The PC Nanny state strike again (Toyota ad withdrawal)

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WyleECoyoteNZ

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#189233 21-Dec-2015 12:32

Toyota NZ has folded to public pressure through social media and pulled the latest Toyota Hilux commercial, effective immediately.

Press release from Toyota NZ below
http://www.toyota.co.nz/about-toyota/toyota-news/2015/december/toyota-to-stop-broadcast-of-new-hilux-tvc/

If You haven't seen the ad, and have no idea about it, it can be viewed below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP-aSB383cE

From what I can see, having a look at some of the posts from others on the Toyota NZ facebook page, some of the people complaining aren't residents in NZ.

Personally, I thinks it's a great ad. What are other people's thoughts?

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#1454459 21-Dec-2015 12:39

Oh what a clickbait title - I just couldn't resist what must be one of the more over-used terms in NZ ("PC nanny state") over the past year or three!

And what's the "state" (ie government) got to do with this decision?

Anyway, I'd not seen the ad until the controversy erupted (live TV is so 2000s!), but yeah I find it tacky and distasteful. But then again I'm not a "real" huntin'/shootin'/fishin' Kiwi bloke (eg I'm vegetarian).

nzkiwiman

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#1454481 21-Dec-2015 12:43

Sadly people on the internet get so offended over anything ...

I saw the advert for the first time in the cinema yesterday. I didn't like it, but it didn't offend me at all
I got what it was trying to sell and how it was trying to sell it.

mdooher

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#1454483 21-Dec-2015 12:44

The comments on that YouTube page are classic

Matthew

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#1454490 21-Dec-2015 12:47

Bugger.

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michaelmurfy

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#1454492 21-Dec-2015 12:48

mdooher: The comments on that YouTube page are classic

You can really spot the Vegans.

I could imagine if the "Bugger" ad was done these days there would be people who would complain about the use of Bugger, or the Cow being ripped out of the trench.

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timmmay

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#1454493 21-Dec-2015 12:49

I think it's in pretty poor taste.

n4

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#1454494 21-Dec-2015 12:49

I hadn't seen the ad until now. Didn't like it. I think Toyota made the right call on this one - it missed the boat on this ad - not funny enough given the 'suicidal' theme.

I would not have complained myself (not a hunter but not anti) but understand how some people would have been offended.

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mdooher

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#1454507 21-Dec-2015 13:00

I'm certainly not offended, but it did seem a bit weird. I doubt it would have lasted anyway. Perhaps they could have advertised them as an environmentally friendly way to kill possums or something.

Matthew

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#1454511 21-Dec-2015 13:04

My vote for commercial of the year!

jmh

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#1454565 21-Dec-2015 14:00

I don't think it's nanny state, probably a more accurate description would be 'the wisdom of crowds'. People have told Toyota they don't like the advert so they have pulled it. They probably need to do a bit more user testing next time. Nothing to do with any nannies or states.

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#1454569 21-Dec-2015 14:11

They made a calculated decision obviously. A piece of genius. You think the CEO that sells the most vehicles got caught out?

They decided that they would go for publicity, and if the whole country talks about them pulling it they have hit the jackpot. And so they have.

Bugger!

Brumfondl

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#1454570 21-Dec-2015 14:14

I stopped watching the ad partway through the bit with the fish in an effort to save myself from the rampant stupidity of the whole thing. I found it to be daft, not offensive. The 'bugger' ad is WAY better and more amusing.

linw

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#1454595 21-Dec-2015 15:00

Can't say I liked it.

ubergeeknz

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#1454598 21-Dec-2015 15:08

Brumfondl: I stopped watching the ad partway through the bit with the fish in an effort to save myself from the rampant stupidity of the whole thing. I found it to be daft, not offensive. The 'bugger' ad is WAY better and more amusing.

Same here. Cringeworthy.

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#1454609 21-Dec-2015 15:31

The "nanny state" had nothing to do with the pulling of this commercial.

The "nanny state" (the New Zealand Commercial Advertising Bureau) gave it a PGR certificate.

A section of the public didn't like it, and the commercial was withdrawn by the advertiser for commercial reasons.

Personally I thought that it was very clever, but fatally flawed.

Sideface

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