Does anyone else find it interesting that Verizon was the first carrier to start running "negative" ads? I'm not disputing the facts or views in the ads, just the fact that they are truly the first really "attack ads" that I have seen from a wireless carrier. Verizon to me always seemed like the company that let it's network and customer service do all the talking - to me these negative ads are somewhat of a disappointment - I seriously hope they don't start a round of every carrier bashing each other.
...
This isn't a political campaign with the "vote for me because I dont have half the slime as plooky" ads. Not sure why pointing out in a very creative way that you have an advantage over a major competitor is a negative thing.
...
Its not so much the message itself in the ads, its the tone of the ads. They seem more focused on pointing out ATT's flaws than touting Verizon's advantages (BTW - I am specifically referring to the misfit toys commercial)
...
What a surpirse.
You have been a homer for some time now!
...
Come on dude.
That commercial is sheer genious. If AT&T had done that over say T-Mobile (or over Verizon if the roles were reversed) I would think the same exact thing.
At what point is this just sour grapes for some of you. At what point do you chalk it up to some very good advertising minds striking gold. If and when AT&T gets their ad agency to create something original, funny and powerful I will bow to their creative expertise.
Relax.
...
I'm all for creative and funny ads - there are plenty of them out there that get their point across w/o going down that road. If ATT had come out with an ad that was "sheer genious" but spent the whole thing attacking Verizon i would be on here saying the same thing. Has nothing to do with "sour grapes" as you would call them, just simply my opinion.
- I loved the T-Mobile ad where the dad tells the daughter to get uglier friends after her brother adds her friends to his "circle"
- i thought the Alltel ads with Chad did a great job conveying other carriers weaknesses in a subtle, yet funny way, while also promoting Alltel's benefits
...
So you are ok with Alltel ads which certainly point out other's failures but not Verizon pointing out AT&T's failures?
...
The i-Trashcan has been very useful for AT&T to grow its subscriber base. The problem is that most sheep using said device have no clue that there are other viable options out there. They also have no clue that AT&T is inferior until they try to make a call between 5:00 and 6:30. I don't care for Verizon, but they are pointing out a superior network to the sheep who like to use the i-Trashcan. Can't blame them for trying to win back customers.
...
What's an i-Trashcan? Certainly not your lame attempt at giving the iphone an insulting nickname. By the way, we're all sheep, simply bleating a different sound depending on what carrier we're with. If you think about it, each of the carriers have herded us into different flocks. You're not any less sheepish than the next person, though you may have been brainwashed into thinking so.
"Four legs good, two legs bad."
...
Nice Orwell reference.
...
Thanks, Azeron. Glad someone recognized it.
...
FreddNov 25, 2009, 11:32 AM
All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.
Could substitute "wireless carriers" for "animals", and you end up with the attitude many in here have.
...
"You're not any less sheepish than the next person, though you may have been brainwashed into thinking so."
I use Sprint on my personal lines and Metro for my business. I have no loyalty to any one carrier or any one line of handsets. I've watched what the i-Trashcan has done to the AT&T network and most observers see the same. As a result, AT&T isn't a provider I can use.
...
"I use Sprint on my personal lines and Metro for my business."
Ah, so you are a sheep that hops over two sides of the fence.
"I have no loyalty to any one carrier or any one line of handsets."
Then it makes sense that you're a Sprint customer, since they tend to abandon ship more often than others. If you're going to make anymore trashcan comparisons, look to your own personal wireless provider. Consistently higher churn rates and terrible CS equates to a trashy company. Right now, Sprint has nothing on AT&T or Verizon which is why they're desperately trying to keep/win back customers. So before you start dogging any other company's handset (iphone, droid, et al) make sure that your own provider has legitimized itself by climbing ou...
(continues)
...
Island of misfit toys simply SHOWS a map. Some of the Alltel commercials were a lot more abrasive and I had no problem with any of them. AT&T is on the right track now. Focus on the things their 3G CAN do and Verizon can't. Less whining and more slamming... Now! Fight!
...
Not trying to start an argument here, just simply stating an opinion - I thought that was what these online forums were for 🙄
...
There is nothing wrong with a healthy debate. I enjoy being entertained. Keep up the good work!
...
TMobile's ads are great, too! It's all just good advertising. People really need to lighten up.
...
Who watches commericals anyways. Thats why god created DVR.
...
I have not watched a normal commercial in years with two exceptions:
Super Bowl
AT&T and Verizon Wireless ads
I want to make sure I know what others are seeing just in case.
DVRs are gods gift to modern man for sure.
...
I agree. Great commercial. It made me laugh out loud - sheer advertising genius. And that's the point of advertising - to get people talking, laughing, paying ATTENTION. Good job Verizon.
...
I like the adds about Att's 3g netwrok, quite amusing to say the least. Verizon can see that Att's churn is lower than theirs for the first time in a long time or maybe ever. Theyalso knows that Att has spent record amounts of money on wireless networks this year. Why not focus on the lack of coverage area of Att. They should take it a step further with price comparisons because I do see some of their phones are cheaper than competitors. I think the map alone is not going to make the average user switch. Especially if you have a problem with your carrier as a whole(some people actually don't have problems with Att's coverage). I have Att and I have coverage where I work and live and travel. Unless Verizon digs deeper with the adds it won't ...
(continues)
...
I think the ads purpose are to discourage Verizon customers from switching to AT&T, actually. A Verizon customer who is i curious might be dissuaded from porting out if they are happy with their coverage and just wanted the iphone.
...
True. True. I want to see a commercial that makes me want to switch. Not that I will but that's what I want. I wnt to see stiff competition. Verizon can only run these coverage commercials so long before they have to update them. It was funny but have to be more creative. I've seen like 4 different Christmas commercials. It's getting old quick. At least change the colors on the map.
...
If you recall sprint has been bashing at&t and verizon's pricing for months on their commercials. But, then again, I guess no one really cares about what sprint does.
...
And Alltel has been bashing the other 4 the same way but that is apparently ok with this guy.
...
And all that bashing got them bought out in the end. How ironic?
...
I like Sprint. If it was not so expensive to change equipment I would have already. Simply Everything on a Pre... Then there is the Mobile to Mobile havoc it would create for everyone I have sold Verizon to in the past.
...
DrunkNov 24, 2009, 10:32 PM
I did... till I lost my job with them.
...
MennoNov 24, 2009, 7:42 PM
-Omnipoint used to mock old Analog only carriers based on call quality.
-Tmobile and Sprint frequently mention about how ATT and Verizon are "ripping off" customers because of higher monthly costs (though they are rather creative at it)
-ATT ran ads about how they had fewer dropped calls a couple of years back.
All companies run negative ads, Verizon is just the first to come right out and name what they are saying, and they made the ads funny and creative, so people paid attention to them.
Lets not forget that pretty much every APPLE ad in the past few years is attacking Windows/PC's. Attacking a competitor's weaknesses while capitalizing on your strengths is smart marketing, especially in a market where the typical consumer is...
(continues)
...
Psshhh, maaaannn, if like, my ps3 and all was like hooked up to some like daaayyyaaammm black n white junk, maaaan, i'd be like all pissed off n whateva.
Point well taken, Menno. I'm not disrespecting you. I just couldn't help myself with your astute PS3 anaology 😁 Might I add that you have a funny avatar.
Cheers
...