Video: The forbidden Motrin ad
posted at 4:29 pm on November 17, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Even more scandalous than the forbidden Mr. T “Snickers” ad: Johnson & Johnson snarked mildly about carrying babies in pouches being some sort of fashion statement, thereby igniting an uprising on Twitter among parents, followed by the inevitable groveling apology and withdrawal of the ad. Below you’ll find the offending ad followed by a sampling of Tweets tapped out on keyboards amid heavy breathing into paper bags. Manufactured new media outrage 1, corporate America 0.
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It is a charming ad. What’s the big deal?
RobCon on November 17, 2008 at 4:33 PM
I’m confused…
You mean to tell me there are Americans out there looking to be victimized in any way possible?
Now that’s just crazy.
warrenmr on November 17, 2008 at 4:35 PM
And how was this offensive?
kybowexar on November 17, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Of course the kind of moms who got made are the urban liberal moms who wouldn’t dare have more than one kid. That just wouldn’t be green.
I honestly have no idea what’s supposed to be offensive about this ad….
jimmy the notable on November 17, 2008 at 4:36 PM
huh, slow news day or something?
Amadeus on November 17, 2008 at 4:36 PM
who got mad*
jimmy the notable on November 17, 2008 at 4:36 PM
I have a friend who is a professional Baby Wearing Consultant believe it or not. Her IQ is about 160 and she lives in northhampton, MA. So yeah, super liberal, neurotic New Englander type.
Dr. Manhattan on November 17, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I mean, just look at the very first mom on the Youtube preview for the second video. She’s wearing a freakin’ Castro hat.
jimmy the notable on November 17, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I think it’s the last line about looking crazy while carrying your kid…
Otherwise, yah… I don’t see it as that much of an issue.
Skywise on November 17, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Is the second video a joke?
alex342 on November 17, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Hah! See what I mean, from the apology:
That’s why they hate her. How dare she have more than one kid?
jimmy the notable on November 17, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Slightly related…
Does anyone find the Volkswagen Routan ads featuring Brooke Shields offensive?
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Post-election blogging.
I feel for you, Allah. I do.
MadisonConservative on November 17, 2008 at 4:42 PM
What? the Ad didn’t even go against wearing babies? They were just saying “Go ahead and do it–but you’ll need Motrin!”
Ridiculous.
John The Baptist on November 17, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Is this a joke? The ad is kinda dumb, but I don’t see anything offensive about it. I guess everybody wants to be a victim of something these days. Seriously, they have nothing better to worry about, like the fact the new Trek looks like crap? Lets prioritize, people!
changer1701 on November 17, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Cindy Munford on November 17, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I love hot moms!
ballz2wallz on November 17, 2008 at 4:44 PM
No offensive, really – just off-putting and needlessly pointless.
I don’t think their “idea” is getting across without getting a negative reaction.
I’ve never understood how Madison Avenue types think that being tacky is a great selling gimmick.
kybowexar on November 17, 2008 at 4:44 PM
As a creative director at a small agency (and a dad), I love the ad… because it rings true.
And the Birkenstock mom’s are offended because it’s is true.
creatocon on November 17, 2008 at 4:45 PM
stupid? yes.
offensive? no.
vermillionsky on November 17, 2008 at 4:45 PM
I am willing to bet that everyone offended by this ad voted for Obama. They’re just those kind of people.
keep the change on November 17, 2008 at 4:46 PM
I love the Brook Sheilds ads. I’d rather hear something clever for some *****hit i’m never going to buy than something plain for some *****hit I’m never going to buy.
Dr. Manhattan on November 17, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Pathetic. these moms are just part of the generation terminally afflicted with “nobody can tell me nothinitis”…
and yes, they undoubtedly to a woman voted for the big O
max1 on November 17, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Is this why all the libs at Huffpo got offended with the Palins carrying Trig around?
saint on November 17, 2008 at 4:50 PM
For the past ten years or so, most commercials have followed a simple formula, white males are stupid and lazy and everyone else is smart and productive. Not only did no one complain about the overwhelming animosity directed at white males, most people applauded it and said they (white males) had it coming.
It’s probably a safe bet these moms were part of the crowd that applauded the insulting depiction of white males or at the very least said nothing. If commercials went back to just selling the product instead of doing crude humor in a desperate attempt to get people to watch their ad, they wouldn’t have to worry about offending the perpetually outraged.
clearbluesky on November 17, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Huh. I thought they’d be mad about the “tired and crazy” line at the end (i.e. the part that made me laugh) but they’re actually mad about the implication that carrying a twenty pound person around on your chest might make your back hurt? How could it not?
The commercial’s actually really sweet. I guess people just need something to be outraged about.
Tanya on November 17, 2008 at 4:50 PM
ha…..as opposed to needfully pointless?
kind of redundant eh?
sorry, im tired.
surrounded on November 17, 2008 at 4:50 PM
It’s different, certainly gets your attention, but why is this offensive?
mylegsareswollen on November 17, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Thx, fellow posters.
I thought it was a really ill-timed ad campaign. The ones with the talking black VW bug were chugging along and then, in the midst of the Palin candidacy, they pop out these weird “don’t have babies (to buy our cars)” ones.
My hubby and I are childless but we find these ads to be bizarre to the point of offensive since they unnecessarily touch on something that’s a pretty serious subject for some couples.
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Reminds me of the militant public breast-feeders.
KelliD on November 17, 2008 at 4:51 PM
The ad suggests that have a kid, you’ll need Motrin…all well intentioned, it seems.
Being the father of five, I found that Motrin was less effective than occasional massive infusions of Jack Daniels.
Have we actually reached the level where people have nothing else to do but find offense in everything under the sun?
coldwarrior on November 17, 2008 at 4:53 PM
I liked the ol’ Bass O’ Matic ad better.
mylegsareswollen on November 17, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Have we actually reached the level where people have nothing else to do but find offense in everything under the sun?
coldwarrior on November 17, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Well, it’s been proven to win Presidential elections, so yeah i’d say we’re way past that point.
max1 on November 17, 2008 at 4:55 PM
I hope I don’t get banned from all conservative blogs for this, but I bought a VW Eos (their hard top, affordable convertible) this year and I love it. In my defense, I had no intention of buying a German car, let alone a VW, but the Pontiac G6 convertible blew chunks and that was really the only other hard top I could afford. I’m living in SoCal now and I figure if I’m going to go down with this economic disaster of a state, I want to at least enjoy the ride!
I realize that owning a VW, as well as being a dyed in the wool Mac fan, puts me at considerable risk for being shunned. Please forgive me! :-)
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Somethings are pointless, but have to get said – others are truly pointless to the degree of “Dang, why the heck did you bring that up?”
kybowexar on November 17, 2008 at 4:55 PM
I agreee. I’ve experienced some very uncomfortable moments with some childless (sterile) friends watching those VW ads. The wife-friend sometimes gets misty about it.
Cuffy Meigs on November 17, 2008 at 4:56 PM
much ado about nothing..
—————————–
the VW ads.. I thought they were amusing..
the celeb spokes person not even acknowledging what the people are saying…
She had her narrative and no amount of trying to set her straight was going to deter her.. kinda like the MSM.. (or BM for Bad Media)
DaveC on November 17, 2008 at 4:56 PM
It made me think of that old “You have the Volvo, now get working on the kids” ad. Except not hilarious. But the same basic message.
Tanya on November 17, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 4:55 PM –
My first car was a VW Bug. Drive a Mercedes 560SEL now. Hang in there.
coldwarrior on November 17, 2008 at 4:57 PM
My wife and I are in the same boat (or car in this case) – we cannot have children, but want to. I think that’s why it strikes me as (yes, surrounded) needlessly pointless. (laugh) It’s a stupid thing to say and really no reason at all to put it like that.
Wouldn’t call for anyone’s head or demand an apology or anything though as these Motrin folks have. Sheesh, let’s keep things in perspective ladies.
kybowexar on November 17, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Thx. I was starting to wonder if we were the only ones.
It’s no big deal (to us), but we always hit mute or change the channel when they come on.
Speaking of which, I have instituted a similar policy with O! clips on tv. My goal is to amass no more than 1 hr of accumulated time listening to or watching video of the Lightworker during the next 4 years. So far I’m under a minute. I need to get faster with that tv remote!
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 4:59 PM
I couldn’t put up with 9:15 of the whining and Starbucks music. Stopped it at around one minute. Darn tolerant of me, I’d say.
pugwriter on November 17, 2008 at 5:00 PM
I always thought it was a play on that Tom Cruise flap about her using Paxil for depression after her own baby was born.
James on November 17, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Taking a spin in the Eos has saved my sanity this election season.
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Ugh. Spend all day at home with nothing else to do but obsess over your worth as a mommy and this is what you get! I’m a stay at home mom who stopped paying attention to the online communities for moms before my kid was even crawling. They get a bug up their butt over EVERYTHING. I used a sling and got massive back problems because I have a small, weak upper body. Pain does happen when you carry fifteen extra pounds on your front for hours on end. The idea that mothering is nothing but roses and sunshine, especially if you attachment parent is the current trend, and saying anything negative about the impact of babies on the female body will get this kind of pointless backlash. Go get a hobby ladies! You’ll find that you’re much more productive during nap time and a lot happier.
herrevery on November 17, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I’ve always wondered, what happens when one of these “look-at-me” morons trips or stumbles and falls face-forwards while “wearing a baby”. So, let’s see… there would be probable blunt head trauma to the infant from the fall, and then additional potentially life-threatening cerebral and organ damage from the sheer impact of a gravitationally accelerated adult who weighs anywhere from 7-15 times the weight of the baby.
I would assume that the poor child would be far more severely injured than the solipsistic jackass parent carrying it..
TexasJew on November 17, 2008 at 5:01 PM
HEY save the motron till the kid is five years old he or she will need it to carry that dam pack on thier back 1st day of school
rico101 on November 17, 2008 at 5:02 PM
The ad is obviously racist.
Amadeus on November 17, 2008 at 5:03 PM
LOL very true!
Amadeus on November 17, 2008 at 5:05 PM
ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Because it’s the same people.
herrevery on November 17, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Well, maybe it sells motrin to everyone else. But that’s a crap ad for selling to someone who takes the baby-carrying thing seriously. If that’s who they were supposed to sell to, epic fail.
Snarking at mother-love only works for the ones who aren’t having it.
SarahW on November 17, 2008 at 5:07 PM
this kind of thing illustrates how shallow and brittle folks can be today.
get a life, suck it up and plug-down some motrin while you’re at it.
jimmer on November 17, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Advertising agencies are full of breeder-haters. Which is code for mean girls and bitchy gay men.
SarahW on November 17, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Well………….. the election is over.
………….. They have to protest something or get a real job.
Seven Percent Solution on November 17, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Wow, that response video from the outraged moms is really long. Will I miss the punchline if I don’t watch it all the way through to the end?
Buy Danish on November 17, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Um, “shallow” and “brittle”? This wasn’t a PSA, or an ad about somebody elses problem. It was a very bad ad directed at a target consumer. They have a right to not like stupid ads, it’s not like those women have some public duty to get along with the makers of Motrin. It’s Motrin-makers what ought to be sucking up to them, or at least successfully emotionally manipulating them with a pitch.
Fail fail fail.
SarahW on November 17, 2008 at 5:11 PM
The outrage video is over 9 minutes long. That’s just nuts.
exception on November 17, 2008 at 5:13 PM
I like that ad……. well done, simple statements that can’t be refuted… where’s the damage?
MNDavenotPC on November 17, 2008 at 5:14 PM
A) I personally didn’t see that ad as offensive (other than to my sense of humor), but I completely understand your point about childbearing being a touchy subject for many.
B) You should buy the car you want to buy for whatever reason you want to buy it. I’m sick of companies urging me to “buy American” without offering a product I want to buy. This is the real reason American automotive companies are failing.. they are losing market share because they simply don’t compete on cost, quality, fuel efficiency, style, etc.
C) Who cares what your car or computer preference is! My only beef is with people who are smug/demeaning about it, such as my brother the gadget geek, but that’s another story :P
vermillionsky on November 17, 2008 at 5:15 PM
I’m related to a few militant breast feeders. The kids have to be slung or they take off like rocket ships to play in the middle of the freeway.
The Motrin is the least of their worries.
nor on November 17, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Well, I’m the target audience, and I did think it was funny. And TRUE. I guarantee that a lot of these women complaining DO wear their children as a statement, and that’s why it really hit a nerve.
herrevery on November 17, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Heh. He’s tryin’ hard, but it just ain’t the same, is it? I’ll give him credit, though. He’s no quitter.
a capella on November 17, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Aaaah, kinetic typography. I remember my first brush with that style was this video:
“What Does Marsellus Wallace Look Like?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNT5zvd3g2M
(Language content warning.)
ConfigSys.boy on November 17, 2008 at 5:24 PM
The commercial certainly doesn’t make me want a VW. Maybe that should be the bigger question. I’m not offended by it, but I can see how people without kids might be a bit sensitive about it as that can be perhaps the biggest heartbreak facing couples. Point being the commercials just are funny nor have they made me crave German engineering.
Doppleganker on November 17, 2008 at 5:25 PM
OOP! Just are NOT funny. Sorry ’bout that!
Doppleganker on November 17, 2008 at 5:27 PM
If your self esteem depends imagery from TV land you are in sorry shape.My guess is that most white males, myself included, don’t pay much attention to TV crap.
jellybelly on November 17, 2008 at 5:30 PM
herrevery on November 17, 2008 at 5:20 PM
I’m sure you’re right about the nerve-hitting. But there’s the nerve hit that sells and the nerve hit that does NOT.
That ad was for pushing motrin. So it’s a fail.
SarahW on November 17, 2008 at 5:30 PM
I used to wear my first child, until she got too damn heavy. I was loving me some Motrin back then. It was nice to be able to do chores while she was going through that “don’t put me down or I’ll scream until the neighbors call CPS” phase.
No problem with the ad, problems with the parents who take themselves waaaaay too seriously. Besides, what are they doing watching the ad in the first place? Don’t they know screen time before the age of two makes their children into morons? How dare they expose those precious little ones in the baby sacks to the telly/computer monitor!! /total snark
Anna on November 17, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Silly Motrin. My daughter is almost 30 years old and I wore her in a Snuggly until she was almost 2. Fashion forward, I guess?!
LEBA on November 17, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Pathetic. these moms are just part of the generation terminally afflicted with “nobody can tell me nothinitis”…
and yes, they undoubtedly to a woman voted for the big O
max1 on November 17, 2008
I think you ment to say “undoubtedly to a woman in need of the big O”
milwife88 on November 17, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Good grief, I bet these women’s husbands just love the fact that the baby is with their wife 24/7. /sarc
gatorgirl on November 17, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Wow…I heard women loose their sense of humor when they become mothers. However, I am a mother of a 15 month old and I thought the ad was great. Maybe those mothers need to take a silly pill instead. Heehee.
hope-n-red on November 17, 2008 at 5:37 PM
I am offended that Motrin caved. Seriously. I actually thought the commercial was cute. A little long, but cute.
XWing5 on November 17, 2008 at 5:39 PM
It was okay up until the “What about me?” part.
SoulGlo on November 17, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Another golden opportunity for a “more offended than thou” orgy by the lame-ass moms of America.
LimeyGeek on November 17, 2008 at 5:52 PM
Pre-zactly! My husband retired a few years ago after 20 years working for an OEM Supplier to Nissan. He even lived in Detroit for a little over a year, during which time his car was keyed, spit upon, paint-balled repeatedly.
I drove GM and Chrysler products for most of those years (trying to buy American), but he convinced me about 12 years ago to go off-shore. Like the few innocent shotguns we own, you will pry my Infiniti from my cold, dead hands. Until Detroit starts making a product that will fricken’ work, provide the service I get when I pull into my dealership, I ain’t purchasing their product. If that makes me not a patriot? Well, am I unpatriotic because I prefer a good Australian Sheraz over a “Peachy Catabwa” (no sh*t) made in my home state of Missouri.
Chewy the Lab on November 17, 2008 at 6:01 PM
SoulGlo,
Of course it said, “What about me.” Can’t have a modern commercial without a little dose of narcissism.
——
One thing about the ad I found veering towards offensive was one use of the term “thing” for the baby (and carrier combo?).
Damn, now I have to watch again to see if I’m offended.
mockmook on November 17, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Meh.
Rosmerta on November 17, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Who got offended ? The same women who feel they have a right to breastfeed anywhere anytime. When you’re going for sainthood due to mother status nothing is allowed to get in the way.
katiejane on November 17, 2008 at 6:24 PM
It’s not just TV crap- it’s the long effort to emasculate males in pop culture, and it’s been going on for decades.
Traditional traits were of a man that takes charge when needed, isn’t ruled by an overabundance of emotion, willing to get his hands dirty, be strong and honorable, and above all provide for and protect his family.
Then came the PC crowd who told us that we have to be (ultra) sensitive, that’s it’s OK (even encouraging) to cry while watching the stupid chick flick we’re supposed to enjoy. Talk at length about your “feelings” afterwards. Wrenching on the car? No, that might mess up the manicure your “feminine side” got. Act as head of the family? Oppressor! Hunt or fish? What, are you a hillbilly or something? Take a stand for what’s right? Not very postmodern of you. Protect those close to you? No, leave that to the police; you’re supposed to be non-confrontational at all costs…
And the funny part, after being subjected to this for the past 25 years? Women complain that there aren’t enough “real men” around. The sad part? They’re right.
Hollowpoint on November 17, 2008 at 6:37 PM
This just in:
California Supreme Court overturns Motrin commercial 4-3.
sulla on November 17, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Yeah, i agree. Just pointing out the obvious fact that white males have been the target for ridicule in ads because no one complains, including white males. Also, what Hollowpoint said at 6:37pm.
clearbluesky on November 17, 2008 at 6:50 PM
This proves that we have far too many things to bitch about. Bile.
Claypigeon on November 17, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I think it’s a pretty stupid ad. Not as bad as the car ad with Brooke Shields saying you don’t have to have a baby to want this car.
Connie on November 17, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Aaah, yes, the Infiniti. My hubby drives a G35. (I steered him away from the 3-series BMW towards the Infiniti.) It’s the first “fancy” car we’ve ever had. Sweet.
I’m guessing from your other comment that you’re not a big fan of the Detroit “bailout”?
Y-not on November 17, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Manufactured controversy. Get a real issue ladies.
sheesh on November 17, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Perhaps equal pay for equal work.
sheesh on November 17, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Clearly the makers of Motrin are rabid Obama supporters. They too believe that babies are punishment.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on November 17, 2008 at 8:06 PM
This is what happens when you let a whole generation of advertisers in who are GAY MALES.
It shows in so much advertising all over the media. They don’t have a f’in clue.
Why? Because they are not married to an actual woman, who has one or more children.
I’m not even married anymore, but I want to punch the noses of the Motrin guys for all American women. Total dicks.
I’ll never forget that photo of Sarah with Trig in a sling while signing legislation.
Sapwolf on November 17, 2008 at 8:57 PM
This is what you get when you let Beta-male qu**rs do the advertising for women’s products. I see it all the time. It’s true also that gays see babies as problems because it cuts into sodomy time.
I’d like to collectively punch the noses of these punks on behalf of American women.
Idiots.
Sapwolf on November 17, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Baby got back….or baby on back…or front..or …something.
HumblyRight on November 17, 2008 at 9:00 PM
I have an 8 month old and a sling for her. I mainly got it as a way to carry around the baby while chasing my 3 year old.
I can see what would upset some moms about this add. It is the whole attitude and tone of voice that implies that baby-wearing moms only do it to look cool or to seem like a better mom. That might be the case with some, but not most. I found the add very off-putting. I’ll still by Motrin though because it works great! BTW, not all baby-wearing moms are libs. I love these pics of Gov. Palin wearing Trig. http://babywearingbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah-palin-babywearing.html
PS, I’m one of those public breastfeeders too. Although I do try to be discreet. My baby hates having her head covered though, so I just try to keep my shirt right around her mouth to keep much skin from showing. It’s pretty obvious what I’m doing though.
resqgal on November 17, 2008 at 9:33 PM
I know this type. They’re the ones who never shut up about Obama saving the world but couldn’t be bothered to register to vote.
tuffy on November 17, 2008 at 9:40 PM
This flap reminds me of the great Post 9/11 headline from The Onion – AMERICA LONGS TO CARE ABOUT STUPID SHIT AGAIN.
Looks like we made it…
gridlock2 on November 17, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I liked carrying my kids around…mainly because I liked my kids. what’s not to like?
tlynch001 on November 17, 2008 at 10:22 PM
errr…’like’ my kids. I LIKE my kids…present tense.
tlynch001 on November 17, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I couldn’t watch the whole rebuttal ad, but I got the screechy affronted gist of it. I didn’t think the ad was bad, I got it, I have kids and my back never bothered me until pregnancy and after, it was an effective ad, what else could you want? How could so many people get offended by this?
4shoes on November 17, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Nah, we’re big Mac fans here. And I love my Toyota Tundra.
4shoes on November 17, 2008 at 10:39 PM
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