# Sony ad execs have killed their last brain cell **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 9, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085 "2006-06-09T17:43:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/21 "2006-06-10T02:04:12Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] Gals want a picture, sound, and a remote with power, volume up/down, channel up/down. And about 5 channels max. [/QUOTE] Correct me if I’m wrong here, but most TV’s, once set up, are simple enough even for women\* to use. A power button, an up button, a down button, and a volume up and a volume down. What’s so fucking hard? \*I say “for women” in terms of these idiotic ad execs that are marketing TV’s for both men and women ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/22 "2006-06-10T02:34:16Z")
_QED:_ > [@](#): > > I saw one the other day that grated my nerves. It was for some super-duper “cuts anything” knife. They showed it cutting through the usual suspects: wood, tile, brick…and a padlock. A padlock! They might as well have tossed in the tagline, “Buy this, thieves! Don’t let those pesky locks keep you from that shiny new bicycle!” Idiots. I really don’t get what you’re upset about. If the knife can really cut through a padlock, that’s pretty damned impressive; why wouldn’t you use that fact in an advertisement? Do you object to ads for boltcutters as well? Do you remember the brand name? I want one of those things. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/23 "2006-06-10T02:44:23Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] A TV for men and women makes perfect sense to me. It comes with a giant remote and gets 4000 channels. All of them Lifetime. [/QUOTE] Maybe it makes sympathetic, interested sounding noises in response to nearby voices… and vibrates when you sit on it. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/24 "2006-06-10T03:55:46Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] I don’t know what you’re complaining about. I think it’s rather neat that Sony makes a bisexual televison set. [/QUOTE] You know that some techno-geek somewhere will be trying to work out how to make television/television porn now you’ve put that idea out there, right? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/25 "2006-06-10T04:06:49Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] Not really; male skin is thicker and tougher; female skin has a finer texture. [/QUOTE] For purposes of topical products, they’re the same. I’ve never seen any studies which say that women are more prone to skin allergies than men-- both seem to show an equal sensitivity. I’m not so sure the products are all that different, scents aside. A casual glance at my husband’s deodorant and mine show the same ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/26 "2006-06-10T06:05:34Z")
Like any person even remotely connected to Sony ever had one… ---
**Author:** ![rinni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rinni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rinni)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/27 "2006-06-10T09:07:28Z")
We don’t have a TV. We have a Benq projector (which can be hooked up to digital cable, gaming consoles or PC) and a screen, onto which the projector… projects. What gender do you suppose THAT is? ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/28 "2006-06-10T10:37:58Z")
[QUOTE=amarinth] A few years ago Secret deoderant/anti-perspirant which had been “Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman” changed to “Strong enough for a woman.” Which was cool. Now, it’s “Strong enough for \.” So, less interesting, unless you know whoever their celebrity spokesperson is. [/QUOTE] It’s not even that. The way that tagline is worded, it sounds like the celebrity spokesperson isn’t entirely female. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/29 "2006-06-10T17:24:53Z")
[QUOTE=rinni] We don’t have a TV. We have a Benq projector (which can be hooked up to digital cable, gaming consoles or PC) and a screen, onto which the projector… projects. What gender do you suppose THAT is? [/QUOTE] Sounds like the Panasonic Ejaculato5000. Clearly male. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/30 "2006-06-10T17:36:12Z")
[QUOTE=Baldwin] Do you object to ads for boltcutters as well? [/quote] I’ve never seen a TV commercial for boltcutters. Sure, it’s impressive if the thing can actually cut through a case-hardened lock shackle, but giving ideas to impressionable young future thieves is a bit much, IMO. I’d also object to a gun ad showing how much easier bank robbery was. [QUOTE=Baldwin] Do you remember the brand name? I want one of those things. [/QUOTE] I couldn’t remember it when I originally posted, but I’ve seen it again, since. It’s called the “MXZ Saw”. One of those “only available through this TV offer” kind of deals for $19.95; so you know what kind of quality to expect. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/31 "2006-06-10T18:15:00Z")
[QUOTE=soul radiation] The commercial climaxes with both the man and woman staring at the same tv. then the catchline “A television for men _and_ women.” Huh? [/QUOTE] I find that commercial rather amusing, and you’re leaving off the payoff. The tag is “A! Television! For! Men! And! Women! TRADEMARK!” They know it’s hyperbolic. They know it’s ridiculous, thus the ending of it with the huge “TRADEMARK!” with more punch than the rest of the slogan. And you must admit that it worked, at least on you. You remember the company and the brand name. Plus, the guy in the commercial is really hot. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/32 "2006-06-10T18:48:26Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] I’ve never seen a TV commercial for boltcutters. Sure, it’s impressive if the thing can actually cut through a case-hardened lock shackle, but giving ideas to impressionable young future thieves is a bit much, IMO. I’d also object to a gun ad showing how much easier bank robbery was. I couldn’t remember it when I originally posted, but I’ve seen it again, since. It’s called the “MXZ Saw”. One of those “only available through this TV offer” kind of deals for $19.95; so you know what kind of quality to expect. [/QUOTE] I repeat, since you ignored it the first time, anybody who decides to become a criminal by taking an hour or two to cut through a lock with a knife will have a very short life of crime. You are harping on obviously absurdist hyperbole. There is nothing easy about cutting through a lock, not even with a hacksaw. Anybody with any sort of ambition toward success will use boltcutters or the like. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2006, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/33 "2006-06-12T11:57:49Z")
[QUOTE=QED] Sure, it’s impressive if the thing can actually cut through a case-hardened lock shackle, but giving ideas to impressionable young future thieves is a bit much, IMO. [/QUOTE] You’ve obviously never tried to prepare breaded padlock medallions. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2006, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/34 "2006-06-12T12:20:00Z")
1. Someone who wants to start his/her life of crime stealing bicycles probably a) doesn’t have a credit card and b) wouldn’t buy a knife for the job from a TV commercial. And c)probably already has bolt-cutters, because using a knife to get through a padlock is blatantly stupid. Not that thieves can’t be stupid; I’m figuring after 10 minutes of trying to saw through a padlock, they’ll probably give up. This: > [@](#): > > I’ve never seen a TV commercial for boltcutters…giving ideas to impressionable young future thieves is a bit much is one of the stupidest things I’ve read this year, and I sometimes read E! Online. 1. Haven’t seen the ad (don’t watch TV) but I sincerely hope Otto’s interpretation is the right one. Intellectually it seems likely, because some marketing execs are finally realizing that “OMG men are this way and women are another way, isn’t that hilarious?” doesn’t work as well as it used to. 2. Which is why I hope that the people in this thread making “men are this way women are that way!” jokes are being ironic. 3. Re: “strong enough for XY…made for XX” ads: I never actually believed that there was a different chemical composition of sweat which made the powerful ingredients of blah blah resonate to the right wavelength to blah blah female male yaddeh. I always figured it ACTUALLY meant: “Smells like baby powder instead of musk.” ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2006, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/35 "2006-06-12T15:19:53Z")
1. You also need to cut through a padlock when you’ve lost the damn key! This only happens to me maybe once in three months… I need me some boltcutters. 2. I always assumed (insofar as I thought about it) that the Secret ad referred to the fact that way more women shave their underarms than do men. Shaving does tend to leave skin a tad more sensitive. Plus, of course, it stinks good. 3. I agree that the Sony ad has succeeded in that you remember both the ad and the brand. But then, I’ve never understood most advertising - who would buy their stuff based on “Oh, they have great ads!”? My views may well be outdated, but if I’m willing to spend money for video quality, I buy Sony. If that’s not as much of a priority as saving money, I try for the most reliable at the best price via things like Consumer Reports. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/36 "2006-06-12T16:38:30Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] Plus, the guy in the commercial is really hot. [/QUOTE] Adam Sandler? Or is there another ad for this TV that doesn’t contain a promotional tie-in for Sony’s latest film as well? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/37 "2006-06-12T19:04:23Z")
[QUOTE=mobo85] Adam Sandler? [/QUOTE] No! Ew, thank you so much for that mental picture! ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/38 "2006-06-12T20:14:42Z")
Well, the only ad for the Bravia I’ve seen features a clip from Sandler’s upcoming Sony picture _Click_ where he goes back in time to figure out what song was playing when he and wife first met, then goes into how Bravia is the first TV for men and women. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085/39 "2006-06-12T21:21:49Z")
[QUOTE=Lissa] I’ve always hated those commercials which swear their product is strong enough for male use, but is specially formulated for the delicate skin of women. Skin is skin. [/QUOTE] Due to hormonal influences, women’s skin is not quite the same as a man’s skin; I have watched skin soften over months due to homonal influence. So there are differences, but those commercials are still stupid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-ad-execs-have-killed-their-last-brain-cell/360085.md?page=1)