Punch "Dumb"

[Frank Ferreri]

Those VW spots aren't funny, aren't cute, and probably don't sell cars. Give me the KIA sock monkey!

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Just curious: are you familiar with the road-trip game that the commercials reference? Yes, its lame, but its something that a lot of 20-and-30-somethings would remember taking part in. These people are probably the ones whom VW is targeting.

 

[DToTheJ]

Give me the KIA sock monkey!

He's busy attending a family reunion with the Pets.com/Bar None Financial sock puppet... ;D

 

[Frank Ferreri]

Very familiar with the road game. My kids played it minus the punching. Of course in those days a VW looked like a VW and they just kept a tally of how many Beetles they saw and colors of the cars. A road trip is tough enough without kids punching each other. Driving to Disney in 98 degree temps with kids punching each other and crying will drive you to drink. Understand the concept of the ads to spark a memory in the 30 somethings, however, they are 30 something and punching someone can lead to nothing good. KIA did it right. Childhood toys of the 30 somethings in situations that the 30 somethings can relate to....bowling, Vegas, Jet Ski, hot tub, singles bars.... Love the Sock Monkey. How Do You Like Me Now?

 

[BRNout]

Very familiar with the road game. My kids played it minus the punching. Of course in those days a VW looked like a VW and they just kept a tally of how many Beetles they saw and colors of the cars. A road trip is tough enough without kids punching each other. Driving to Disney in 98 degree temps with kids punching each other and crying will drive you to drink. Understand the concept of the ads to spark a memory in the 30 somethings, however, they are 30 something and punching someone can lead to nothing good. KIA did it right. Childhood toys of the 30 somethings in situations that the 30 somethings can relate to....bowling, Vegas, Jet Ski, hot tub, singles bars.... Love the Sock Monkey. How Do You Like Me Now?

Agreed on all counts. the "slug bug" game is actually quite a bit older than the Gen X age range, but that's merely stated in the interest of accuracy. When I see the one with the woman who is punching everyone, rather than thinking of VW, I am thinking of how much I'd LOVE to see the salesman or her husband haul off and deck her! Very annoying ads.

And, yes, the Kia ads are absolutely awesome! They hit their demo with amazing accuracy with those ads, which are funny, entertaining, showcase the product while using music with a contagious hook. Excellent ads! Even our little 2 year old pays attention because she loves Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba. And watching those toys in the "night out" setting is hilarious. The ads never get old and the Kia in the ads looks better and better with each airing.

Great example of "compare and contrast" for budding marketing majors. Annoying versus entertaining.

 

[MarcB]

Personally I don't care for either commemrcial, but I have to say the KIA Sock Monkey commercial is better than their one with all the Hamsters.

 

[quadraphonic]

The gist I get from the VW Punch Buggy commercials is that VWs all look the same as other brands now. The only thing differentiating it from any other brand is that someone, upon seeing one, might get the urge to punch you. If you bought one, it would be like not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day, but every day. Why would you want to do that? ??? ???

 

[Frank Ferreri]

Very familiar with the road game. My kids played it minus the punching. Of course in those days a VW looked like a VW and they just kept a tally of how many Beetles they saw and colors of the cars. A road trip is tough enough without kids punching each other. Driving to Disney in 98 degree temps with kids punching each other and crying will drive you to drink. Understand the concept of the ads to spark a memory in the 30 somethings, however, they are 30 something and punching someone can lead to nothing good. KIA did it right. Childhood toys of the 30 somethings in situations that the 30 somethings can relate to....bowling, Vegas, Jet Ski, hot tub, singles bars.... Love the Sock Monkey. How Do You Like Me Now?

Agreed on all counts. the "slug bug" game is actually quite a bit older than the Gen X age range, but that's merely stated in the interest of accuracy. When I see the one with the woman who is punching everyone, rather than thinking of VW, I am thinking of how much I'd LOVE to see the salesman or her husband haul off and deck her! Very annoying ads.

And, yes, the Kia ads are absolutely awesome! They hit their demo with amazing accuracy with those ads, which are funny, entertaining, showcase the product while using music with a contagious hook. Excellent ads! Even our little 2 year old pays attention because she loves Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba. And watching those toys in the "night out" setting is hilarious. The ads never get old and the Kia in the ads looks better and better with each airing.

Great example of "compare and contrast" for budding marketing majors. Annoying versus entertaining.

Annoying versus entertaining. Right on the mark! Ad agency people or "creative" people forget that the purpose of an ad is to sell the product. Does the VW ad compel you to buy a VW? In my opinion NO. Does the KIA ad compel you to buy a KIA? In my opinion it does moreso than people punching one another. Another huge factor in the KIA ad is the great mind behind it didn't use some recycled music from years ago. They used a cutting edge new hip group, The Heavy, with the hottest R&B song in many a year.