One of the most talk about Super Bowl 2013 commercials is this Volkswagen (VW) Beetle “Get In. Get Happy” commercial. The media and bloggers across the internet have apparently tagged it as ‘Racist' since it shows a white guy (a really white guy) in an normal looking American office talking in a Jamaican accent.
Personally I am not sure what the issue is since the song playing in the background is from reggae artist Jimmy Cliff. I am pretty certain if he didn't like the commercial he would not have agreed to be in the VW commercial. (Of course I am sure VW paid him quite a bit of money.) Also VW tested the commercial with Jamaicans who didn't find it particularly offensive or racist.
I will ask my readers straight up, is this VW Beetle commercial racist? Watch it below and let me know!
I don't think it is racist but that is just my opinion. Besides something you need to realize is that VW probably doesn't mind the controversy and hype surrounding the commercial. Why? Since I assume a lot more people will see it. The job of ad people is to get people talking about commercials and that is exactly what was accomplished with this VW Beetle commercial. It already has around 5.8 million views which I am sure VW execs are happy with.
Leave a comment and share your own opinion about the VW Beetle commercial. I would be happy to hear all opinions about it.
Please also checkout the VW Teaser Video “Sunny Side” and let me know your opinion about that commercial too.