Advertisements are not only intended for companies to showcase the existence of their product to their potential customers; it’s also their way of saying “Hey people, this is our product, you need it, buy it!“. 
So, it’s never surprising that some companies who resort to ads, TV ads more specifically, pushes up the ante by making the “shock value” of their ads, well, more shocking.
Burger King did just that in their recent TV ad – and a lot of people are complaining, not to mention, offended by this new Burger King “crazy King” advertisement.
This is nothing like the new Tiger Woods Nike commercial.
In the new Burger King TV ad (“King Gone Crazy campaign”), the King is shown running in an office, apparently running away from his pursuers which looks like people from the Mental Hospital.
Yes, it seems like the “King” is a runaway-patient from the Mental hospital in this Burger King TV ad.
Anyway, the King ended in a room and swiftly gave the lady there a Burger King burger. Finally, two people in white captured the King and ended up saying;
“This King’s insane! He’s giving so much beef for $3.99…”
The Burger King “Crazy King” ad drew protest from mental and health advocates. Michael Fitzpatrick, executive director for National Alliance on Mental Illness told Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/02/AR2010040204113.html) that the ad was blatantly offensive, and was absolutely stunned and appalled by it.
What do you think? Does it look offensive to you? Personally, I find Burger King’s grin in the commercial kind of…err.. creepy.
[...] New Burger King ad commercial, offensive to viewers? [...]
[...] Last Stand Game. Obama aims to send astronauts to an asteroid, then to Mars. New Burger King ad commercial, offensive to viewers? Macbook Pro for the year 2010. Gears of War 3 Trailer. Tags2009 Philippine Bar Exam [...]
Hmmm Thank you for magazine article. I never seen better blog.