'Cerebellum Slap' the New 'Curiously Strong'

altoids_slap_cerebellum.jpg

Well someone doesn't like this new work for Altoids from Energy BBDO...and it just might be us. Though we're not sure. Let's discuss. While Adrants reader Maury tells us the work is "fucking terrible," we can't help but get a chuckle out of what one might label "witty British humor" when it comes to the ad's tagline, "A slap to the cerebellum since 1780." It's just so...sepia toned.

OK, OK, so it's not the more eloquent "Curiously Strong" but that just might be OK in today's ad world. After all, isn't the new trend to "slap one upside the head" like their an idiot akin to Dads who can't figure out how to use a cell phone or guys who throw cell phones at each other in the locker room or guys that whack each other in beer commercials or cause groups that stick a naked pregnant woman in a cage because, oh, we're too stupid to figure out that, yea, pigs don't live in McMansions?

Perhaps "Curiously Strong" has become curiously weak in our over saturated ad world where shooting the proverbial gerbil out of a cannon is the only way to connect with people. Maybe the only way to deliver a message is with direct assault and a big 'ol punch to the...cerebellum. Add a dose of subdued sepia-toned wit and maybe you've got yourself a not so bad commercial. Maybe.

by Steve Hall    Mar- 3-08   Click to Comment   
Topic: Bad, Commercials, Creative Commentary, Good   

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Comments



Comments

I feel ashamed to know this ... but I think "cerebellum slap" is an homage to a Dane Cook joke.

Posted by: Tom on March 3, 2008 12:01 PM

they never should have fired burnett.

Posted by: Carlos Guitierez on March 4, 2008 8:09 AM

Except there's no excusing bad science.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebellum

grr.

Posted by: K on March 9, 2008 8:53 PM

By far the most creative tv spot I have seen in years. David Ogilvy and George Lois would be proud

I remember the product, tag line and was entertained.
The Invention spot is excellent also. Keep up the great work!

Posted by: MARIO BRUNI on March 13, 2008 3:56 PM

By far the most creative tv spot I have seen in years. David Ogilvy and George Lois would be proud

I remember the product, tag line and was entertained.
The Invention spot is excellent also. Keep up the great work!

Posted by: MARIO BRUNI on March 13, 2008 3:58 PM

There's a review on Poster's site: godsofadvertising.
I think he created original

Posted by: the addict on March 14, 2008 6:21 PM

There's a review on Poster's site: godsofadvertising.
I think he created original

Posted by: the addict on March 14, 2008 6:22 PM

Slap to the cerebellum makes no sense, it should be cerebrum...

Posted by: Pancho on April 3, 2008 12:53 AM