Ford Just Absolutely Destroyed Cadillac's Ad Praising Rich Guys Who Work All The Time

[HughBeaumont]

43. Cadillac further shoots own feet by "clearing up misconceptions".

http://adage.com/article/news/cadillac-clears-misconceptions-poolside-ad/291925/

Advertising Age interviewed Cadillac's Mr. Bierley on the strong reaction to the spot. He said the spot's been "misconstrued" by some viewers. He wanted to set the record straight. Among the misperceptions:

It's aimed at the richest 1%
Not so, says Mr. Bierley. Rather than millionaires, the spot's targeted at customers who make around $200,000 a year. They're consumers with a "little bit of grit under their fingernails" who "pop in and out of luxury" when and how they see fit, he said. "These are people who haven't been given anything. Every part of success they've achieved has been earned through hard work and hustle. . . . One of the ways they reward themselves for their hard work is through the purchase of a luxury car," he said.

It's about materialism

Go back and watch the beginning, said Mr. Bierley. Right up front, Mr. McDonough dismisses the idea the reason American work so hard is to buy "stuff." What he's really saying is that Americans work hard because that's what they love to do. Luxury cars and other expensive goodies are a byproduct of success; not the objective. "It's basically saying hard work creates its own luck. In order to achieve it, you just have to believe anything's possible. You have to believe in yourself, you have to believe in possibilities. It's really about optimism. It's really a fundamental human truth: optimism about creating your own future. It's not about materialism."

Americans work hard because if we DON'T, we're under a bridge and starving. Some of us end up that way no matter HOW hard we work, and working your fingers to the bone often gets you nothing but bony fingers. Certainly doesn't get you a fucking swimming pool.

And is anyone but me completely sick of that line "hard work creates its own luck"?? Or "you make your own luck in life"??