Hey Pepto Bismol what were you thinking?
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008I’m a dog lover (ok more like fanatic) so I was naturally drawn to the new Pepto tv ad featuring the woman who’s sitting with her boxer sprawled across her lap while talking on the phone.
It becomes clear, almost immediately, that she is talking to the Pepto Bismol “help desk” about Rex’s problem of over indulgence. She lists an abundance of edible evils, at the root of the problem, and ends with dog treats, of course. The guy on the other end of the line proceeds to explain that Pepto does not treat animals – because he, as does the viewer, believes that her poor dog Rex has a tummy ache.
But no, ha ha, this is when the camera pulls back to reveal a tummy clutching man lying on the nearby couch as our protagonist explains that her dog’s name is Charlie and hopeless glutton Rex is her husband. Cute. Good for a quick chuckle. But at what price Pepto?
Why on earth would you spend good money to tell the whole world that you don’t treat animals when you absolutely do treat them? My vet prescribes a good dose of Pepto for the gastrointestinal tribulations of all three of my dogs. In fact my dogs take Pepto far more often than their humans. Where are your marketing people? Seems like they’re having some trouble thinking outside the litter box (ok that was a cheap shot).
Hey Pepto – give us a shot at marketing your pink tablets to pet owners. But you’ll have to retire that tv spot or risk confusing a burgeoning segment of your audience.