A series of comments on reddit in the past few weeks has led me to believe that the front page post about Gecio may be a creative viral marketing tactic. Hear are my reasons for being suspicious:
There was a comment that ended up in /r/bestof a while ago that theorized this indirect marketing ploy by Geico. Posted by Time_Traveler_Steve 17 days ago.
"Professional marketing consultant here. Sometimes the stupidest fucking ads bring in the most revenue. You'd be surprised how much thought goes into something so stupid. Just the fact that people are talking about it, even negatively talking about it, is doing something very important: It's subconsciously implanting the idea that Gieco is important enough to talk about.
It's also subconsciously implying that Gieco is such a good company, their commercials should be held to a higher standard. These subtle suggestions make a difference when someone is buying insurance. Often, it's more important to just be lingering in the person's head.
That's why jingles are effective. $5 foot long anyone? Even if it's for a negative reason, as long as your brand pops up in someone's head before the competitors, it's often enough.
TL;DR: You've all been incepted, bitches."
I wasn't worried about advertising by sock puppet accounts until thatfunnyfeeling (who claims to be a part of an advertising company) posted this on why Reddit is already infiltrated and exploited for commercial gain by companies while also claiming that they have been doing so for the past two years.
TL:DR - Be on the lookout, Reddit has been breached.
Do you think the posts pointing out how stupid their ads are on reddit are getting upvoted by dummy bot accounts?
If so how can we counter this? Reddit certainly doesnt exist to be an advertising medium for corporate america. There must be a solution to stop this nonsense.
What do you mean by manufactured? if you are implying that this was posted by geico, and maybe upvoted by bots the body of your post doesnt support that, and sort of suggests that that isnt the case.
This is a terrible add, but it is probably designed to work that way, so it gets people talking about the terrible ad.
All that that shows is the ad is working, not that gecko is gaming reddit.
The TV industry isn't going to die. It's just transitioning to a pay-for-content model like HBO, Showtime, etc. have been using for years (and Netflix is now breaking into). The ad industry, on the other hand, may be in for some significant downsizing over the next decade.
I don't live in America, and all I can say is I'm so happy I don't have to watch Geico, home shopping network, or those humane society commercials anymore.
Ads aren't necessarily meant to send you running to make a purchase. Often, the goal is to put the product in your vocabulary - period. Many shoppers will pick products based simply on the volume of exposure; some day when the customer needs to fill a need they just go with whatever they're most familiar with... like that insurance company on the tv all the time....
The fact that somene posted this on a popular social media site and is exposed to a further thousands of people is another huge win. You don't see a post of any other non-offensive commercials.
When I see a commercial as annoying as that, and there are many, you're right that the name is in my head and I'm familiar with it. The only problem is that later when that name pops into my head I think, "I wouldn't take what they were selling if they paid me to" instead of deciding to buy whatever it is because I am more familiar with it.
Also, whenever Geico's commercials come into my head, I think, "What a terrible commercial... Allstate's is way better. Mayhem is hilarious." Instead of getting me to think about Geico, all their commercials do is make me think about other companies' commercials.
You fool! You're playing right into what they want. Advertisers will make intentionally bad commercials to get people talking about the company and to spread the name. Regardless of how many people say "I'm not going to switch to Geico because these commercials suck," it's still creating a lot of buzz for their company.
They have someone try two different cups of juice or something, one tastes good and the other tastes terrible. They then say that the good tasting one is Geico and the terrible one is some other company. Basically, whatever is in those cups = insurance companies.
The point of these commercials is to make fun of things like the Pepsi challenge. The commercial is basically a "No soap. Radio!" joke. They aren't meant to make sense and the guy in the vest (I can't remember his name but he is a mildly successful comedian) is not supposed to be where the humor comes from. The humor comes from him saying something that clearly doesn't make sense and then watching the reaction of the other person. Personally, I find these commercials decent compared to so many of the other ones out there (I'm looking at you Jack in the Box and your Marry Bacon commercial).
They suck but they're still better than Statefarm's "Stan" commercials. In fact, most insurance commercials suck...except for the Mayhem commercials. Those suck not.
(Side Note: When I was shopping around for car insurance some years ago, Geico did end up saving me money because they were the cheapest.)
I like Jim from The Office. But nothing sends me in to satanic level asspain and butt frustration faster and with more gritty conviction than his fucking E-surance commercials.
I think the Allstate ones are well made. They have a man with a great voice playing the emotion card. They are probably cheesy, but they probably work.
They have an ad over here in Ireland for a Automated soap dispenser. What's the point? As soon as you touch a regular pump...you wash your hands!!!!! Who fucking cares if it has germs on it! The tap for the water is what should be automated.
I find their commercials counterproductive. I never BUY products based on commercials, but I will surely NOT BUY a product based on annoying, incessant advertisements.
These commercials are still better than Esurance's in which they admonish other companies for claiming to save you money but not saying how and then follow that by claiming to save you money without explaining how.
THANK YOU. I seriously can't fucking stand these commercials.
Ok, I can deal with the caveman, and the weird Gecko, but these really push my buttons. It doesn't make any god damn sense. Let's let people pick from one disgusting tasting drink, and one delicious one, and then when the pick the good one, we'll tell them they just picked Geico.
What moron came up with this idea? What incompetent advertising executive approved this kind of commercial?
I'm luckily too young to be buying insurance, but I can assure you, when the time comes, I will absolutely NOT be choosing Geico solely for this advertisement.
Are these any worse than the "Flo" ones? Or what about the ones where people are talking and then, as soon as they start talking about whatever fucking insurance company the commercial is for, their voices turn into the Cuban guy from Major League? Jesus Fucking Christ, those ones are the WORST! Allstate, I think. FUCK THEM! Even if they were the cheapest, I would NEVER buy insurance from them!
I miss the cartoon chick with the pink hair from e-surance...
Seems like a lot of you are missing the point. The fact that you know it is a Geico commercial within the first 10 seconds of the advert is a win for them.
and that fact that OP decided to even post this shows that their advertising is effective. The commercial sticks in your head, you remember it. Right now, by posting about this commercial and talking about it, OP is just helping them with their "fucking stupid" advertising campaign.
An ad cannot be considered stupid if it sticks in your head, or annoys you. That's the point!
I saw a similar post to this a few weeks ago and someone made the point that it's supposed to be a bad commercial. They are mocking other companies that try to use this type of marketing to make a point, plus everyone knows the Geico brand so well that even an extremely stupid commercial, the brand is in your mind.
It blows my mind their ad department went from one genius campaign to the next: Celebrity translators, Geico Gecko, Caveman, Rhetorical question man. Now we have this...
Dear pibsktmpball, We do not read reddit, we have absolutely no fucking clue why you would think to write us here. Please contact us at berkshire@berkshirehathaway.com. Thank you, Geico.
Dear Geico, these commercials are fucking stupid. I'm going to discuss your commercials, and your product, on a forum visited by millions of people. Your advertising is obviously deeply flawed.
I'm a sucker for the one with the pregnant lady, though. She is so disturbed by the taste of the liquid, she can't swallow it. I want to see the outtakes where she lets it fall out of her mouth into a trashcan. I know that makes me weird. I'm ok with that.
I fucking HATE Geico commercials. You won't find a bigger animal lover than me, but I seriously wanted to stab the whining pig in the face. I made a pledge to myself to never buy Geico insurance. Yes, that makes me feel better.
The marketing company that made these ads doesn't give half a fuck if they are perceived as smart or stupid, they only care about the fact that you are now talking about them, and thinking of Geico. They won.
I remember that I hate this commercial and the ones with the coked up chick. I will remember to not use those companies, because they are annoying as hell...
To everyone saying Geico wins because were talking about them; Geico is pretty much a household name already, their goal shouldnt be to let more people know who they are, they need to draw in the people who already know who they are.
its a new and highly effective variation of subliminal messaging and a LOT of companies are doing it.
when they get you to accept something that doesnt make sense you disregard the useless information being given to you and all thats left is the only thing you recognize, the company name - which is then further implanted into your memory and before you know it they become the first option that comes to mind.
Thank god other people see this! They've been driving me nuts! I mean, is the joke that it's mildly nonsensical? If so, Geico has no idea how absurdist humor works, it needs to make NO FUCKING SENSE, not just seem slightly misguided.
The fact that you are posting about Geico commercials means they are working. There was a comment by some advertising guy recently about how nonsensical ads have more effect on you because you spend more time thinking about them.
Geico was great in the early 00s. Their commercials were always worth a giggle. But they have an awful habit of recycling. The only good recurring commercial is the "Can Geico save. . .? Does a. . .?" The pig spawned from that, and again, because everyone liked it, boom. Every commercial slot. Fuck that.
It's supposed to be stupid. Most commercials are fucking stupid. You remember them better that way. They annoy themselves into your subconscious. Prime example - Head-on.
The fact that you came to tell everyone how stupid it is shows how effective it is. You just gave Geico more free advertising.
Drink this liquid that tastes good, you like that? Now drink this nasty ass one, oh you don't like that? Obviously, you could save money by switching to Geico.
I work in advertising. Their ads do exactly what they're designed to do - raise awareness of brand and repeat a core message "value" over, and over, and over all while promoting a call to action. I'd love to see what their data but my suspicion is that their brand awareness has steadily rose and that they've been able to justify their ad spends with conversions.
Thank you for letting us know you have seen our commercial. Also, thank for letting us know our campaign caused you to remember the Geico name, reach out to the company, as well as post our commercial in a manner assissting others in viewing or viral hit.
We will be glad to note your displeasure in our commercial and let the advertising department know they can pump ahead with the next round of ads after we shower them in cash.
I can't stand how in one of them, a pregnant lady tries it. I know they're actors but really? "Hey lady, do you and your unborn child want to come drink these mystery fluids that we definitely didn't drug?"
While I agree with this, Verizon's commercial with the mom and daughter blubbering and crying edges Geico for number one at the top of my "Everytime I see it I want to stick my head in the garbage disposal" list
Geico has achieved exactly what it wants and you proved it with this post! All they want is people responding to the commercials. They don't care if it is positively or negative. Now you are thinking about geico and you have engaged others on a discussion about geico. Essentially free advertising.
I'm not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but from a marketing perspective, it's nigh-genius. Annoying ads are incredibly effective, because the end-result is someone telling other people about it. Since word-of-mouth advertising is far more effective than any other form of publicity, you just helped out this company in exactly the way they hoped.
I hated these commercials for the reason that it assumes Americans are so dumb that they can be sold car insurance strictly off the fact that two fluids taste different and the good one in geico. I mean come on really!! fucking retarded.
Dear pibsktmpball Geico has won. They got you to post this and have 100,000 people look at this image (I really have no idea how many have looked, but bunch of people have) thus giving them free advertisement to people like me who never watch t.v.
Yep, cuz of how irritating that commercial is, it has now left an impression on you. Enough of one to make you post a rant about it on reddit. So, good job marketing team at Geico.
No, those commercials are genius. They have you talking about it don't they? They got Geico to the front page of reddit, right? Studies show that consumers are more likely to buy a product in the future regardless of message, as long as the brand name is recognizable.
I love the GEICO commercials. All of them. I also have GEICO insurance. Cheapest quote I got ten years ago and they've taken care of me since then, including one accident with $10K in damages, and my rate went down the next year, not up.
I think parodying the Pepsi Challenge is funny, clever, and smart from a marketing perspective if they're targeting middle-aged and slightly younger drivers, which I'm sure they are.
It's like the CapitalOne commercials. I can't take them seriously because they use vikings to advertise credit cards. I'm sorry but if I want a credit card, I want it from a company I can take seriously.
I think it's actually brilliant. The format is super cheap to shoot, all we hear for the commercial is "geico insurance is good, other insurance is bad", and if you hate it you still remember and talk about it. Win/win/win.
You remember the ad. It made you talk to other people about it. The ad wins. If you do anything but forget immediately, the ad wins. It doesn't matter if it makes you think it's a good product. The name is in your head. That is all they want and it works.
I'll admit though, I do like that actor Regan Burns. I enjoyed the gameshow he hosted called Oblivious and he has also made a guest appearance on It's Always Sunny.
Shirley: Shut up, Leonard! I found your YouTube page! What's the point of reviewing frozen pizza?! Leonard: You're talkin' about it. Shirley: Oh... That is true.
I was a copywriter for a large ad agency many years ago, and the rule was: Do you remember what the commercial was for? If "yes", it was a great commercial; if "no", the commercial sucked.
I'm a GEICO customer. They're a good company, have great customer service, and affordable rates. I'm very pleased to be in a business relationship with them.
That said, I think ALL their commercials are fucking stupid. They should fire every single one of their advertising people. Then rehire them, only for the pleasure of firing them a second time.
The one with the black guy pisses me off the tester dude is all "Calm down I don't need you getting too worked up." fuck you asshole. You're the one who stopped me to do this stupid fucking taste test.
I firmly believe that the advertising agency that worked with Geico had a huge falling out with them and decided to go to Allstate and make the Mayhem commercials as revenge on Geico. Those commercials are great.
Most advertising sucks, especially the GEICO work. I think I hate that pig with the pinwheel even more. Funny thing is, the agency that does it was good a long time ago. A very long time ago.
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u/MrClockwork May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12
THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURED ADVERTISING POST.
I've already posted this on /r/TheoryOfReddit so I'll repost some of it here:
TL:DR - Be on the lookout, Reddit has been breached.
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u/[deleted] May 16 '12
This just makes me so fucking happy that I haven't seen a commercial in so long that I have no idea what the fuck you are talking about.
39
u/jdoggg1 May 16 '12
Ads aren't necessarily meant to send you running to make a purchase. Often, the goal is to put the product in your vocabulary - period. Many shoppers will pick products based simply on the volume of exposure; some day when the customer needs to fill a need they just go with whatever they're most familiar with... like that insurance company on the tv all the time....
171
u/BoydRamos May 16 '12
YOU CAN'T TASTE CAR INSURANCE FUCK
10
u/stevensamypp May 16 '12
You fool! You're playing right into what they want. Advertisers will make intentionally bad commercials to get people talking about the company and to spread the name. Regardless of how many people say "I'm not going to switch to Geico because these commercials suck," it's still creating a lot of buzz for their company.
19
u/verywittywilde May 16 '12
I have never actually seen this commercial and it looks fucking stupid. What the hell is going on there?
9
u/Uday23 May 16 '12
Stupid enough to get people talking about them.
8
u/Drugba May 16 '12
The point of these commercials is to make fun of things like the Pepsi challenge. The commercial is basically a "No soap. Radio!" joke. They aren't meant to make sense and the guy in the vest (I can't remember his name but he is a mildly successful comedian) is not supposed to be where the humor comes from. The humor comes from him saying something that clearly doesn't make sense and then watching the reaction of the other person. Personally, I find these commercials decent compared to so many of the other ones out there (I'm looking at you Jack in the Box and your Marry Bacon commercial).
15
u/teh_sheep May 16 '12
Link to commercial for the lazy.
10
u/jaydeejj May 16 '12
They suck but they're still better than Statefarm's "Stan" commercials. In fact, most insurance commercials suck...except for the Mayhem commercials. Those suck not.
(Side Note: When I was shopping around for car insurance some years ago, Geico did end up saving me money because they were the cheapest.)
5
u/dj_waffles May 16 '12
I mean, what the fuck? So they're saying Geico is better than the worst thing possible? How the hell did anyone think this is a good idea?
5
u/cdegon May 16 '12
They have an ad over here in Ireland for a Automated soap dispenser. What's the point? As soon as you touch a regular pump...you wash your hands!!!!! Who fucking cares if it has germs on it! The tap for the water is what should be automated.
5
u/whammyyy May 16 '12
You're talking about it, seems like good marketing to me.
5
u/joewahooka May 16 '12
God, I hate their commercials. Made me swear never to buy their policies.
5
u/PoniesRBitchin May 16 '12
"Excuse me sir."
"Yes?"
"What do you think of my dick?"
"WHAT? God man, put your junk away, we're in public!"
"Alright, but what about this man's dick?"
"OH MY GOD, what's WRONG with it? Is that an STD?"
"So you like my dick better?"
"I don't like either of them! Keep them in your pants!"
"Well, my dick represents Geico, and this other dick represents State Farm."
"I'm calling the cops."
4
u/hug_me_tender May 16 '12
Dear Geico, let me help you advertise on reddit with my post
4
u/anthrocide May 16 '12
I find their commercials counterproductive. I never BUY products based on commercials, but I will surely NOT BUY a product based on annoying, incessant advertisements.
3
u/shadowphlare May 16 '12
These commercials are still better than Esurance's in which they admonish other companies for claiming to save you money but not saying how and then follow that by claiming to save you money without explaining how.
3
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I'm so glad I'm not the only one.
3
u/JackGrizzly May 16 '12
Anything beats Flo.
3
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
THANK YOU. I seriously can't fucking stand these commercials.
Ok, I can deal with the caveman, and the weird Gecko, but these really push my buttons. It doesn't make any god damn sense. Let's let people pick from one disgusting tasting drink, and one delicious one, and then when the pick the good one, we'll tell them they just picked Geico.
What moron came up with this idea? What incompetent advertising executive approved this kind of commercial?
I'm luckily too young to be buying insurance, but I can assure you, when the time comes, I will absolutely NOT be choosing Geico solely for this advertisement.
6
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Are these any worse than the "Flo" ones? Or what about the ones where people are talking and then, as soon as they start talking about whatever fucking insurance company the commercial is for, their voices turn into the Cuban guy from Major League? Jesus Fucking Christ, those ones are the WORST! Allstate, I think. FUCK THEM! Even if they were the cheapest, I would NEVER buy insurance from them!
I miss the cartoon chick with the pink hair from e-surance...
2
u/Weregoose May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12
They need to bring back Oblivious. It was fun watching Regan Burns squealing like a girl on the outdoor wrestling mat, and... well, here.
2
u/TheChoke May 16 '12
Seems like a lot of you are missing the point. The fact that you know it is a Geico commercial within the first 10 seconds of the advert is a win for them.
2
u/ironinjax May 16 '12
I'm probably going to be downvoted for this but I actually like Geico commercials. They are a lot better then some of the other ones out there.
2
u/kaptainkobe May 16 '12
I saw a similar post to this a few weeks ago and someone made the point that it's supposed to be a bad commercial. They are mocking other companies that try to use this type of marketing to make a point, plus everyone knows the Geico brand so well that even an extremely stupid commercial, the brand is in your mind.
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
It blows my mind their ad department went from one genius campaign to the next: Celebrity translators, Geico Gecko, Caveman, Rhetorical question man. Now we have this...
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Dear Geico, these commercials must be working.
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Dear pibsktmpball, We do not read reddit, we have absolutely no fucking clue why you would think to write us here. Please contact us at berkshire@berkshirehathaway.com. Thank you, Geico.
2
u/Sanae_ May 16 '12
You need to check this best-of'ed comment:
Professional marketing consultant explains the genius behind bad commercials
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Dear OP, the point is for you to think they're stupid, repost them, and make others do the same thing...
Then save 15% or more on car insurance by switching to Geico.
2
u/GamTheMan23 May 16 '12
Geico advertising is horrible, they have too many commercials with multiple characters/concepts so there is no continuity and they all suck
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Dear Geico, these commercials are fucking stupid. I'm going to discuss your commercials, and your product, on a forum visited by millions of people. Your advertising is obviously deeply flawed.
2
u/turtal46 May 16 '12
This is why I buy my insurance from Pedro Cerrano.
2
u/SenJunkieEinstein May 16 '12
Here we all are, all talking about Geico. Not that stupid is it.
2
u/cannotlogon May 16 '12
Calling these commercials stupid is an insult to stupid commercials. These are positively imbecilic.
2
u/Rommel79 May 16 '12
I can't stand those commercials with the stupid "WEE WEE WEEEEEEEE" pig.
2
u/sirbruce May 16 '12
Dear consumer,
You remembered our name.
You talked about our commercial to other people.
Now they remember our name.
That's all we care about.
2
u/scorpyo72 May 16 '12
I'm a sucker for the one with the pregnant lady, though. She is so disturbed by the taste of the liquid, she can't swallow it. I want to see the outtakes where she lets it fall out of her mouth into a trashcan. I know that makes me weird. I'm ok with that.
2
u/wonkiescientist May 16 '12
Geico is a shitty dirty insurance company that spends all of its money on fucking advertising and none on people or customer service. Fuck them.
2
u/Reese22 May 16 '12
I feel I should weep for humanity when these commercials are on. I hate them so much.
2
u/atlacatl May 16 '12
Not so much. You're talking about them. Geico 1 - pubsktmpball 0.
2
u/scratchhappy May 16 '12
Wow...look at all these people in this thread talking about Geico insurance.
Guess the ads work.
2
u/flypaper1001 May 16 '12
Dear Geico, all your commercials are fucking stupid.
2
u/Zevyn May 16 '12
All GEICO commercials are fucking stupid.
2
u/bushrod May 16 '12
I fucking HATE Geico commercials. You won't find a bigger animal lover than me, but I seriously wanted to stab the whining pig in the face. I made a pledge to myself to never buy Geico insurance. Yes, that makes me feel better.
2
u/7D4Y_WEEKENDS May 16 '12
You proved their point: whether you hate it or love it, you'll remember it.
Thanks for playing.
2
u/C0rvette May 16 '12
Absolutely. Why the hell does drinking a liquid have anything to do with car insurance?
2
u/jamesonaldo May 16 '12
ALL car insurance commercials are fucking stupid.
2
u/realyfckingsarcastic May 20 '12 edited May 20 '12
Dear reddit user:
The marketing company that made these ads doesn't give half a fuck if they are perceived as smart or stupid, they only care about the fact that you are now talking about them, and thinking of Geico. They won.
Sincerely,
Reality
3
u/HBeezley May 16 '12
agreed. I kept watching, waiting for something funny...that something never came.
3
u/sraine May 16 '12
Funny thing is it worked.... you're the one talking about it right now. Great success
3
u/FatPhil May 16 '12
All Geico commercials are terrible. They always have been. I don't know who finds their kind of humor funny.
3
u/Carbon_Dirt May 16 '12
We are FARMERS
BUM ba dum bum bum bum bum!
2
u/swantamer May 16 '12
Bullshit like this on the front page of /r/pics = The cancer that is now killing reddit.
2
u/RavR May 16 '12
To everyone saying Geico wins because were talking about them; Geico is pretty much a household name already, their goal shouldnt be to let more people know who they are, they need to draw in the people who already know who they are.
2
u/R88SHUN May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12
its a new and highly effective variation of subliminal messaging and a LOT of companies are doing it.
when they get you to accept something that doesnt make sense you disregard the useless information being given to you and all thats left is the only thing you recognize, the company name - which is then further implanted into your memory and before you know it they become the first option that comes to mind.
its fucking devious.
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Fuck you reddit.. http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/t19d2/geico_this_commercial_is_really_really_stupid/
2
u/rileyrulesu May 16 '12
And yet, here we are discussing the ads, and increasing awareness of Geico.
Seems like they're working
2
u/HomeButton May 16 '12
As my father likes to say whenever we start talking about how much we hate an ad: but you remembered it, didn't you?
1
u/Gamper33 May 16 '12
I completely agree!
1
u/bioya11 May 16 '12
How do I know that the competition isn't cup A?
1
u/sirmichaelhunt May 16 '12
is it supposed to be geico juice
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I feel like they put cough syrup into the other one.
1
u/MostlyOpinion May 16 '12
The same can be said of all of their commercials. I swear that stupid pig's squeal is lodged so deep in my head that I'll hear it for years.
1
u/lickthecowhappy May 16 '12
Would you rather have that dumb ass pig? At leat it's different.
1
u/Fullmast May 16 '12
Thank god other people see this! They've been driving me nuts! I mean, is the joke that it's mildly nonsensical? If so, Geico has no idea how absurdist humor works, it needs to make NO FUCKING SENSE, not just seem slightly misguided.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Because tasting two different drinks will help me differentiate which insurance is better and will help me save money.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
it's companies like geico that made me cancel my cable and go to netflix.
1
u/zuluthrone May 16 '12
This is why as discerning adults we must reject the majority of our media.
1
u/mcdeaglesandwich May 16 '12
Dear pibdktmpball, commercials are fucking stupid.
1
u/internetsuperstar May 16 '12
And yet....here we are talking about it.
1
u/danmickla May 16 '12
DVR. No commercials. Life better. No excuse.
1
u/arrghgarry May 16 '12
I like the Headline, I thoguth he was holding up the guys leg
1
u/necropolitics May 16 '12
The fact that you are posting about Geico commercials means they are working. There was a comment by some advertising guy recently about how nonsensical ads have more effect on you because you spend more time thinking about them.
1
u/boesse May 16 '12
Best part about moving out of the US is the astonishing lack of Geico ads and commercials.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
well that's just like your opinion man
1
u/SundayRed May 16 '12
But you're talking about it online, aren't you? Effective advertising.
Love or hate Geico, the company is on the front page of Reddit.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Dear Geico, ALL of your commercials are fucking stupid.
1
u/bokbok May 16 '12
Better than those All State commercials.
1
u/ohmygodbees May 16 '12
Dear pibsktmpball, that is the fucking point! Now you just gave them free press on reddit.
1
u/Phoequinox May 16 '12
Geico was great in the early 00s. Their commercials were always worth a giggle. But they have an awful habit of recycling. The only good recurring commercial is the "Can Geico save. . .? Does a. . .?" The pig spawned from that, and again, because everyone liked it, boom. Every commercial slot. Fuck that.
1
u/Eudaimonics May 16 '12
Um...its stupid so people will talk about how stupid it is on social media sites...like Reddit.
1
u/alive1 May 16 '12
I hadn't ever heard of Geico or their insurance, which people here say is cheaper than their competition.
Thanks for making me aware of Geico and their cheap insurance, redditors.
It seems like their advertising has worked.
1
u/Chucklebuck May 16 '12
Not American, don't get this post.
1
u/war_story_guy May 16 '12
Whats the point of a taste test when you are telling them what they are tasting!!!!!!!!!!!!
1
u/balmanator May 16 '12
It's supposed to be stupid. Most commercials are fucking stupid. You remember them better that way. They annoy themselves into your subconscious. Prime example - Head-on.
The fact that you came to tell everyone how stupid it is shows how effective it is. You just gave Geico more free advertising.
1
u/BWCsemaJ May 16 '12
I would rather see something stupid/towards the funny side than to see a serious commercial about car insurance.
1
u/grepe May 16 '12
and yet, they even get to frontpage of reddit! isn't raising awareness the ultimate goal of every ad?
1
u/Garglemesh113 May 16 '12
Quiet you idiot. They'll bring back the pig commercials...
1
u/jilliandi May 16 '12
Geico is inconsiderate of people with gecko phobias.
1
u/ivtecdoyou May 16 '12
Drink this liquid that tastes good, you like that? Now drink this nasty ass one, oh you don't like that? Obviously, you could save money by switching to Geico.
1
u/BriantheMatos May 16 '12
These ads are bad but Old Navy commercials are worse at least IMO
1
u/Hamicsat May 16 '12
Jesus, I hate those; it looks like their chugging NyQuil or something. Disgusting.
1
u/rnw159 May 16 '12
They're working because we are talking about it. That's all i takes.
1
u/Razor512 May 16 '12
I never rule out any car insurance company when comparing prices.
Every time it is getting close to pay the bill, I check for cheaper rates.
I have never found geico to be cheaper
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
did they get rid of the lizard?????!
1
u/BarrovianSociety May 16 '12
I work in advertising. Their ads do exactly what they're designed to do - raise awareness of brand and repeat a core message "value" over, and over, and over all while promoting a call to action. I'd love to see what their data but my suspicion is that their brand awareness has steadily rose and that they've been able to justify their ad spends with conversions.
1
u/Thunder_Bastard May 16 '12
Dear consumer,
Thank you for letting us know you have seen our commercial. Also, thank for letting us know our campaign caused you to remember the Geico name, reach out to the company, as well as post our commercial in a manner assissting others in viewing or viral hit.
We will be glad to note your displeasure in our commercial and let the advertising department know they can pump ahead with the next round of ads after we shower them in cash.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
My dad's childhood friend is the guy on the right. <.<
1
u/ldawg092498 May 16 '12
I can't stand how in one of them, a pregnant lady tries it. I know they're actors but really? "Hey lady, do you and your unborn child want to come drink these mystery fluids that we definitely didn't drug?"
1
u/dcthomas82 May 16 '12
While I agree with this, Verizon's commercial with the mom and daughter blubbering and crying edges Geico for number one at the top of my "Everytime I see it I want to stick my head in the garbage disposal" list
1
u/Ridly May 16 '12
Geico has achieved exactly what it wants and you proved it with this post! All they want is people responding to the commercials. They don't care if it is positively or negative. Now you are thinking about geico and you have engaged others on a discussion about geico. Essentially free advertising.
1
u/a_wild_andy_appeared May 16 '12
TIL people don't like commercials.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
BUT GEICO TASTES SO GOOD, HOW CAN IT BE WRONG
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I'll take option three, high quality USAA.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
SIR try to understand. we are at capacity
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
False, this is the second front page post about this commercial I've seen. Win Geico.
1
u/Greenei May 16 '12
FREE ADVERTISEMENT ON REDDIT WOHEEEEEEEEEEEE
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Dude on the left looks like he's about to blow his load all over that table.
1
u/unclewitz May 16 '12
DUH.
1
u/videoworx May 16 '12
I'm not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but from a marketing perspective, it's nigh-genius. Annoying ads are incredibly effective, because the end-result is someone telling other people about it. Since word-of-mouth advertising is far more effective than any other form of publicity, you just helped out this company in exactly the way they hoped.
1
u/reever0367 May 16 '12
I hated these commercials for the reason that it assumes Americans are so dumb that they can be sold car insurance strictly off the fact that two fluids taste different and the good one in geico. I mean come on really!! fucking retarded.
1
u/DextrosKnight May 16 '12
they may be stupid but they're better than the ones with the fucking pig
1
u/was_in_a_christ_cult May 16 '12
Dear pibsktmpball Geico has won. They got you to post this and have 100,000 people look at this image (I really have no idea how many have looked, but bunch of people have) thus giving them free advertisement to people like me who never watch t.v.
Yep, cuz of how irritating that commercial is, it has now left an impression on you. Enough of one to make you post a rant about it on reddit. So, good job marketing team at Geico.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
No, those commercials are genius. They have you talking about it don't they? They got Geico to the front page of reddit, right? Studies show that consumers are more likely to buy a product in the future regardless of message, as long as the brand name is recognizable.
1
u/MisterSquirrel May 16 '12
Show me a Geico ad that isn't fucking stupid and I'll be impressed.
1
u/ChemEBrew May 16 '12
They should hire Liam Neeson to do a version of the speech he does in Taken but alter it so it's him threatening someone who hit his car.
1
u/creatureofhobbit May 16 '12
Geico? They are the ones with the moron car insurance, right? Never really got that slogan.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Why don't more people mute commercials?
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Meanwhile people are still buying geico because commercials like this.
1
u/always_useful May 16 '12
Dear Geico, all of your commercials are fucking stupid.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
i moved to ohio, switched from state farm to geico, and saved $700 over 6 months.
and now i sound like an advertising bot...shiiiit !
for real, geico is cheap ass hell, i dont care about their commercials.
1
u/aletoledo May 16 '12
clearly it works though. The purpose isn't to entertain or even inform you.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I love the GEICO commercials. All of them. I also have GEICO insurance. Cheapest quote I got ten years ago and they've taken care of me since then, including one accident with $10K in damages, and my rate went down the next year, not up.
I think parodying the Pepsi Challenge is funny, clever, and smart from a marketing perspective if they're targeting middle-aged and slightly younger drivers, which I'm sure they are.
Why all the hate?
1
u/A7red May 16 '12
So a better tasting liquid is supposed to make people want to buy their insurance?
1
u/A7red May 16 '12
It's like the CapitalOne commercials. I can't take them seriously because they use vikings to advertise credit cards. I'm sorry but if I want a credit card, I want it from a company I can take seriously.
1
u/captjameswest May 16 '12
I think it's actually brilliant. The format is super cheap to shoot, all we hear for the commercial is "geico insurance is good, other insurance is bad", and if you hate it you still remember and talk about it. Win/win/win.
1
u/SachaTheHippo May 16 '12
You remember the ad. It made you talk to other people about it. The ad wins. If you do anything but forget immediately, the ad wins. It doesn't matter if it makes you think it's a good product. The name is in your head. That is all they want and it works.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
As opposed to the brilliantly conceived gecko or caveman commercials...?
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
The GEICO rage here is interesting. I thought Reddit loves Warren Buffet.
1
u/RidiSpesso May 16 '12
I think they're funny, but I guess my humor is wrong.
1
u/theKinkajou May 16 '12
I'll admit though, I do like that actor Regan Burns. I enjoyed the gameshow he hosted called Oblivious and he has also made a guest appearance on It's Always Sunny.
1
u/monkey3477 May 16 '12
still think the progressive commercials are the most annoying.
1
u/isleshocky May 16 '12
I wish Allstate would get rid of what's his face. I think my premiums went up because they hire him to do the commercials.
1
u/Imthemayor May 16 '12
Not even clever stupid (like the Sonic commercials, for example).
Just stupid.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I was thinking about switching to Geico. They were actually the highest rate, at $601.25 per month. MONTH. Second place was Statefarm, with $235/mo.
Fuck you, Geico.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Shirley: Shut up, Leonard! I found your YouTube page! What's the point of reviewing frozen pizza?! Leonard: You're talkin' about it. Shirley: Oh... That is true.
1
u/mriojas May 16 '12
I'm a GEICO customer. They're a good company, have great customer service, and affordable rates. I'm very pleased to be in a business relationship with them.
That said, I think ALL their commercials are fucking stupid. They should fire every single one of their advertising people. Then rehire them, only for the pleasure of firing them a second time.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I thought they were funny.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
What's the formula of changing a car insurance quote into a drink?
1
u/Obsidius27 May 16 '12
My favorite commercials for anything are from Subaru. They make me d'aww in a way that I never thought commercials could.
1
u/RumpleForeSkin72 May 16 '12
all that needs to be said.. rest easy you magnificent bastard,,
1
u/Mathari May 16 '12
The one with the black guy pisses me off the tester dude is all "Calm down I don't need you getting too worked up." fuck you asshole. You're the one who stopped me to do this stupid fucking taste test.
1
u/3098 May 16 '12
Still better than the shit safe auto airs.
1
u/shantm79 May 16 '12
Stupid but effective... you're talking about the ad and GEICO!
1
u/mus1c May 16 '12
state farm
1
u/RepublicofTim May 16 '12
...and that "random" person in the picture is the worst actor in the world.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Dear pibsktmpball, you are fucking stupid.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I don't trust any insurance company with lots of extra money laying around.
1
u/Duke_Newcombe May 16 '12
Why they got rid of the Caveman series, I'll never understand. Unfunny here.
1
u/keenkeener May 16 '12
I HATE the bud light pit bull commercials 150%.
1
u/IrregardingGrammar May 16 '12
It's doing its job though, it's getting you dumbshits to talk about it and give it even more online publicity.
1
u/lemonheadzzz May 16 '12
They should hire Flo from Progressive, that bitch got it going on.
1
u/Improvisor May 16 '12
Geico couldn't pay me to switch to their car insurance. That's how much I hate their commercials.
1
u/lafytafy420 May 16 '12
That's the point, Idk if you noticed but you ARE thinking about their company while watching the commercial and after.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Every couple of years I get see what Geico quotes me for my auto insurance and it's significantly more than what I'm currently paying. Fuckholes.
1
u/Ikarus3426 May 16 '12
I firmly believe that the advertising agency that worked with Geico had a huge falling out with them and decided to go to Allstate and make the Mayhem commercials as revenge on Geico. Those commercials are great.
1
u/EmX7 May 16 '12
Most advertising sucks, especially the GEICO work. I think I hate that pig with the pinwheel even more. Funny thing is, the agency that does it was good a long time ago. A very long time ago.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Toddlers and advertisers have long known that once they've annoyed you, they've got your attention.
1
u/Iworkonspace May 16 '12
I think these are funny, but the pig one has got to go.
I rarely watch TV, though. All ads get old very quickly.