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Too Much Free Time

by Mike Masnick

Wed, Mar 24th 2010 6:35am




Filed Under:
south africa, trademark, world cup

Companies:
fifa, kulula


Kulula Responds To FIFA Legal Threats With Hilarious Clarifying Ad

from the this-is-not-an-ad-about-the-world-cup dept

In response to our post about FIFA threatening Kulula airlines in South Africa over its advertisment jokingly declaring itself the "unofficial national carrier of the 'you-know-what'," JJ sends over the news that Kulula has put together a new ad that looks similar to the old ad, but which changes the text to the even more ambiguous: "Not Next Year, Not Last Year, But Somewhere in Between" to avoid saying the dreaded "2010." The artwork in the ad is similar to the original, but clarifies that each thing that you might interpret as being about the World Cup is actually about something else. For example, the vuvuzelas (horns) are "definitely, definitely golf tees" and the guy who looks like he might be playing football is actually just a "man putting his right foot in, his right foot out and shaking it all about." Small versions are below, but be sure to click through for the larger versions:
Original ad


Latest ad

14 Comments | Leave a Comment

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(Flattened / Threaded)

  •  
    identicon
    Johnny Canada, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 7:30am

    2010

    How can FIFA use the term "2010" I thought the OIC has the Trademark, Pattent, Copywrite and all out ownership of "2010"

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Wesha, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 7:31am

    Now Kulula definitely knows how to embrace Streizand Effect...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    icon
    mjb5406 (profile), Mar 24th, 2010 @ 7:31am

    FIFA will find something to complain about

    I bet FIFA will say the combination of "we", "wouldn't", "dare" and "mention" is also ambush marketing.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    icon
    Dark Helmet (profile), Mar 24th, 2010 @ 7:39am

    Troublemakers...

    You know, you just have to love a business that doesn't take itself or the bristling blowhards of the world to seriously. Honestly, why can't more company execs and corporate marketing departments figure out how endearing this type of behavior is?

    In fact, I happen to believe that part of the reason that the American public views the alcohol producers so differently than the cigerette producers is this type of behavior. Half the commercials and marketing efforts make fun of either the product, how it's viewed, or even their own customers....and we LOVE them for it!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Derek, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 7:40am

    The way forward

    This is how we can put these stodgy, over-lawyered Frankencorps in their place -- humor. Embarass the fsck out of them, let them flail away while we chuckle, eventually we'll watch 'em sink into irrelevance.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    DCX2, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 8:04am

    lol

    "we can likes to disco"

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    icon
    REM(RND) (profile), Mar 24th, 2010 @ 8:29am

    I have a dream...

    Of a world where FIFA continuously sues Kulula until they can but put a single word on a poster, but everyone will know. Then they won't be allowed to use words and will insert a single picture, but everyone will know. Then they won't be allowed to use pictures and will use a blank space, but everyone will know. Then some judge will actually look at what's going on, say "What the f...!?!", and begin the campaign for putting a stop to this bullshtick.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 9:00am

    FIFA to go even farther

    FIFA to sue the estates of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson to prevent use of FI FIE FOE FUM in the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, also they object to use of gold egg laying goose which they have patented.

    In a relates suit the NFL going after the use of a Giant in an attempt to protect their trademark. They are also considering suing God for his use of giants in the bible.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Any Mouse, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 9:36am

    You have to love the 'short-sighted baby' in the new add, and then start to wonder if they are suggesting something, here.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    trilobug, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 9:58am

    Goooooaaaal!

    Bravo Kulula.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Jacob Zuma, Mar 24th, 2010 @ 10:35am

    FIFA Needs to Cahnge Focus

    Hang on a sec, I think FIFA is just trying to stop them from claiming that they are the "World's Cup official airline" ... which Kulula isn't.

    Still, the whole thing is silly and the ad is funny.

    Too bad FIFA couldn't focus their attention to the complaining, whining, unethical Italian team, then we would have real progress. 2010 ... ABI.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Individual Health Insurance, Jun 18th, 2010 @ 12:34pm

    So funny!

    This is really funny! I like that rather than getting huffy or completely scrapping a good idea, they made a joke of it and turned it into an even more eye-catching ad. They'll certainly get more viewers because of this. Well played.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    BYO Swing Set, Dec 13th, 2011 @ 8:38am

    All in good fun; yes; ethical no.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]


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