Comments on: One is the loneliest number!

One is the loneliest number!

cjorgensen — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:59:46 -0800

Have you seen the new ads for Diet Pepsi Max? Reactions have not been kind. Some are comparing it to The Book of Bunny Suicides. The images in the Pepsi links are the same, the comments are not.

And I am aware of the irony of posting about Pepsi.

By: dunkadunc

dunkadunc — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:05:39 -0800

Hey! I wonder if they chose this theme so as to stir up controversy and get more attention through said controversy? Oh wait. Pepsi wouldn't do that.

By: HaloMan

HaloMan — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:06:33 -0800

Wait. I thought Pepsi Max contained no calories, so what the hell is Diet Pepsi Max?

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:06:50 -0800

Client disavowal of ever approving them in 5, 4,3,2,1...

By: fusinski

fusinski — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:07:44 -0800

I think Pepsi Max was Pepsi with a buttload of caffeine.

By: boo_radley

boo_radley — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:08:09 -0800

When you think of suicide, think of Died Pepsi Max!

By: rand

rand — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:10:52 -0800

I thought Pepsi Max contained no calories, so what the hell is Diet Pepsi Max? It's so diet that it has -1 calories. That's why the calorie is so suicidal.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:12:18 -0800

Since these print ads were created by BBDO's Düsseldorf team, where are they appearing. Only Germany? Europe? Elsewhere?

By: christonabike

christonabike — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:13:14 -0800

! This article contains weasel words: Some^[who?] are comparing it to The Book of Bunny Suicides

By: ALongDecember

ALongDecember — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:14:15 -0800

Wait. I thought Pepsi Max contained no calories, so what the hell is Diet Pepsi Max? No, you're thinking of Diet Cherry Vanilla Pepsi Max Twist With Lime Holiday Spice.

By: cjorgensen

cjorgensen — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:15:51 -0800

christonabike, in the comments on almost every link at least one person references that book.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:16:28 -0800

where are they appearing. Only Germany? Europe? Elsewhere? I'm guessing "the internet, right now".

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:18:49 -0800

According to comments in some of the FPP's links, Johan Potma was the illustrator hired by BBDO to create the images.

By: DU

DU — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:19:41 -0800

This is completely outrageous! I mean, a professional graphic designer working on a million dollar account can't get the perspective right on a straight-line bullet trajectory??

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:19:47 -0800

I'm guessing "the internet, right now". I get it, but I assume this is a "print" campaign in magazines. If so, where was/is the media buy?

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:20:45 -0800

I would assume "entirely fictional media buy".

By: gurple

gurple — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:25:38 -0800

I will respect the first soda company to come out with an ad campaign built around the concept "Soda: drink of suckers".

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:27:02 -0800

According to this comment: "They're acrylics on old wood panels, no Photoshop filters." Other works of his are at: Zozoville Gallery (Berlin). More images at Flickr.

By: Zambrano

Zambrano — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:29:33 -0800

Some[who?] are comparing it to The Book of Bunny Suicides posted by christonabike at 9:13 PM on December 3 [+] [!] christonabike, in the comments on almost every link at least one person references that book. One link mentions it and the UK blogs are praising the ads. You have a bright future in TV news writing.

By: Zambrano

Zambrano — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:32:05 -0800

Metafilter: If we can't find thinks that offend us, we'll make shit up.

By: Slack-a-gogo

Slack-a-gogo — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:34:44 -0800

Hey, this is the most I've talked about Pepsi Max in ag....what is Pepsi Max again? Is available where I ever I purchase my sweet, caffeine loaded carbonated drinks?

By: pyrex

pyrex — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:40:11 -0800

Blue!

By: LunaticFringe

LunaticFringe — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:40:30 -0800

I think they're cute but they don't make me want to drink Pepsi Max nor do they make me want to commit suicide. So, I guess they fail. Still cute though.

By: cjorgensen

cjorgensen — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:42:00 -0800

Zambrano, and your future is obviously not in web searches. And I never mentioned being offended. At least I don't thinks I did.

By: Slack-a-gogo

Slack-a-gogo — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:43:25 -0800

Is there anyway Alan Vega and Martin Rev can get a piece of this action?

By: JHarris

JHarris — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:51:59 -0800

The first image that resolves on my retinas when I open them at dawn, is advertising. And the last work of our culture to dissolve into dust after billions of years of decay will be advertising.

By: DreamerFi

DreamerFi — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:51:59 -0800

Have you seen the new ads for Diet Pepsi Max? No, and I like to keep it that way. Actually: Have you seen the new ads for <fill in the blank>? is another question I prefer to answer with "No, and I like to keep it that way". It's called AdBlock, and I'd love one that works on more than just my browser.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:54:32 -0800

You should tell people that all the time, it could be the new asshole-ish declaration of not having a television.

By: cavalier

cavalier — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:56:03 -0800

It's called AdBlock, and I'd love one that works on more than just my browser. Hey! The economy just ground to a halt, and they're asking for you! ZING!

By: Metroid Baby

Metroid Baby — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:57:02 -0800

I find them simultaneously endearing and tasteless. But I'd really rather open a can of soda without the fear of finding a beady-eyed blue corpse floating around inside.

By: DreamerFi

DreamerFi — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:57:24 -0800

You should tell people that all the time, it could be the new asshole-ish declaration of not having a television. Look at me going for the asshole-dollar. Big market, very smart!

By: null terminated

null terminated — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:03:06 -0800

Pepsi Blue

By: rand

rand — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:03:16 -0800

Maybe the asshole-dollar will be worth more than the regular-dollar in the near future?

By: DreamerFi

DreamerFi — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:04:07 -0800

Hey! The economy just ground to a halt, and they're asking for you! ZING! Wait, you really think the economy is going down the crapper because I refuse to watch advertising? Wow.

By: Saxon Kane

Saxon Kane — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:06:51 -0800

This is completely outrageous! I mean, a professional graphic designer working on a million dollar account can't get the perspective right on a straight-line bullet trajectory?? There was clearly a second shooter on the grassy knoll.

By: boo_radley

boo_radley — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:14:35 -0800

Oh no, DreamerFi's caught in a run-time smug-overload.

By: DreamerFi

DreamerFi — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:20:00 -0800

Yeah, boo - noted. I'm out of this thread. Apologies to all.

By: hellojed

hellojed — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:26:12 -0800

I liked The Bunny Suicides, I'm into edgy and non-mainstream stuff, I like offbeat humor. I'm pretty sure I'm in the age bracket that this ad is aimed at, too. So, this ad should really appeal to me. Somehow it doesn't, somehow, by simpling being an advertisement and being connected to Pepsi's never ending quest for money it betrays the whole "edgy" vibe. Also, The Bunny Suicides' humor derived from the creativity of the methods, not the act itself. Slapping a bunch of death methods on the same critter doesn't make humor, or edgy, it's just kind of shocking. One thing's for sure, it dosen't make me want to buy a fucking soda. PS: There are better ways to illustrate that there is, in fact, one "lonely" calorie in Diet Pepsi Max. You could have a visual juxtaposition of one unit versus a thousands (or how many are in a typical non-diet product. But at this point I'm essentially doing the ad-men's work for them. If you're reading this ad-men or ad-men interns, I will crawl through the cat-5 cables and routers, personally, to physically punch you in the dick)

By: SansPoint

SansPoint — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:35:45 -0800

So, it's similar to somethign else, but not exactly. It's also advertising. What's the controversy again?

By: Potomac Avenue

Potomac Avenue — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:41:43 -0800

JHarris: You should stop sleeping facedown in a pile of Vogue. I know, I know, they smell like Mommy, but it can't be good for you.

By: hellojed

hellojed — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:46:43 -0800

What's the controversy again? I don't know. I don't think juxtaposing a product with images of death is going to do wonders for. It's not very subtle, either. I think if you're going to tackle a risky subject, such as sex or suicide, one would want to do so with an air of subtly. But to answer your question, I think it's the use of violence to sell a product and the association it makes with loneliness and suicide. It's not so much a Think of the Children controversy, more a What were They Smoking controversy.

By: Guy_Inamonkeysuit

Guy_Inamonkeysuit — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:48:45 -0800

Awww, poor little Blue Max. Someone ought to tell him that things go better with Coke. Might cheer him up a bit.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:53:13 -0800

I suspect the actual product here is BBDO Düsseldorf.

By: mr_roboto

mr_roboto — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:58:14 -0800

Wow. This thread has the highest concentration of pure snark I've seen on MetaFilter in ages. What's wrong, guys? Holiday stress? Economy?

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:23:29 -0800

Have you seen the motel or bartending threads?

By: Durn Bronzefist

Durn Bronzefist — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:23:31 -0800

Their spoons are too big.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:29:38 -0800

I think if you're going to tackle a risky subject, such as sex or suicide... Ah, memories of the Suicide Girls ads on MetaFilter brouhaha.

By: mazola

mazola — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:54:48 -0800

Diet Pepsi Max: When Life Is Just No Longer Worth Living

By: ericbop

ericbop — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:06:52 -0800

Pepsi's blue.

By: quin

quin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:07:33 -0800

DU : This is completely outrageous! I mean, a professional graphic designer working on a million dollar account can't get the perspective right on a straight-line bullet trajectory?? More importantly, look at the size of that bullet! There is simply no way that that gun could have fired it, it's bigger than that barrel! And isn't cutting across the wrist a sign of attention getting? I thought that people who were really committed went the long way as it maximized the bleed-out. Also, that bird is totally going to be killed by that bomb blast. What kind of message are they trying to send here? It's irresponsible is what it is. You shouldn't cover yourself in acid after killing yourself, it's going to make identifying your body that much harder. Is that what you really want? To make the lives of the people who have to deal with your corpse that much more difficult? Selfish bastards.

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:07:23 -0800

Ah, memories of the Suicide Girls ads on MetaFilter brouhaha. But with less breasts, sadly.

By: kaibutsu

kaibutsu — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:42:44 -0800

Good thing the lone calorie is a single entity. It means if I drink half a can of Diet Pepsi Blue Max, there's only a 50/50 chance that I have consumed a calorie! huzzah!

By: Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:47:13 -0800

Awww, poor little Blue Max. Someone ought to tell him that things go better with Coke. Might cheer him up a bit. There is likely an agency or designer out there making up spec ads around this idea. Or there should be.

By: gwint

gwint — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:41:19 -0800

And to think it was only three years ago.

By: mek

mek — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:43:21 -0800

Wow. This thread has the highest concentration of pure snark I've seen on MetaFilter in ages. What's wrong, guys? Holiday stress? Economy? posted by mr_roboto at 1:58 PM on December 3 [+] [!] Metafilter and Pepsi and viral advertising DO NOT MIX!

By: cjorgensen

cjorgensen — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:46:32 -0800

ericb, those links rock, thanks! Makes this a much stronger thread. I honestly know very little about advertising, so just figured some in house guy at the ad agency made the images. I didn't expect him to have a bunch of other work out there. The myspace images are cool as hell. I love this hind of artwork, but know I'd have had to have made better decisions in life to have the kind of money needed to afford it. And I am amazed a Pepsi post survived. I just figured I'd check here in 5 or 10 minutes and find out what cortex listed as his reason for deletion. I doubt I'm in the running for best December post with this one, but I liked it.

By: atrazine

atrazine — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:13:21 -0800

Metafilter threads about advertising are always deeply stupid. All you people saying that people seeing this won't be immediately buying a crate of Pepsi Max are missing the point. Advertising does not seek to convince your conscious mind. They're trying to get as many 'touches' on as many minds as possible. They're also trying to create the association between edginess and their brand, which is not a bad idea for a product which is basically a diet drink and thus suffers from a cultural perception as a women's product. These associations are intended to long outlive the advertising. from wikipedia (so take with necessary grains of salt): Recent UK/Australia Pepsi Max television advertisements have featured the taglines "Maximum taste, no sugar" and "Don't worry, there's no sugar." Some have incorporated extreme sports and video games such as Motocross Mania in an attempt to appeal to young men (in contrast to other diet cola drinks, which tend to target young women) (emph mine)

By: jimahon

jimahon — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:40:27 -0800

Makes me wanna kill myself right now!!!! But really, I need a pepsi max thingy or I'll do it.......

By: cjorgensen

cjorgensen — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:48:54 -0800

I don't know about wanting PepsiMax, but I do want the artwork. Looks like they pulled the ads. And as far as talking about ads, seems as valid as any other topic, as long as it's interesting. But I promise no more ad posts for at least 13 more posts.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:12:57 -0800

I tried a Diet Pepsi Max once. Based on that tasting, 'd say the ad campaign is spot on as it reflected my feelings while that swill was in my mouth.