Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

WATCH: The video that summarises every modern ad in existence

“See how this guy in a lab coat holds up a beaker? That means we do research.”

IF YOU’VE SEEN one company ad, you’ve seen them all.

You know the ones we’re talking about, the type of ad that has amazing nature shots, uses vague inspirational buzzwords that have no meaning, includes shots of people of different backgrounds to show it’s a company of the people, a little bit of scientific research to show it’s tackling the big problems, and a calm, pensive voiceover guy thrown in for good measure.

Kendra Eash put together a summary of such ads for McSweeney’s last month and Dissolve, a company that specialises in stock video footage, has used it to create the most generic brand video in existence.

The motive is pretty clear, but when it’s done this well, it’s hard not to appreciate how well it comes together.


(Video: /Vimeo)

Read: Limerick student’s brilliant Wolf of Wall Street parody featured on The Guardian >

Read: Here’s the parody version of that Fáilte Ireland ad >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 7:22 AM

    Personally I read that as some council lads still want to be able to do favours for people by cranking planning while insisting on a strictly insane rules that force people to have tiny windows or that don’t let new buildings be new as in a new design rather than the big standard. Without the power sure they are no better than the rest of us, where’s the fun in that like.

    214
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Boyne Sharky
    Favourite Boyne Sharky
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 8:41 AM

    @Peter: Maybe, but on the other side of the coin we have developers dictating planning decisions, and that can’t be good for anyone. There has to be a regulated middle ground.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 9:56 AM

    @Boyne Sharky: don’t get me wrong, I think the whole process needs to be cleaned up and made simple and consistent all over the country. I have heard of people being told the house planned should be double the size while others only a mile away told to make it smaller. Currently the whole thing is based on what the planning officer likes basically which is completely insane.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Fennell
    Favourite Patrick Fennell
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 8:10 AM

    How many councillors is this country can honestly say they have any expertise in urban/rural planning? Travel around any part of Ireland and you will see the consequences of this.Taclky throughfares in every city and developer led housing monstrosities everywhere to extract the greatest profit.

    171
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Kavanagh
    Favourite Michael Kavanagh
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 7:58 AM

    And they were doing such a grand job ……… !

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roibeard Ó Riain
    Favourite Roibeard Ó Riain
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 7:22 AM

    Less brown envelopes for them. Disgusting

    188
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Shaughnessy
    Favourite Dave O'Shaughnessy
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 8:59 AM

    Farewell to Parish-Pump politics, and good riddance!

    Clueless Councillors now worried they won’t be able to sort out their local friends and relatives by green-lighting dodgy developments or by blocking necessary planning permissions. No more boring white bungalows with awful columns blighting the countryside.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Long
    Favourite Michael Long
    Report
    Feb 21st 2023, 8:53 AM

    People seem to be jumping on the councilors side of things here. Probably correctly so. But do we really want developers to be able to build what they want where they want it?

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat O'Brien
    Favourite Pat O'Brien
    Report
    Feb 22nd 2023, 4:47 PM

    They sold their souls 20 years ago, for more money and increased pension benifits, Cant have it both ways, Whole system needs major overhaul, not what you know, But Who ??.

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds