestbreath]

i like it, im sorry to say but it works you all know the name now.

[MidwestHeart]

Not to mention they can't spell believe properly.