Snickers Gives New Yorkers A 'Hungerectomy'

snickers_ads2.jpg

B.L. Ochman sent us this photo of a bus emblazoned with "Hungerectomy" in typeface identical to that used by Snickers. While it's certainly a campaign for Snickers, we're not quite sure the "ectomy" thing and all the nasty medical connotations that brings to light are necessarily what Sickers would want people to associates with its tasty treat.

UPDATE: Thomas Sherman reviews the campaign here and says he doesn't understand why the agency behind it wouldn't "give it some legs" by buying keywords on Google for the weird ads in the campaign. He also says the words make him feel like he'll get some sort of disease if he eats a Snickers bar. We don't disagree.

Written by Steve Hall    Comments (26)     File: Outdoor     Jul-18-06  
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Comments

They have these adds all over Chicago, on Cabs and busses. They say different things, like Nougatcity

Posted by: Tony on July 18, 2006 12:37 PM

I also saw a Peanut one, that I think said Peanuticity. Hopefully there is not one that says Peanutectomy

Posted by: B.L. Ochman on July 18, 2006 12:51 PM

They're all over Boston, too. Nougaticity, satisfectellant, the whole nine yards!

Posted by: Jeff on July 18, 2006 01:11 PM

maybe I was wrong, but i thought the ad was clever. I thought it meant "replace hunger with a snickers bar"

Posted by: dee on July 18, 2006 01:27 PM

I have a rather ok but so what attitude at first glance. I am a fan of a Snickers about one time a week. I would likely respond better if what I saw was "Snickers" on all of the ads. Still yet we all know the logo and design.

Posted by: Roy on July 18, 2006 01:39 PM

All sounds like "porn" and "medical" type prodcedures... maybe I am thinking too much.

I just think of "histrectomy" and

Posted by: scott on July 18, 2006 02:10 PM

All over Chicago. Annoyingly. On tops of cabs, full buses, etc. The bf (not in marketing) asked me the other day, "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Satisfectellant ... what?" I searched for the words (actual words, found in dictionaries & stuff) to describe: "It's a Snickers ad campaign. They're all over. They're using pieces of words & smooshing them together to ... to ... well, I have no freaking clue what they're trying to accomplish here." His response? "That's lame."

That about covers it.

Oh ... & I went out & bought a candy bar today. Was it a Snickers since I should subconsciously crave one considering I see the logo everywhere I go? Uh, no.

Posted by: Girlfriend on July 18, 2006 03:24 PM

They are in Dallas, too. All over the city buses. And while I wasn't impressed with "Satisfectellant", I find "Hungerectomy" to be genius. Genius, I tell ya!

Posted by: topcad [TypeKey Profile Page] on July 18, 2006 04:06 PM

We have them in Philadelphia, too. When I saw the bus for the first time, I thought, how clever. Then I saw it read Satisfacellent, or whatever. And I thought -- so unneccessary, so trying too hard. It's such a strong brand that all I needed to get the message was to see was the bus wrap mimicking the packaging. Enough with the smartypantsosity, Snickers!

Posted by: Maryann Devine on July 18, 2006 04:25 PM

Clever campaign. In less than .5 seconds you know who it's for, it's interesting, and it lingers. Insert stick and keep bashing a creative campaign that gets there in a humorous way without resorting to the direction of obnoxious.

Posted by: Jeremy on July 18, 2006 04:36 PM

i've seen these in a variety of places across manhattan. highly concentrated around my office near times square (R/GA).

simple. clutter cutting. intereting language. easily recognizable.

love them so much, my ass is getting ass is becoming as a billboard.

Posted by: Jon on July 18, 2006 05:21 PM

seems rather simple and to the point. if you don't get them, you at least recognize the branding and wonder, "man, that looks like it could be for Snickers....ummm, a Snickers sounds good...damn good."

i like.

Posted by: Scott Burns on July 18, 2006 05:49 PM

I've noticed them in Dallas quite a bit and like them. I'd look right past a Snickers logo, but these make me do a double take -- which is not a bad thing.

Posted by: soctt on July 18, 2006 07:35 PM

rectomy bus side ads are moving up and down 5th ave and Mad ave...should make people think about anal cremes and hemoriod pads. bus is covered in brown and both sides have the rectomy. disgusting images erupt with each viewing. top ten worst campaign this year nominee. accounts could shift by year end (imho)

Posted by: gooserectomy on July 19, 2006 08:59 AM

These ads are running on buses in San Francisco. I dig 'em. HUNGERECTOMY simply means REMOVES HUNGER. Nice and simple. Worked for me, I got it the second I read it.

Posted by: Johnny B on July 19, 2006 01:14 PM

PEANUTOPOLIS

this, nor any other ads in the series, have anything to do with anal cream.

Posted by: bigoxymoron on July 19, 2006 02:18 PM

Hung? Erect? O, my!

Yeah, I was OK with "Snickers Satisfies" but this one is a little over the top.

Posted by: Bruce on July 19, 2006 04:47 PM

I really just want to know whether they pitched "Satisexcellent" the first time around.

Posted by: PLD on July 20, 2006 02:18 PM

I think the ad was genius. This is the whole point of advertising.. to have people talk about it.. and the snickers people did achieve it. U see the design on the boards and u know what it stands for! awesome guys!

Posted by: Jenny on July 25, 2006 03:38 PM

Snickers ads are all over the buses in downtown LA I thought it was an ad for a movie. It's too hot for chocolate so the ads aren't turning many people on.

Posted by: EMF on July 27, 2006 06:10 PM

doesn't anyone else get the subliminal advertising here..."HUNG - ERECT - O MY!"

Posted by: e on July 28, 2006 01:04 PM

it is
penutopolis
hungerectomy
satisfectellant
substancialicious

and some others that i cant remember

Posted by: becca on August 20, 2006 10:18 PM

The hungerectomy seems to be over a few peoples heads. The ectomy suffix, which so many people are associating with a medical procedure, is exactly what Snickers is referencing. For example, an appendectomy is a removal of the appendix. So what hungerectomy is meant to say is that Snickers is a removal of hunger.

Posted by: Adam on September 18, 2006 04:53 PM

In addition to the obvious medical tie-in "Hungerectomy" can be broken down to say "Hung Erect O My." It's a strange add to say the least and while it may get people talking it does not make me want to eat a snickers anytime soon.

Posted by: MJ on October 11, 2006 12:22 PM

It's just begining here in California... I just saw the first Nougatcity ad on a bus driving to work this morning. It's finally made it here to California.

Posted by: Eddie on November 13, 2006 12:18 PM

I think this is where stupid people tried too hard in coming up with a word that people will clearly associate with a medical procedure. Having had a cancer-related Radical Hysterectomy recently, I find the ad to be as stupid as the people who financed it. I used to by the company products and will no longer. Untill it happens to you or someone you love a Hysterectomy is no laughing matter. In this case, they should have thought about the words more carefully. It's affecting their pocket and it will keep affecting their company in a negative way.

Cecilia

Posted by: Cecilia on February 10, 2007 12:25 PM

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