I finally found the one thing absolutely worse than using the same stock images in print/online advertisements that someone else is. It has to be using the same commercial actor in television ads that run to a similar target market during the same programming. Case in point:
Taco Bell is currently running an ad for its Zesty Chicken Border Bowl, which has a guy who asks the help at the counter if it’s true they don’t make his “bowl” until he places the order, then proceeds to taunt the employee by not completing the words “Zesty Chicken Border Bowl” over and over. I’m sure you’ve seen it, if you’ve watched ANY television with commercials in the last month. [ed: Bill Simmons comments (see 8:24)]
So tonight, I’m watching the ESPN’s NFL coverage, and sure enough, there’s the guy again in one of those nifty new Miller Lite commercials where the referees are throwing flags at unsuspecting Bud drinkers. In this spot, the actor, “Dan” as he’s named, is trying to act all cool delivering Budweiser to the local bar, staffed by two women. He’s pummelled with at least three yellow flags from the Miller refs, who call him on “illegal use of a handtruck” and “taste masking.” This ad seems to go directly after Budweiser’s recent ads claiming that its “Born on dating” and new “Same day” beer in “select cities” makes it superior to its competition.
Needless to say, I’ve seen “Dan” working for multiple companies within the same hour or two - I’m sure I’m not the only one. Not to hold “Dan” back from making a living, but I think advertisers need to think a little bit on this one.
