Negative Pit Bull Cell Phone Ad

I received an email the other day, from an online friend, describing a new advertisement for a recently released cellular product. The email set my teeth on edge. Since television advertising frequently is targeted to various test areas in various parts of the country, we don’t get to view them all. I was not aware of this commercial, as spotty airing leaves many of us in the dark about the "clever" commercials, which some companies promote.

This particularly distasteful ad for a fancy new cellular product, created by an advertising group for a well-known wireless service must have considered this ad quite "clever" and entertaining. It features a man with curly long hair, spying the fancy cell phone on the hood of a car, just out of his reach in a fenced in junk yard, guarded by a couple of very powerful Pit Bull dogs. The man, apparently ambivalent about leaping the fence, frightened by the growling, snarling guard dogs, and pauses for a moment, but succumbs to the tantalizing, shiny object. Over the fence, he jumps, making a mad dash for the car, valiantly trying to outrace the chained dogs.

The ad concludes with the man actually putting his finger on the phone screen, with an enticing overdubbed voice inviting folks to touch one.

Who wouldn't love this pup?

With the negative press, that Pit Bulls often receive, coupled by the outrage which the recent horror stories concerning Michael Vick and dog fighting has engendered, from where I sit the folks who created this commercial must have been out to lunch. I am happy to report that I am not alone in my dismay and disgust.

Shortly after the commercial was released, the cell company was deluged with complaints about the ad, requesting that it be withdrawn, immediately. Petitions were widely circulated on the Internet, with outraged comments abounding.

Renee Brace and the ASPCA Online Community initiated the petition. She reports in an update about the status of the commercial,

"I have just spoken with Steve Schwartzman, Executive Coordinator, who told me that the offensive ad has been pulled in all markets. Thank you to all who signed this petition and made the calls! Mr. Schwartzman was very understanding of our feelings, and admitted that they have received quite a bit of heat over this commercial. Each and every one of you made the difference."

As a group, animal lovers have a lot of power. All I have to say in conclusion is that this wireless service is responding to our concern by saying, “We hear you now."

Watch the video of the commercial, posted on You Tube, in a heartbeat.

Do you think that the bad reputation, which the Pit Bull breed, is deserved? Will this wonderful dog ever be recognized realistically? Leave a comment and let us know.