I hate that advert so much I have to change channels.

The one where the girl is crying, and gets slapped time and time and time again, faster and faster.

It's a vile, underhand form of brain-washing that's played in virtually every break.

I know it's not a good reaction, but it just makes me want to target my charity elsewhere and give Barnardo's a very wide birth.

These charity ads seem to be getting worse, I almost feel bullied by them. Is this really the best method they have of getting our support? It started with pens - here's a free pen, now send us a tenner - proceeded to free Christmas cards painted by armless unfortunates - feeling guilty cos you have two arms and some free cards? Good, now set us up a £20 direct debit - and brought us to this.

What next? Are we a decade away from charity trojans and viruses fleecing my bank account? Looped ten second security surveillance footage of a real life child screaming for his life as he's battered to death by his parents?

I give as much as I always have, but I'm beginning to be far more discerning about which charities I donate to. For all the wrong reasons.

I hate that advert so much I have to change channels.

The one where the girl is crying, and gets slapped time and time and time again, faster and faster.

It's a vile, underhand form of brain-washing that's played in virtually every break.

I know it's not a good reaction, but it just makes me want to target my charity elsewhere and give Barnardo's a very wide birth.


interesting.

whilst i have to change channels also, as i find it difficult to watch, i actually think its a really good advert.

i feel sorry for that girl, whereas if i had just seen her mugging someone, i possibly would not.

i don't know if it would change my charity-giving habits, but it has certainly educated me.

and that is a good thing.

That's an aspect of the advert I don't have a problem with - it is a good thing, obviously. It's the aggressive psychological manipulation of the viewer I have issues with.

I recall an advert some years ago - possibly for the Guardian or Independant newspaper, that conveyed a loosely similar message. A skinhead leaping on top of a granny apparently in an attempt to mug her, seen from a different angle, was revealed as an attempt to save her from falling scaffolding or masonry. See the bigger picture, and all that. Skillfully done.

Educational message apart, the mode of the message is unacceptably manipulative. The ASA shouldn't have passed this one, in my opinion. We have a choice which programmes we want to view, and can filter out emotionally disturbing imagery and content by prior programme selection. We have no choice when it comes to adverts.

That's a spot on post Wyrd, your first post on this thread. I find that advert intrusive and shocking in a way that makes me feel hostile to the charity that is broadcasting it.

Many charities are currently way out of control.

They feel that the end justifies the means, which is just wrong when the issue is compassion.

They think it is OK to broadcast this offensive stuff on mainstream TV and they also think it is OK to employ collectors with hard sell techniques wanting you to sign up for a direct debit on your doorstep. I've heard that these salesman are paid on commission, but can't confirm this.

Our charities need reigning in until they become the caring and compassionate organisations that we feel good about giving to. They have become money grabbing organisations of dubious morals who no one really trusts.

I haven't got TV [that works] anymore... so I looked on youtube, do you mean this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFOcrZeMRUU&feature=related)?


If so, I agree with the OP. I don't like this kind of advertising.

I think organisations must feel like they have to compete with the sensationalist media, to gain attention. Which is pretty sad.

...do you mean this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFOcrZeMRUU&feature=related)?

That's the one, Ash.

Be thankful you don't have a tv at the moment, it's played virtually every advertising break. I have the tv on as background noise in an empty house for much of the night. As soon as this comes on I instinctively reach for the remote control.

Have you complained about it to either Barnados or the ASA? ISTR that pester power has got adverts people found distasteful removed before now.

I know the ad you mean but I haven't really watched it properly. I remember thinking, what is this about? I'm not sure what the disjointed images are meant to convery? Confusing. It certainly didn't make me want to send them any money anyway.

Maybe they should just show us CCTV from any large shopping centre of out of control parents hammering their kids and everyone else just walking past looking shocked but not doing anything. There always seems to be threads on here about that happening.

Have you complained about it to either Barnados or the ASA? ISTR that pester power has got adverts people found distasteful removed before now.

I know the ad you mean but I haven't really watched it properly. I remember thinking, what is this about? I'm not sure what the disjointed images are meant to convery? Confusing. It certainly didn't make me want to send them any money anyway.

Maybe they should just show us CCTV from any large shopping centre of out of control parents hammering their kids and everyone else just walking past looking shocked but not doing anything. There always seems to be threads on here about that happening.

They convey - quite strongly to me - that violence breeds violence and that the cycle needs to be broken.

They convey - quite strongly to me - that violence breeds violence and that the cycle needs to be broken.And they intend to do that, how? And does it makle you want to send them money?

I understand your point, but do you know what the scenes, other than the smacking around the head one, are actually saying? I don't get the story and I don't think it works as an attempt to get us to donate.

At a cursory glance, which is all a TV ad is, I thought, she can't read, so has become a prostitute and a druggie and ended up in prison, because she was physically and verbally abused as a child. Using an adult to present the child doesn't work for me.

So as an attempt to tug our heartstrings and get our donations, it's failed. I would give to Barnados but not as a result of that particular ad, which I agree is a turn-off.

Complain here to the Advertising Standards Authority rather than on SF. It's more likely to lead to action -

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/complaints_form/

I've never complained officially about anything in my life, but this time I'm going to have my say.

Thanks for the link, Alastair.

I hate that advert too

I think its successful in that it gives a quite accurate portrayal of domestic violence/child cruelty and the repercussions it has. There is nothing pretty or heart-warming about domestic violence and child abuse so for them to 'lighten it up' I think would be doing it injustice. I can only imagine the people who object to this ad are ignorant towards it and want to carry on living in their bubble. Open your eyes, this is a serious issue that deserves everyone to be aware of even if your not going to get on the phone and make a donation, just don't ignore it and if the time comes when you are confronted by child cruelty offer the right support and contact the right people.

I think it's a superb advert. To me it's brought what Barnado's does completely up to date.

When I think of child abuse and cruelty only the NSPCC (the green full stop campaign) and Children in Need come to mind.

If this advert reminds people there is another than needs help then that's only a good thing.

Unfortunately it's FAR too subtle to get through to the target audience. If you read comments about it posted on various sites, the target audience seem to find it highly amusing and you get plenty of vile comments about how funny they find it.

It's just an endless loop of violence and a 'ho' getting beaten up to many, so it's not a good ad at all, to my mind.

However, that ad where the teens get hunted by riflemen was really, really good - especially when you learn the script was taken directly from comments made about teens on sites just like this! The shame! :mad:

Who are the target audience? It's not at all clear why they are showing the advert and what they are advertising. It certainly makes me think less of Barnardos as an organisation that they have the arrogance to use shock tactics in their adverts.

It certainly makes me think less of Barnardos as an organisation that they have the arrogance to use shock tactics in their adverts.

Shock tactics? So would you rather the Bernardos whip up a fantastical story of a young girl at her garden party not receiving that pony she pined for since she rode one at her friends manor in the school holidays?

The fact is that child abuse in its nature is shocking and it is rife in society. The ad depicts the true horror of child abuse and its ramifications. I guess the truth is just too much for some people to accept.

The fact is that child abuse in its nature is shocking and it is rife in society. The ad depicts the true horror of child abuse and its ramifications. I guess the truth is just too much for some people to accept.


I fully accept the truth of how horrific child abuse is, it conveys that very well. But we turn on television to be entertained as well as informed, and don't invite these high emotional response adverts in. If I wanted "the truth" I'd tune into Panorama.

It's like charity callers to your house. Occassional visits by the same body are fine - easy to deal with, unobtrusive. But if they visited every half an hour to ask for money and played me audio of kids being abused over and over and over again, it would be an intrusion and overly manipulative.

My friend's sister simply can't cope with hearing the audio of this advert - she lost her husband early in the year, and is finding the approach of Christmas very tough. You can see her face screw up and the tears well in her eyes when the audio reaches its peak - it's simply too emotionally charged for her to handle whilst she's so sensitive. She should be allowed to enjoy Christmas tv according to her programme choices without being subjected to the pain that advert causes her every single commercial break. And the trouble is, it's obviouly raised the bar of what is acceptable in charity advertising. Next year's Bernardo's ad will have to crank up the imagery and content to get the same response next year. Can you imagine every single advert break next year filled with charites competing with each other for shock value next Christmas?

I think its successful in that it gives a quite accurate portrayal of domestic violence/child cruelty and the repercussions it has. There is nothing pretty or heart-warming about domestic violence and child abuse so for them to 'lighten it up' I think would be doing it injustice. I can only imagine the people who object to this ad are ignorant towards it and want to carry on living in their bubble. Open your eyes, this is a serious issue that deserves everyone to be aware of even if your not going to get on the phone and make a donation, just don't ignore it and if the time comes when you are confronted by child cruelty offer the right support and contact the right people.

totally agree tom

I think its successful in that it gives a quite accurate portrayal of domestic violence/child cruelty and the repercussions it has. There is nothing pretty or heart-warming about domestic violence and child abuse so for them to 'lighten it up' I think would be doing it injustice. I can only imagine the people who object to this ad are ignorant towards it and want to carry on living in their bubble. Open your eyes, this is a serious issue that deserves everyone to be aware of even if your not going to get on the phone and make a donation, just don't ignore it and if the time comes when you are confronted by child cruelty offer the right support and contact the right people.

and how's throwing money at a charity that will probably blow it all on admin costs and hiring chuggers going to stop child abuse?

and how's throwing money at a charity that will probably blow it all on admin costs and hiring chuggers going to stop child abuse?

I wouldn't know, because I don't donate and I doubt I will :thumbsup:

See...

Open your eyes, this is a serious issue that deserves everyone to be aware of even if your not going to get on the phone and make a donation, just don't ignore it and if the time comes when you are confronted by child cruelty offer the right support and contact the right people.



That doesn't mean to say I cannot appreciate the sentiment of the ad.

I hate that advert so much I have to change channels.

The one where the girl is crying, and gets slapped time and time and time again, faster and faster.

It's a vile, underhand form of brain-washing that's played in virtually every break.

I know it's not a good reaction, but it just makes me want to target my charity elsewhere and give Barnardo's a very wide birth.

These charity ads seem to be getting worse, I almost feel bullied by them. Is this really the best method they have of getting our support? It started with pens - here's a free pen, now send us a tenner - proceeded to free Christmas cards painted by armless unfortunates - feeling guilty cos you have two arms and some free cards? Good, now set us up a £20 direct debit - and brought us to this.

What next? Are we a decade away from charity trojans and viruses fleecing my bank account? Looped ten second security surveillance footage of a real life child screaming for his life as he's battered to death by his parents?

I give as much as I always have, but I'm beginning to be far more discerning about which charities I donate to. For all the wrong reasons.

I can't even look at the tele when that awful advert is on, if i aint got the remote i have to put my fingers in my ears and shut my eyes until it as gone off.

It makes me *shudder*. To think people have that to put up with.

I love how people are complaining that they can't handle the advert. How would you like to be in the shoes of the girl in the film? It's not just about getting people's donations, it's about spreading a message and getting people to understand the world they live in and what they can live so blindly alongside.

I love how people are complaining that they can't handle the advert. How would you like to be in the shoes of the girl in the film? It's not just about getting people's donations, it's about spreading a message and getting people to understand the world they live in and what they can live so blindly alongside.

I'm not sure complaining is the right word Sketty.

My last paragraph on my first post (post#5 I think) sums it up for me. Much of the post that preceded mine [by Alastair], I agree with too.

Well, it seems such a small thing to have issue with, compared to the meaning of the advert, you know? It's a hard topic to portray, and needs to be hard hitting. I don't mean to sound like I'm dismissing people's dislike to it, I'm not, because you're supposed to react this way.

(I'm an advertising student, so if I seem opinionated, it's only because I'm used to discussing this stuff with my friends. :hihi:)

Well, it seems such a small thing to have issue with, compared to the meaning of the advert, you know? It's a hard topic to portray, and needs to be hard hitting. I don't mean to sound like I'm dismissing people's dislike to it, I'm not, because you're supposed to react this way.

(I'm an advertising student, so if I seem opinionated, it's only because I'm used to discussing this stuff with my friends. :hihi:)

Ahh..the cat's out of the bag now... in fact before I even realised there was a bag. (or a cat for that matter).:hihi:

I don't think it's a small thing to have an issue with. It's a horrible advert.
I know what goes on in the world, I don't want to see it repeated over and over (though, as I mentioned, my TV is bust, so I'm taking the OP that it is shown regularly). I would rather see an advert that shows what my money would go towards.

I'll admit, I've only seen it once, and I cringed and disliked it, but at the same time, appreciated the creators for their balls to take such a route. It's obviously making people take notice, and that's what they want. It's got mentioned in newspapers and we're discussing it here. Don't think advertisers don't take all that into account when we design adverts. We're sly. :hihi:

I'll admit, I've only seen it once, and I cringed and disliked it, but at the same time, appreciated the creators for their balls to take such a route. It's obviously making people take notice, and that's what they want. It's got mentioned in newspapers and we're discussing it here. Don't think advertisers don't take all that into account when we design adverts. We're sly. :hihi:
Funny how views differ. I love discussion about things, hence posting in here. (it gives people who I bore shi tl ess in real life a break too:hihi:)

My bold. You know, I don't think they have to have balls to do this.

I think they sat in a boardroom and had a discussion and thought that 'severe shock tactics' would work for this campaign. Simple. It's worked before, but from a different angle. That's where I see a difference.

I'd be very interested in the results of their donation figures after it. Not because I think I'm right, but because I wonder whether this is how people want to be told things. (kind of like the recent 'campaigns' by The Sun:rolleyes:).

Of course, I'm only one person, but I most certainly wouldn't make an effort to donate to Barnardo's based on this advertising campaign.

I'll admit, I've only seen it once, and I cringed and disliked it, but at the same time, appreciated the creators for their balls to take such a route. It's obviously making people take notice, and that's what they want. It's got mentioned in newspapers and we're discussing it here. Don't think advertisers don't take all that into account when we design adverts. We're sly. :hihi:

In both cases, for the right or wrong reasons?

As I said, I'll be interested if it's possible to see the donation figures.

I think they sat in a boardroom and had a discussion and thought that 'severe shock tactics' would work for this campaign.

There's a lot more to it than that, honestly. They would have got through hundreds of ideas before even reaching this final choice. At university, as we do this alone, we only do a fraction of a real team's work, and I can easily produce 100 + ideas.

It is a hard hitting advert that does it's job. Well, we are discussing it here, arent we?! I have seen it several times, and although I dont find it pleasant viewing, I appreciate the message that they are trying to get across. Suppose they could have produced a watered down version, but it wouldnt have evoked such emotion and what would be the point in that.