Q1: Analyse in depth a design related issue that has courted major controversy in both professional and public domains. Evaluate if the negative accusations of the media artefact are merited.
Hello people of the Internet.
Today, we’re going to look into adverts that went viral on the various types of media.
On the 6th of February 2012, a KFC worker punched a customer in the face and kicked him. The customer had been waiting for almost an hour for fried chicken but was then told that there weren’t any left. Things heated up when the employee threw in a racist phrase: “Kalau mau makan, buat sendiri lah babi (If you want to eat, make it yourself, pig!)” (Lee, 2012). The whole incident was filmed and posted on YouTube which then went viral. It was all over the media from CNN to The Star Online and several Chinese media such as TVBS (Ooi, 2014).
Long story short, a customer got punched by a KFC employee.
You may think KFC was sympathised by some of its competitors but not Nando’s. They are savage af.
After the incident went viral, Nando’s — a restaurant chain, specialising in flame-grilled Peri-Peri chicken dishes saw this as an opportunity to advertise their brand. So they came up with this poster and posted it on their Facebook page which says:
We’re Good at Punchlines, not Punches.
I think that advert was brilliant. A competitor’s misfortune is a rare opportunity for another company to benefit from and get its message heard in today’s increasingly noisy social media landscape. This is a competitive industry after all. Nando’s saw an opportunity, took the shot and it was worth it.
24 hours after the post was released on Facebook, there was already 3,389 shares, over 400 comments and over 2000 likes (Lim, 2012).
Many Nando’s Malaysia fans were saying that it’s funny and catchy; it’s brilliant on the take of the opportunity of an unfortunate event, turning it around so that it benefits them (Lee, 2012). Of course there were also criticisms, but they were overshadowed by compliments. One point goes to Nando’s!
This advert attracted the attention of many who complimented the ad and write/blog about it. Basically, everyone was talking about it.
PLOT TWIST.
One day Nando’s is looked up by many, the other they are criticised and mocked. They are an embarrassment.
On the 27th of March 2016, a sexist press ad of Nando’s India was released in Hindustan Times which lead to major controversy among the public.
There are so many wrongs in that one ad. First of which is they are objectifying women. "We don't mind if you touch our buns, or breasts or even our thighs. Whatever you're into, enjoying any Nando's meal with your hands is always recommended”. Are they comparing us to chickens? This is sexism at its best! Nando’s India was being so insensitive and what even are they implying? That rape culture and sexual harassment are not a big deal and should be normalised?
People could be saying, ‘oh there’s a double meaning to it, why would you want to look at the ugly side, that’s sad you’re sad’. But they don’t understand that it’s out there, it is so obvious what the phrase is relating to, even their headline says it all: “Try something you an grab with both hands” & “Try something that shows off a bit of skin”, I MEAN.. (Glenday, 2016). Even though the company is simply just creating spontaneous attention in the mind of the reader and we should be more open minded, but India is a country where the objectification of women is a trend, so Nando’s should be more sensitive to the issue.
Other arguments that were made from the public can be seen below. Even Omar Abdullah, who is an Indian Politician criticised this advert in a tweet.
Criticisms made on Twitter by the Users.
After seeing all the criticisms, Nando’s issued a public apology on their Facebook Page (Agnihotri, 2016).
In a study done at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, it is suggested that nudity, violence , sexist image and indecent language are factors that should be taken into account when designing an advertisement (C, 2012). Sexist adverts like those designed by Nando’s and Firely have also proven for it to be true. As a designer, things like that should be taken seriously to avoid offending people but just like everyone says, one can learn a lot from someone else's mistake.
References:
Agnihotri, S. (2016) ‘Sexist or not: Nando's latest print ad is raising hell on social media’. Available at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sexist-or-not-nandos-latest-print-ad-is-raising-hell-on-social-media/1/629677.html (Accessed: 26th June 2016).
C, E. (2016) ‘MALAYSIAN ADOLESCENTS VIEW OF CONTROVERSIAL ADVERTISING’. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/ErnestCdeRun/malaysian-adolescents-view-of-controversial-advertising (Accessed: 26th June 2016).
Glenday, J. (2016) “Sexist Indian Nando’s newspaper ad goes viral after inviting customers to ‘touch our breasts’”. Available at: http://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/03/28/sexist-indian-nando-s-newspaper-ad-goes-viral-after-inviting-customers-touch-our (Accessed: 26th June 2016).
Lee, P. (2012) ‘KFC worker punches customer’, FMT. Available at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/02/08/kfc-worker-punches-customer/ (Accessed: 26th June 2016).
Lim, Y. (2012) ‘Nando’s Malaysia Posted Its Punching Policy on Facebook’. Available at: http://www.greyreview.com/2012/02/15/nandos-malaysia-posted-its-punching-policy-on-facebook/ (Accessed: 26th June 2016).
Ooi, C. (2014) ‘KFC staff punched customer’. Available at: https://prezi.com/ft2z_vlognpk/kfc-staff-punched-customer/ (Accessed: 26th June 2016).
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