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Writer’s Blurb: So, there’s this 2-year previous advertising stunt making its rounds on social media once more, with many discovering it humorous and perhaps even sensible. Personally, I instantly noticed just a few issues with it and located it to be no laughing matter.
The Fb put up that the images and assertion “Advertising degree 9999” had been pulled from was made on February 22, 2018, by a web page referred to as Pen Hitam.
It’s unclear what firm made it, as Googling
the key phrases on the advert introduced up nothing particular, and calling the quantity led
me straight to voicemail.
Nonetheless, with netizens buzzing about
it as soon as once more, I assumed I’d share my ideas on the scenario as a result of no
matter how previous it’s, some less-than-honest corporations may see the thrill as a
optimistic factor and be inspired to hold out the same advertising stunt.
However earlier than you conclude that I’m simply no enjoyable at events, listed here are my four foremost arguments about why we must be actively discouraging these sorts of adverts.
1. Clickbait In A Bodily Kind
Within the 1.5k feedback on the Fb put up,
the vast majority of folks discovered it hilarious that somebody had been tricked into
choosing up what they thought was cash.
Quite the opposite, I didn’t see what was humorous with it. I don’t agree with the way in which this advertising tactic performs on folks’s feelings in any respect. It’s clickbait in a bodily type, which many people don’t respect after we personally fall for it.
Certain, the advert itself is progressive within the sense that it’s one thing completely different from the remainder and undoubtedly attracts consideration to itself.
However for some purpose, my thoughts retains going
again to the individuals who may need needed to clear these adverts up from the streets.
These unsung heroes conserving our streets clear could belong to the lower-income bracket, at all times struggling to make ends meet.
Take into consideration how they could have picked up
the ‘cash’ pondering that their day (or perhaps even week) was made—till they
turned it over.
2. A Advertising Stunt At The Value Of The Setting
And talking of conserving our streets clear, these adverts merely add to the pile of litter we already see by the perimeters of our roads.
Picture Credit score: Pen Hitam
About 60% of 32 million Malaysians already lack the behavior of disposing their trash correctly, Housing and Native Authorities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin mentioned in January 2019.
Do you actually suppose we’d choose these adverts
as much as eliminate them correctly then? I’ll place my bets on ‘no’.
Not solely is litter ugly to have a look at, nevertheless it additionally impacts the setting in some ways.
These adverts in all probability leached poisonous printer
ink into the bottom as soon as they had been damaged down by solar and rain, and in the event that they had been
washed away, they in all probability contributed to our clogged drains.
Moreover, these adverts had been printed on
paper (that might go to waste), so add that to the listing of environmental crimes
that the corporate behind it dedicated.
three. Encouraging Malaysians To Gamble
Practically all types of playing are unlawful in
Malaysia, aside from licensed casinos and lottery providers.
On-line playing is a little more of a gray
space, however in the end, it is usually assumed to be unlawful.
However authorized or not, I’m a agency believer that
playing can solely carry misfortune. Until you’re a professional making huge bucks off competing
in poker or comparable, the chances for a mean individual will most probably not be
of their favour.
But they nonetheless do it. And adverts like these
are solely encouraging Malaysians to do it extra.
Some commenters (2 years in the past) even requested the unique poster why they didn’t blur out the quantity so that individuals wouldn’t be inclined to name it and get roped into playing.
Malaysia already has its justifiable share of social
ills, and we shouldn’t be including playing to that listing.
four. It Might Be Extra Harmful Than You Assume
I’m not speaking about the truth that
it’s encouraging playing. As an alternative, I’m pondering of the bodily hazard that
this advert might put somebody in.
Think about if the wind managed to choose up these small items of paper and fly them onto a tall ledge or into a big drain.
Some folks may discover it and suppose that
it was truly cash. They could then put themselves in a harmful scenario
the place they might fall from a peak or into the drain attempting to retrieve the ‘cash’.
Children is likely to be extra gullible to this and will run throughout a busy avenue to seize the ‘cash’, placing them proper in hurt’s method.
Picture Credit score: Pen Hitam
Sure, you would argue that I’m overthinking
it, however as Murphy’s Legislation states, “No matter can go incorrect, will go incorrect”, so such
a scenario shouldn’t be a whole impossibility.
-//-
In any case, maybe the stunt didn’t work
in addition to the corporate meant it to, since it will seem that they’re no
longer operational.
Or perhaps they acquired too many prank calls the primary time the put up went viral, and needed to swap cellphone numbers and ways.
Backside Line: What I’m actually hoping for is that the dismissive angle Malaysians are giving this deceitful advertising stunt is not going to encourage different corporations to observe in its footsteps. Let’s a minimum of attempt to be inventive and progressive in a method that wouldn’t harm the residents and the setting.
Featured Picture Credit score: Pen Hitam
