Direct TV Takes a Taser to Commercial Ethics

Direct TV is developing a reputation for creative marketing.  The hilarious “Opulence: I Has It”

commercial generates laughs with good taste at the expense of foreigners who need to enhance their American English skills.  When the satellite television provider sets its sights on police officers, the result is not so funny.

Teasing about tasers is about half smart.  Making police officers to look abusive pushes advertising ethics into fantasy land.  Watch the commercial:

The lead officer is portrayed as insensitive, heartless, and evil-hearted.  The accompanying officer appears clueless and lame.  How sad that any business would seek shareholder gain by trashing public servants who put their lives on the line daily.

Fantasy football is portrayed as more important than civility.  The marketer uses the tactic of surprise to create a humorous moment but the joke is not evident.  A second attempt at humor is made when the victim’s leg flails out of control.  The result is Direct TV digging themselves deeper into a hole.

This commercial reeks of shoddy script writing that reveals disconnectedness to the real world.  Would anyone seriously buy their product based on this advertising?

A bigger question needs to be asked.  Do advertisers have any responsibility to maintain ethical advertising practices, or does anything go?

I’m all for teasing in good fun but not tasing that borders on police brutality.

(Disclosure Note:  I am a satisfied Direct TV customer.)