This week people have been buzzing about Brad Pitt‘s new ads for Chanel. Why the buzz? Well here are a few reasons:
1) While there have been many celebs attached to Chanel No 5 (famous women who wore it include Catherine Deneuve and Marilyn Monroe)
Pitt is the first male celeb to promote the iconic Chanel perfume
2) He was reportedly paid $7M for these spots
3) The spots are…how shall I put this? Cryptic, stylized and abstract at best and odd and just plain weird at worst.
An example of the latter. Below is a quote from Pitt’s second spot. This is what the actor actually says:
“It’s not a journey. Every journey ends but we go on. The world turns as we turn with it. Plans disappear. Dreams take over. But wherever I go, there you are. My luck. My fate. My fortune. Chanel No.5. Inevitable.”
Uh…say what? I’m confused.
The feedback from people has been very mixed. I must say, I’ve always been neutral on Brad Pitt – I can take him or leave him, so seeing him in these ads does nothing for me. I do find it strange that he’d sign up for this but then again, $7M is nothing to sniff at, even if you are already a major star.
Curious…what do you think? Do these videos set your hearts aflutter?
Feast your eyes and let me know.
[youtube id=”mGs4CjeJiJQ”]
Sara says
so so so brutal – can’t wait to watch the spoof….and I’m going now….
Katya says
Sandra, you totally nailed it!
Katya says
Ladies, you wished it and it happened on Saturday. SNL did indeed spoof it (although why bother when the original already does look like a spoof – I agree!). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcdQNh_P9tE
Coffee with Julie says
I couldn’t agree more that this seems EXACTLY like an SNL spoof! I just don’t “get” it at all. And it certainly lowers the prestige of the brand Chanel in my eyes. They should hire Sandra5 next time!
It was a real treat to meet you at the SheBlogs Blissdom after-party! I look forward to keeping in touch 🙂
Sandra5 says
Chanel ads have always been filled with polished luxurious fantasy.
With the badly wrinkled shirt, uncombed hair and scruffy beard Brad’s far from anybody’s fantasy.
Make an effort Chanel!
Here’s what you do: put Brad in a nice suit and sunglasses and have him waiting at a lovely outdoor cafe. Make him look like he’s waiting anxiously for someone, perhaps Angelina, perhaps his secret girlfriend (that would be me.)
With more interesting visuals this spoken text would fit right in, no matter how cryptic.
Lisa says
His ad sounds like a clip out of ‘The Tree of Life’ movie he made last year.
Katya says
So true Nancy! It already looks like an SNL spoof doesn’t it?
One day, someone may make me understand why Brad Pitt matters. Until then, I still prefer his friend George C.
Katya says
Chanel No5 scent is so icononic, one may question if they even need a campaign for this at all. But clearly, the did generate a ton of PR, as you say. If the ad was less odd, people wouldn’t be discussing it.
The question is – will this make women run out and buy it? At the end of the day, we all vote with our wallets.
Sonya says
Well, the inevitable is the Chanel just succeeded in causing people to stop, watch the ad, and discuss whether it’s good or bad. Does it affect whether or not people will buy this product? probably not. Chanel No. 5 has a solid and loyal following. But agreed …this ad campaign..huh???
Nancy says
Whenever SNL can do a spoof and change NOTHING from the original you know it is really really bad
If I cared about Brad Pitt I would be devestatingly embarassed for him!