Think like a driver or think like a cyclist?

[ColinJ]

I was out for a little ride this afternoon and spotted a huge strange-looking billboard poster ahead of me. I wondered what it was showing...

As I got closer, I saw that it was a picture of a pedestrian who had been hit by a car and was still flying through the air. The text on the advert reassured worried witnesses that the driver would have no problems - "It's okay - I'm with the AA". Phew - no problem with the car repairs and legal costs when sued for damages then!

I was sufficiently indignant that I stopped to take a picture of the poster...

It took me some time to realise that the poster is actually supposed to show a car being attacked by a crazed wrestler!

Am I being over-sensitive, or is that poster just a wee bit tone deaf?

 

[Drago]

I'm not in the AA. Does that mean I have to wait 7 hours for an ambulance?

 

[Gillstay]

I think your on the more correct side. The AA I realised a while ago is only interested in cars as all cyclists and motorcyclists also drive cars in their eyes. So possibly they think the same of pedestrians.

 

[All uphill]

I was out for a little ride this afternoon and spotted a huge strange-looking billboard poster ahead of me. I wondered what it was showing...

As I got closer, I saw that it was a picture of a pedestrian who had been hit by a car and was still flying through the air. The text on the advert reassured worried witnesses that the driver would have no problems - "It's okay - I'm with the AA". Phew - no problem with the car repairs and legal costs when sued for damages then!

I was sufficiently indignant that I stopped to take a picture of the poster...

View attachment 701699

It took me some time to realise that the poster is actually supposed to show a car being attacked by a crazed wrestler!

Am I being over-sensitive, or is that poster just a wee bit tone deaf?

I saw this the same way you did.

I can imagine a group of creatives dreaming this up and missing the vital check of showing it to somebody with well developed critical faculties for their thoughts.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I was out for a little ride this afternoon and spotted a huge strange-looking billboard poster ahead of me. I wondered what it was showing...

As I got closer, I saw that it was a picture of a pedestrian who had been hit by a car and was still flying through the air. The text on the advert reassured worried witnesses that the driver would have no problems - "It's okay - I'm with the AA". Phew - no problem with the car repairs and legal costs when sued for damages then!

I was sufficiently indignant that I stopped to take a picture of the poster...

View attachment 701699

It took me some time to realise that the poster is actually supposed to show a car being attacked by a crazed wrestler!

Am I being over-sensitive, or is that poster just a wee bit tone deaf?

Yes definitely a wrestler attacking the car, what that has got to with the AA repairing cars I haven't a clue.

 

[Slick]

I was out for a little ride this afternoon and spotted a huge strange-looking billboard poster ahead of me. I wondered what it was showing...

As I got closer, I saw that it was a picture of a pedestrian who had been hit by a car and was still flying through the air. The text on the advert reassured worried witnesses that the driver would have no problems - "It's okay - I'm with the AA". Phew - no problem with the car repairs and legal costs when sued for damages then!

I was sufficiently indignant that I stopped to take a picture of the poster...

View attachment 701699

It took me some time to realise that the poster is actually supposed to show a car being attacked by a crazed wrestler!

Am I being over-sensitive, or is that poster just a wee bit tone deaf?

I think that is a shoot advert as I thought the same as you.

Yes I'm a reluctant driver but I really do hate driving anywhere now and I reckon I not only think like a cyclist but drive like one too now.

 

[Paulus]

Looking at the poster, as a driver passing by would, so just a glimpse, I took it as "it's ok I'm with the AA" if I hit a pedestrian and send them flying through the air.

 

[Cycleops]

I think the AA need to change their advertising agency.

 

[ColinJ]

I have been thinking more about this...

I am wondering whether the advertising agency actually designed the ad so drivers would think it was about protecting themselves if they hit a pedestrian, but made the flying pedestrian an attacking wrestler so that they could claim innocence if challenged and say it was a bit of a joke?

 

[Slick]

I have been thinking more about this...

I am wondering whether the advertising agency actually designed the ad so drivers would think it was about protecting themselves if they hit a pedestrian, but made the flying pedestrian an attacking wrestler so that they could claim innocence if challenged and say it was a bit of a joke?

Sounds a bit closer to the truth.

 

[Jameshow]

Get in contact with the AA and see what they say....

Lots of insensitive ads / quotes out there ..

"Adventure before dementia" comes to mind!!

Imagine Adventure before cancer or MS / MND!!

 

[Bollo]

I suspect it’s related to this ad campaign, where motorists suffer increasingly unlikely mishaps, the poor loves.

Sample here…

View: https://youtu.be/A-mDmuktdbY


But yeah, even a non-casual glance suggests the AA will have your back if you hit a ped.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

It took me some time to realise that the poster is actually supposed to show a car being attacked by a crazed wrestler!

I thought it was the owner's car jumping in the air for the joy of being with the AA
Imo the guy is not a wrestler, they don't jump, do they?
He's also not meant to be an accident victim, too a happy facial expression.
We really should ask the AA what their advert means

 

[a.twiddler]

Train of thought -a man is flying through the air next to a car. Firstly, has he been hit by it?, Secondly, unlikely, as there's nobody in it. Thirdly, it says "AA" on the board. Fourthly, does that mean that the AA now does a no win no fee insurance scheme for members involved in bizarre accidents involving unattended vehicles if eg a handbrake fails and a vehicle hits them at speed sending them flying? I don't know what the scene meant to whatever focus group the advertising bods tried it out on, but nothing immediately springs to mind to me.

Could it be that motorists as a group are encouraged to see themselves as victims and need the AA to protect them from the horrors that life throws at them? Perhaps the wild hairy man is a symbol that represents all the fearsome hazards out there, cyclists, lorries, little old ladies, other motorists. Back to the drawing board for the AA I think.

 

[ColinJ]

I suspect it’s related to this ad campaign, where motorists suffer increasingly unlikely mishaps, the poor loves.

Ah - I don't generally see TV ad campaigns because I use record-and-skip to miss the ad breaks on commercial channels!