Brazilian Ad Agency: Never Forget...The Tsunami

9/11 was murder, not an act of nature. Comparing the two is non-sequitor. It makes no sense.

But that is not the only thing I have a problem with. There's this hagiography around the 2,800 dead.

BULLSHIT. A lot of those killed were douchebags, cokeheads, racists, assholes, thieves, low lives, etc. Al-Queda did us a favour getting rid of them. Too bad innocent, decent people had to die along with that trash.

BEFORE 9/11, this would have been a very cool, very striking ad.

Interesting articles about Brazil's notorious scam ads of which this one of them:

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-brief-history-of-scam-ads-2009-9

http://godsofadvertising.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/scam-or-hoax-or-even-worse-an-award-winning-ad-blows-up-in-everybodys-face/

http://adscam.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/brazilians-create-nonkosher-ad.html

Says one ad reader: "When you see the word Brazil, it usually is a bullshit ad."

Very interesting......

http://www.adscam.typepad.com/

DDB BRAZIL WINS THE TITANIUM DILDO... AGAIN!

it would seem that the wankers at DDB in Brasil, not content with doing the world's dumbest spec print ad for the WWF, actually went ahead and produced a TV spot as well. You can see it here on Gawker. Apart from the fact that it proves these people are incredible fucktards who should be beaten to death with a Titanium Lion... Why am I not surprised that an ad produced by a bunch of cretins in Brasil for a supposed German client, is in fucking English?

What's so provocative about this ad is NOT that it touches on American's centrist-anxiety about the world's insensitivity to our tragedies.

Rather, it's that it appears to be more targeted at terrorists than at potential donors to WWF--the message I take away is, "hey terrorist idiots, your destructive ways against the oil-hoarding americans who you perceive to be exploiting your peoples are NOTHING in the face of nature. get with our program and protect your 3rd world peeps by caring about the environment."

Or something along those garbled lines. The message is definitely garbled. Still, I am attracted to the mixed messages--they are disturbing and interesting. Does the WWF want the terrorists to start sending funds their way? Or is this some convoluted attempt to bring the oil barons and Al Quaida (sp?) together for a group hug around the mulberry bush?

I can see why it won an award at the One Club, just as I can see why the Guggenheim championed Matthew Barney. It's not about "taste" or "decency," but the ability to grab your attention and get a response.

I actually like this ad!

Unlike most advertising, it's actually true!

Only 2,700 people died on 9/11.

But over 300,000 died in the Tsunami.

The only difference being most of the 2,700 dead on 9/11 were well to do White Americans - while most of the 300,000 dead during the Tsunami were poor Asians.

The ad is right on the money - and New Yorkers should quit whining!

are you kidding me?? yeah i guess flight attendants are "well to do". I guess janitors in both towers were "well to do" i guess the firemen and cops killed were "well to do". also "only 2700 people died on 9/11" This was an act of MASS MURDER not an uncontrollable act of nature. i would love for you to be at the WTC on 9/11 to see the families and friends of those MURDERED and you tell them to quit whining. you are disgusting.

Dang. This story is too funny to make me angry.

Sorry, just had to make it 200. Do I win?

Check out this Belgian magazine HUMO's ad from 2004:

http://twurl.cc/1jkc

Clever, huh? Well they had to do something because NOTHING EVER HAPPENS IN BELGIUM.

Yeah. Belgium is a total third world country.

*ducks*

noble price for your comment!

Never forget? How about you never forget the name Sivan Kurzberg and his merry little band of van dancers.

Message good, image over the top.

Btw gothamist, you all must LOVE valerierob and felixthe cat2. These guys are their own personal web traffic generators.

Nope, It is pathetic and FREAKY that a grown man is stalking me.

RACIST

It's important to point out that the WWF never endorsed this ad, they never commissioned this ad.

DDB Brasil created for the sake of winning an award at One Show.

It's called a SCAM Ad and the One Show should have realized that, and disqualified it immeidately.

Mad Men Gone Mad.

That's what you get with a room full of self-righteous Yes Men who won't call out a bad idea when they see it.

what gets me is the place one show club is based here in new york city and they gave this an award. I guess I will not be donating anything to WWF anymore

Not surprised this tasteless ad comes from a politically corrupt third world dump like Brazil.

1. people stop overreacting to anything 9/11 related

2. no attention = no publicity

3. no publicity = no more offensive ads

thank you.

1. people stop overreacting to anything 9/11 related

2. no attention = no publicity

3. no publicity = no more offensive ads

thank you.

You forgot:

4. ???

5. Profit!!

The gorillas make the profits, of course.

Ad concept doesn't make sense mathematically. If the point was that the Tsunami caused 100x more DEATHS, then they needed to photoshop in 50 "twin towers." The way the ad is now, with presumably 100x planes, it's about the proportionally stronger impact vs. actual deaths caused. That agency needs to route their ad to proofreading.

+100x

Um I guess I'm getting to this late, 150 comments in, but maybe someone can catch me up.

What happened on 9-11?

Highly intelligent gorillas from the future caused a cow holocaust in a country that may -- or may not -- be in the third world.

At least that's my takeaway from the comments.

I'm in love, Thespis Marry me.

Wait! never mind mind it won't ever be better than your comment.

Dear Bubba,

After reading the WWF's statement, I think I guessed right that it's only a bunch of inconsiderate creative assholes bored at DDB Brazil looking to create attention for their portfolio. The ad doesn't even make strategic sense for WWF.

I rest my case.

Jesus, then DDB better rein in their Brazilian creatives.

Is this the Land of the free when people attack free speech not for it infactualities but for its "inappropriateness"?

They have a right to publish whatever they want and I have a right to be fucking pissed about it

(sigh)

You beat me to it.

When people like "felixthecat2" play the "Free Speech" card, it's usually to object to people exercising their free speech.

Again, he's a moron.

Again, you are wrong. I am not against free speech but those that speak against free speech. You Failed miserably

Riiiiggghhhhttttt.....

If we disagree and express ourselves, we're against free speech. Uh-huh.

Dare I repeat my point, again "felixthecat2"?

WWF is condemning the ad as unauthorized and conceptual by DDB Brazil in trying to win business? Then why was it submitted to and won that award?

Someone is full of shit on this one.

Clients don't submit work for those kinds of competitions, agencies themselves do. And it's not at all uncommon for an agency to create something "on spec" in the hope that a client will like it. Especially an obscure agency hoping to woo a huge client.

Can you submit a concept creative for an award with the prospective client's name on it even though you were not hired for the work? Seems disingenuous to me. I thought you could only submit work that was actually launched, otherwise any schmuck agency could submit spec work willy nilly for awards.

And DDB is not exactly an "obscure agency."

To be honest I don't understand the ad's message, which seems to be that we can prevent tsunamis by recycling, or something.

But even less do I understand why everyone is condemning it for trying to harness the emotions people feel about 9/11 to evoke some sympathy for the victims of less celebrated tragedies.

What on earth is controversial about that? Is there, like, a fixed amount of sympathy in the world and we need to hoard it all for the victims of 9/11?

If comparing a tsunami to 9/11 offends the memories of the victims of 9/11, doesn't comparing 9/11 to Pearl Harbor -- as nearly every American has done -- offend the memory of the victims of Pearl Harbor?

This is stupidity. Please grow some skin, America.

Actually these planes are all piloted by highly intelligent gorillas from the future.

Now, are these gorillas of the future doing this voluntarily, or were they enslaved and forced to learn how to fly planes? If the latter, FTC2 is very upset with you right now.

Yes FTC2, I must also be your stalker because I make fun of you. I'm obsessed, can't stop. Problem is, you're really upset, I'm just having fun. G'day.

I never said you were my stalker, you deemed yourself as one. You like to play the victim and yet you supporting the bombing of palestine children. I am not upset but I won't be stop from speaking out the truth.

Yes I deemed myself a stalker, I'm obsessed with you FTC2, just like everyone else.

I find it annoying that you are sick of me reminding you that I'm Jewish, yet I don't remind you as you keep reminding me. Then you decide to declare that I endorse the bombing of Palestinian children, obviously because I'm Jewish (even though I'm not Israeli).

As an American, that must mean that you support the bombing of innocent Afghans, since that happens on our watch and dime. Worst of all, we the chosen people have obvious sensitivities about the Holocaust, yet you speak to me as though this alleged cattle holocaust happening today is happening to your people. Are you a cow, or just a selfish, insensitive prick? I'm sorry the cattle have no spokesperson other than you and PETA, but you need to understand that pretending to be someTHING is not the same as actually being someONE.

In terms of the horrors of factory farming, I am more appalled at how the often illegal and often underage human workforce is treated. I don't care that they're illegal, but I care that they are exploited because of their specific immigration status. Again, we the normal people are more concerned with the conditions affecting humans rather than those affecting your true love(s).

I know we'll never stop the vitriol, but what do you think of small farms in which animals are humanely treated? I understand they don't result in the bulk of our meat supply, but it's worth pointing out that such animals do exist despite serving the same purpose (dinner) in the end. Even though vegans choose not to eat anything that comes from an animal, I know a couple who are comfortable with the idea of humane cattle farming and would love to hear you lose your shit about that. Oddly enough, it's the Jewish people that are so obsessed with killing animals humanely (even though kosher farms don't always obey the laws, which I am aware of and don't need you to point out).

I'd love to have a policy discussion with you about the new agriculture bill winding its way through Washington and why forcing small farmers to tag their livestock is unfair and cost-prohibitive (because the bill was written by the agri-business lobby), but you strike me as the type that's all passion and no substance. Your convictions are harmless, but your methods are hideous and ineffective (not to mention the fact that your grammar is poor and you refuse to propose ideas or solutions after spewing the same thing over and over).

Screw the WWF, valeriob is getting all of my charitable contributions because you are impossible to shutup and keep up with. Eat a (imitation meat only) dick.

You strike me as even dumber and more hypocritical than this lady: http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-richmond-ceo-dog-kills-082609,0,3151349.story

Sorry for the long comment, but at least it's well thought out (unlike anything you say).

You typed so much but nothing of substance. The same lame round about BS.

(1) Because I care about the Holocaust of Cows and other species doesn't meant I don't care about exploited workers. That is stupid logic

(2) I don't need to be a cow to feel their pain and speak up for their end of suffering. Did a Non Jew have to be Jew to speak against HItler. That is TOTAL nonsense.

(3) Yes bombing Palestine schools is wrong as well. diverting the issue on USA atrocities doesn't justify Israel's occuptation

Just to confirm, you don't understand anything about public policy (ie. how you can make a difference with your idealism) or proper grammar and syntax?

Eat a dick, grow a brain.

Get on topic guys; this is about highly intelligent gorillas from the future!

VAleriob, my stalker, What a loser

As Valeriob said in Fatal Attraction, "Surely you don't think you can just igNORE me??

VAleriob, my stalker, What a loser

As Valeriob said in Fatal Attraction, "Surely you don't think you can just igNORE me??

And for all these fake victorian prunes that claim they would stop contributing, I bet my money that you don't even contribute since you don't believe in the cause.

I gave them another 50 bucks just for this press release.

Hey Felix, WWF says the ad is not theirs and call it offensive. Did you get all that? It's offensive!

You said it was in good taste, and appropriate. I'm Adding WWF to your list of hate. (along with blacks, jews, gays, the poor, and animal abusers)

you really are retarded? just because I didn't find this ad offensive means I hate WWF? what a real Patsy

you are the king of forcing associations and manipulating comments. My sarcasm and your ignorance is a difficult combination.

Hey loser Stalker, learn to read. I never said it was good taste and appropriate. I said the ad wasn't tasteless or offensive to me. And it is you who have issues since you makes lots of racists jokes as such

looks like it bothers you most!

felixthecat2 replied to comment from Mr Mel

In the United States, the young people of colored are uneducated and live in jails.

is that where all blacks live? in jail?

GET A GIRLFRIEND AND STOP THINKING ABOUT ME. I AM NOT INTERESTED YOU PATHETIC LOSER

How is my pointing out your racist comment make me the racist?

When you (FTC2) say things like all black people live in jail, someone has to say something.

PS you cannot "makes lots", you can make a lot of, even make lots of, but definitely not makes lots.

Nearly 40% of Blacks btw 20-29 years are in jail. check the DOJ website. All the stats are there. WHY DO YOU KEEP FOLLOWING ME. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOUR LITTLE PASTY MIND. CAN YOU JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE NOW. YOU ARE THE FATAL ATTRACTION STALKER.. GO AWAY.

Sorry to feed the troll everyone, but...

The statistic is 1 in 9 black males between the age of 20 and 34, which, as disappointing as it is, is a far, far cry from your 40% figure.

So, now that we're clear on that, do you still hate black people? If not, are you still at least intimidated by us enough that you won't sit next to us on the train? It's always a pleasure to have some shoulder room on behalf of the ignorance and prejudice of folks like yourself. :o)

Wrong Troll, why is it that you trolls can't never have the facts right.

It is 40%, just check the DOJ website. Ignorance is so sad.

http://www.blackdemographics.com/Crime.html

You were one of those kids who had a hard time with the word problems in math class, weren't you? Either that, or you're just plain stupid.

I'm inclined to think that the latter is the case...

Now, I want you to hang with me here, but the correct demographic is 33.8% of the total male inmate population between the ages of 20-29 is black. At least, according to the link you posted above.

What an idiot. You stated "The statistic is 1 in 9 black males between the age of 20 and 34, which, as disappointing as it is, is a far, far cry from your 40% figure" Damn, what an idiot. Check the DOJ and the numbers are there.

I will not ignore your racism. It is not right and should not be allowed here on Gothamist.com

I am not stalking you, I want you ease up on your hatred for all the things you personally don't believe in and for others who do.

Wow, you really are deranged.

PRESS RELEASE

WWF STRONGLY CONDEMNS UNAUTHORIZED AD CAMPAIGN

WASHINGTON, DC, September 1, 2009 – World Wildlife Fund today issued the following statement in response to an ad posted on several Internet sites that has been inaccurately linked to our organization and contains messages and images related to the events of 9-11.

“WWF strongly condemns this offensive and tasteless ad and did not authorize its production or publication. It is our understanding that it was a concept offered by an outside advertising agency seeking our business in Brazil. The concept was summarily rejected by WWF and should never have seen the light of day. It is an unauthorized use of our logo and we are aggressively pursuing action to have it removed from websites where it is being currently featured. We strongly condemn the messages and the images portrayed in this ad. On behalf of WWF, here in the US and around the world, we can promise you this ad does not in any way reflect the thoughts and feelings of the people of our organization.”

Hope people read this far down...

Albinosquirrel FTW.

Thanks for helping clear this up... not sure how a reputable organization like WWF got mixed up in all this, but it seems as tho there's more to this story than meets the eye. I shouldna rushed to judge so quickly. Thanks albinosquirrel!

Wait.... oh, no! Now I gotta keep them on my donations list! More money I gotta give! Damn you, albinosquirrel! :)

Oh they'll read it. This is awesome info!

Thank you!

interesting. link?

http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem13540.html

thank you. great catch!

wait..i typed up wwf + wtc and i got this:

http://img.moonbuggy.org/hulk-hogan-vs-world-trade-centre/

that is so wrong, yet soooo right.

hahaha

Apparently they won an award for this shit:

http://www.oneclub.org/os/os/showcase/?year=2009&id=10486

Not clever. Probably fake.

"They also note that it won some sort of Public Service award! [via Animal]"

Wow Sherlock Holmes, did the above last line on this post clue you in on the award?

FAIL

(My link turns "some sort of award" to the actual award page)

WWF: "humans

beware our animal terror"

I believe this ad is wrong, but for different reasons than most people here have cited.

This is what the ad text says:

THE TSUNAMI KILLED 100 TIMES MORE PEOPLE THAN 9/11.
The planet is brutally powerful. Respect it. Preserve it. www.wwf.org

If so, I think they missed the mark. They could have shown a scene from the tsunami. To my mind their ad just ups the ante in terms of imagining the the much greater destructive power of our technologies -- from rogue WMD to a full-blown nuclear exchange between superpowers. Indeed, there were more planes than this over the cities of Europe during WWII, and far more people were incinerated by the bombing campaigns.

In short, we can blow shit up real good ourselves. The capacity of the human race for senseless short-term destruction is unmatched, even by planetary processes. The whole notion of such power as deserving "respect" I think is a mistake. To the contrary, the exercise of such destructive power deserves to be spat upon and disrespected. The scene depicted in the ad should no more inspire awe or "respect" than the crass image of "gangsta" or "thug" violence in popular culture.

At best, they are only going to succeed in offending people.

Captain Sully Sullenberger and His Rain of Terror!

Jesus christ... that's art. I mean it evokes some negative emotions... but it evokes emotion... and it's technically brilliant...

It's freaking art. Nicely done sir.

We can only hope that all you talentless art hippsters are sitting in every seat of those planes. Get a real job or kill yourself

Are they calling all the poor dead Indonesians "wildlife?"

Hahaha, no you're wrong; Felixthecat is calling Indonesians wildlife. Their oppressed animals utilized their instincts to escape to higher ground and watch their evil overlords perish.

I did not say that, and no wonder no man want to tap your dumb fat ass.

Dude, I'm 5'10" and weigh 160, on my way to the gym now so I can devour a dead cow carcass later...with my girlfriend.

Please learn how to speak, spell, and use proper grammar. Your hatred of the world is disturbing.

You are still in denial that the farm factories are the HOLOCAUST. I don't care how many times you till me you are a Jew, Jews were not the only ones who died in the Holocaust. You don't own the word. The native americans don't make a big stink whenever genocide is used and they been wiped out with their culture.

I think I've said I'm Jewish twice, yet never denied that 40% of the victims weren't Jews. I didn't even argue about this crap with you today, just pointing out you're a douche that hearts animals more than your own self.

No you are a douche because you believe defending other species means you hate your own specie. I am sure Hitler felt those Germans that rescues Jew hated themselves as well. FARM FACTORIES ARE THE HOLOCAUSTS OF OTHER SPECIES

who cares?

the ad is disgusting-fuck Vince McMahon and the WWF! ECW was much better before he took over.

It seems to me the point of the ad was to get local news media to show it so more eyes would see it and people would be talking about it. For better or for worse, all the people that have read this post and all the people that have commented on it have today thought about 9/11, the '04 tsunami, terrorism, natural disasters, preventable vs. unpreventable deaths, and they have drawn some level of association between WWF and those events. Whereas had this ad not been shocking enough to be picked up by Gothamist, chances are none of you would have considered those things today. That, and that alone, is probably why it won a Public Service award.

What good is an ad that gets tons of views if it is turning those viewers against the ad's message? Particularly when many of those people were sympathetic to the WWF and their cause PRIOR to seeing the ad?

Yeesh! 9/11 is sacred ground because it happened to America. Please---! Disaters are mentioned all of the time without everyone getting their dander up. Nobody takes would think twice about using the tsunami in a similar way. Why? Becuase they were poor, non-white, non-western people. No wonder the world hates us. We better get off our fucking high horse.

Plenty of non-white people got killed when those towers went down.

Wow, I didn't know you were so racist. It must kill you every day to know that a black man is YOUR president. LOL

looks like it bothers you most!

felixthecat2 replied to comment from Mr Mel

In the United States, the young people of colored are uneducated and live in jails.

is that where all blacks live? in jail?

Valeriob, first I am from Kentucky and now I am colored. what a hateful insignificant man you are. Yes, it does bother me that in OUR country we have 1 in 142 US people are imprisoned and are largely people of colored. Now time for you to put your KKK cap and cruise people's backyard.