What was Nissan Thinking?
Posted By RichC on October 18, 2005
Japanese auto maker Nissan Motor Company revived the tune for a TV ad promoting its Titan trucks — it is a song from a 1957 film “The Bridge on the River Kwai” known as “Colonel Bogey’s March.” In this film allied prisoners of war, forced to build a bridge for their Japanese captors who continually whistled this distinctive melody. (listen)
Wisely Nissan has decided to remove the ad, or at least the music but hasn’t decided what music will be used instead. You have to wonder what Omnicom Group Inc was thinking when they portrayed a line of vehicles moving in parade-like fashion to this toon. The car maker did say that it has received fewer than 10 complaints since the spot started airing in late September, but one has to wonder “what were they thinking? ”
Advertisers are always looking for a song with a great beat that snares audience attention … no doubt this song has that, but IMHO picking a musical theme that rekindle negative Japanese memories was not a very bright idea.
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