Sunday, January 10, 2016

Hawks and Hornets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwmRMCC1L7A


State Farm recently created a series of commercials about a family known as "The Hoopers" which features famous NBA basketball players Chris Paul, Deandre Jordan, Kevin Love, Kevin Garnett, and Damian Lillard.  Each of basketball player is portrayed as a particular member of the family (Chris Paul is the dad; Deandre Jordan is the mother; Kevin Love is the son; Kevin Garnett is the grandpa; and Damian Lillard is the baby). One of the more prominent advertising techniques used is Testimonial because all of the actors are NBA superstars.

Most of us have had that awkward conversation about the "birds and the bees" with our parents, otherwise referred to as a conversation about sex. This particular State Farm commercial makes a spoof out of about this uncomfortable coming of age conversation. The "Hawks and Hornets" commercial focuses on Chris Paul and Kevin Love.

Overall, the commercial is extremely hilarious and witty. Chris approaches his son Kevin and tells him that he noticed he is starting to grow up. Chris tells him that he has been acting like a "cavalier." It was very clever to use the word "cavalier" because it has a double meaning. On the one hand, "cavalier" in this case means somewhat wild and uncaring; this is the attitude typically stereotyped about how most teenagers act. On the other hand, the word "Cavalier" is used because Kevin Love in real life plays for the basketball team Cleveland Cavaliers. Another example of wit being used, is the title of the book Chris wants to read to Kevin. The book is called "Hawks and Hornets" which is a phrase that has a double meaning. The book title is really just a satire of the "birds and the bees" conversation. It is also in reference to two NBA teams: Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets, both of which are in the same conference

The ad gets high marks for creativity but I wonder how effective it is.  This is because the product that is being endorsed is overwhelmed by the content of the ad.

2 comments:

  1. Hahahaha I love this commercial! I think it is very clever and funny as you pointed out, and it certainly appeals to anybody who is a fan of basketball and can relate to this type of humor. I also definitely agree with you on the fact that the product being advertised is somewhat hidden within the commercial. In fact, I didn't realize it was a State Farm advertisement until the very end when I saw the State Farm logo, and even then I didn't quite see the connection. Well done DannyBoi ;)

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  2. I agree that the commercial is so witty! I have observed that commercials these days are becoming so superficial! this one was different and fun

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