Everywhere we go we're bombarded. Taking the tube or reading a paper is akin to storming the Normandy beaches of consumerism, dodging the promotional machine gun of P.R. and branding.
And that is pretty much how I want it to be at the moment, it means I'm doing my job properly. However, just because advertising is my current occupation, does not necessarily mean I enjoy adverts.
Sure, we all enjoyed that corker of a T Mobile campaign with the dancing at Liverpool St, and I must admit to regularly guffawing at the completely ridiculous Natural Sweet Co 'Bring on the Trumpets' ad. But it seems for every couple of entertaining campaigns, there is a myriad of complete and utter crap.
I often find myself ranting about ads at work, purely because they are inescapable. Whether it be those two frightfully ugly children in the Cadbury's 'Eyebrows' ad or that infernal Barry Scott bellowing at the top of his lungs the merits of Cilit Bang and how it can make your pennies squeaky clean.
This week, my number one rant victim is Norwich Union. I must admit I rather enjoyed the Aviva campaign with the likes of Bruce Willis and Alice Cooper, but this 'Happy' character really gets my goat.
As I remember it, the 'Quote Me Happy' tagline from a couple of years back was based around customers phoning Norwich Union, saying "Quote me happy" to the disembodied voice on the telephone, then rolling about the place consumed with glee. Now, however, Happy has taken on the form of this faceless business tyrant holidaying in Scotland, rushing to London in record time, spurred on by a credit crisis and the fact that he may not get his bonus, and promising to make our car insurance cheaper.
Then, even worse, sat in a pub munching on cake with two expressionless douchebags discussing sharing rival companies' quotes, even if they are cheaper. Yes, we get it, everyone hates financial companies, so you have to rebuild trust in the populous, but at least get people who have facial expressions in your adverts.
So, my underlying question, who is this Happy character, and when did he magically transform from a simple slogan to an actual human?
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