Last year, SalesGenie.com was selected by just about everyone with a heartbeat for having the least creative, cheesiest Super Bowl in like, forever. For your review:
Yipes. That ad barely belonged on television, let alone the Super Bowl. But SalesGenie wasn’t in it for the branding, they were in it to drive their own sales, and they exceeded all their goals for the ad.
All of a sudden, SalesGenie looks like the smartest guy in the room. Is cheesy irresponsible? I don’t think so, especially when you have a cheesy brand.
On the heels of last year’s success, SalesGenie was at it again and this year they upped the ante. Two Super Bowl ads: both animated, both working a multicultural marketing angle. Sounds promising. Check ‘em out:
Ummmm….okay. The multicultural angle has backfired, big time. Traditional media and the blogosphere are abuzz and the word ‘racist’ has popped up more than once.
Time gave the ad an “F” grade and said:
Salesgenie.com wants to give you 100 free sales leads — and all you have to do in return is subject yourself to some mild racial stereotyping! A put-upon sales rep named “Ramesh,” with seven kids and the thickest Indian accent this side of the Kwik-E-Mart, is saved from certain termination by the leads. Maybe it’s actually a subtle political commentary on outsourcing.
Somehow, SalesGenie found a way to make last year’s ads look pretty good. What do you think?
