2011 Super Bowl Ads - Superbowl XLV - Motorola Super Bowl Ad Controversy

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Motorola Super Bowl Ad Controversy

Printed From: Commercials I Hate!
Category: Super Bowl Commercials
Forum Name: 2011 Super Bowl Ads - Superbowl XLV
Forum Description: All the ads from the 2011 Superbowl - Feb 6, 2011
URL: http://www.commercialsihate.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9809
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2023 at 1:42pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Motorola Super Bowl Ad Controversy

Posted By: Do Not Disconnect
Subject: Motorola Super Bowl Ad Controversy
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2011 at 8:34am

Hello,

In 2009, I shot a short film about a girl who tries to break out of a world where everyone is plugged into their headphones with no human interaction. A lot of people were excited about the concept of the film and volunteered their time to get the film made.

Then in 2011, Motorola and the Anomaly New York ad agency released their Super Bowl ad “Empower the People” with the same concept. The ending, in particular, is identical.

Both CNET and Engadget.com have since written features about the film's comparison to the Motorola advertisement. I hope you don't consider this spam. As indie filmmakers, we have no recourse but to write to blogs and message boards.

I only hope that you will please check out both works and decide for yourselves. We're not suing anybody. We just want to screen in the court of public opinion.

Here is a link to the CNET article, which features both the film and the ad:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20031643-71.html?tag=cnetRiver - Here is the Engadget article:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/filmmaker-says-motorolas-super-bowl-ad-bears-some-striking-simi/#disqus_thread -

You can view the YouTube link directly here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmRsfnZJh0c - Thank you for your time,

Michael

Replies:

Posted By: Hezadancer
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2011 at 1:00am

I'm sorry, but it's a fairly easy concept to come up with on the top of your head. I don't think they copied you in any way. We're a highly wired society and it's a hot button issue that we're not socializing enough. Try to sue? Who knows.

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It's ok, I'm in marketing!

Posted By: Ad nauseous
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2011 at 3:03am

I liked the video of the film you provided well done.

I think it was chance that Motorola used an identical idea to yours.

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One good thing about TV-you could always turn it off