Comments on: 2010 SuperBowl Ads: Audi Green Police Is As Green as it Gets?

By: Seeing Red From the Green Police

Seeing Red From the Green Police — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:35:34 +0000

[...] unneeded step away from feeling that sustainability is cool, easy, and normal.” — Triple Pundit (a generally great resource in the susbiz arena) Climate [...]

By: Scott Cooney

Scott Cooney — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:51:35 +0000

Hi HMC77,
Are you referring to the congestion tax levied in Britain for large cars to drive into the center of London? San Francisco, as you mentioned, is making waves by 'policing' waste disposal, mainly because the city was spending way too much of taxpayer dollars on landfill, and found that it could greatly reduce its costs if it diverted more waste to compost and recycling programs. Seattle and Portland, similarly. The program has been an unconditional success, and so far, there have been no 'arrests' or citations given, only warnings and education. If an offender continues to defy the new law, there is potential for repurcussions, but someone would really have to be a blatant repeat offender.

Middle America is not a backward, little hole in the wall. I'm from there myself and I knew many people who were quite educated and progressive, and really cared about their public parks, their children's education, and about the legacy of waste we're leaving for our children to deal with.

By: Scott Cooney

Scott Cooney — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:47:11 +0000

interesting comment Danny. Can you explain further what you mean by a 'monolithic industry'? Usually sustainability is not referred to as an industry in and of itself, but rather a facet that is part of all industries.

By: hmc77

hmc77 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:12:39 +0000

the offense some environmentalists feel toward this ad would be more understandable if cities like san francisco and countries like great britain weren't already policing green. i'm from that backward, little hole-in-the-ground called middle america, and i'm for conservation and recycling; but i am not for going all 1984 over it. cheers to audi for saying so with a sense of humor.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:59:54 +0000

I agree. A positive humourous approach to environmentalism is desperately needed. Many corporations are afraid of stepping up and speaking out for fear of backlash. We need to encourage companies that take a positive stand, whether they do it brilliantly or not-so-greatly.

By: Scott Cooney

Scott Cooney — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:51:35 +0000

By: Scott Cooney

Scott Cooney — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:47:11 +0000

By: hmc77

hmc77 — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:12:39 +0000

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:59:54 +0000

By: ddannywms

ddannywms — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:14:53 +0000

The Audi ad was a comment on how far the pendulum has swung to the “all green, all the time” side. At first I wasn't sure what I was seeing, but have since reviewed this ad half dozen times and it makes me smile every time, a reaction I'm sure Audi was shooting for. I'd go so far as saying that in time, the Audi Green Police ad will be seen in the same light as the famous Apple Super Bowl ad in 1984. So far, no marketer has ever had the cahones to stand up to what has become a monolithic industry and it will be interesting to see how Audi weathers the coming storm.

By: Michael DeToro

Michael DeToro — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:45:25 +0000

Good points Nick. I live in Belgium for the moment. I read several artlicles a day (on my time) on climate change even though currently not working in the field. Following the discourse in the states has sensitized me to the need for proper outreach. Those of us who recylce etc. can sit back and laugh at the ad. But as Nick rightly pointed out the problem is that those looking for anti-what-ever (big govt. big greens, big etc.) are fired up and form resistance movements. It's true we need to move from the doom and gloom only perpective. Humor done right could get through to those resisting the necessary changes that we as a species need to make. Thumbs down on the this Audi ad because it fundamenttally sends a mixed message: green is good but be very weary if the govt has to enforce it.

By: Nick Palmer

Nick Palmer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:06:48 +0000

Hey, I'm as green as they come but I found it really funny. The only problem is that there are too many people, in America particularly (neo-cons, libertarians and wing nuts generally) who will see it as reinforcing their prejudices. They still won't see that all of the actions jokily "policed" in the film are not very compatible with a sustainable future - all they will see is an authority telling them that they can't do something - which will undoubtedly cause them to have tantrums like two year old children.

By: Tish Lascelle

Tish Lascelle — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:57:10 +0000

I am a corporate sustainability director, and everyone here loved the commercial! It got passed around like lightening prior to the game. Sustainability is serious, to be sure, but that doesn't mean there's not humor in it! There are many studies that show negative messaging about the planet just don't work — it doesn't change behavior b/c it makes people despair; they believe the problem is too large for one person to make a difference. Audi's humor was fun and timely — We've been pelted with 'the sky is falling' environmental messaging for a long time and personally, I crave optimism in the discussions about our planet (i.e., that Americans are nothing but ingenious when we put our minds to our problems). At least Audi gave us the 'change a lightbulb' kind of messages in a way that was more memorable. I enjoyed the laugh and when I'm ready for a new car (at 223,000 miles on my Honda now, I'm aiming for 300,000 before its retirement) the Audi A3 diesel will get my consideration.

By: toddtheodore

toddtheodore — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:29:17 +0000

Love the green spot! Kinda want to buy an audi

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