Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Prudes take umbrage with Air New Zealand videos
Last month, we told you about Air New Zealand's new in-flight safety video that features the flight crew in nothing but body paint. That, of course, came on the heels of their new ad campaign featuring their staff in - you guessed it - nothing but body paint. We thought the in-flight video and television commercial were innovative and quirky examples of an airline showing some actual personality. Sadly, not everyone has what we here at Gadling call "a sense of humor." Some people are offended by the videos and they're starting to speak up.
According to news.com.au, many Kiwis who have flown national airline recently think that the risque videos are inappropriate. "Enough is enough, this is our national airline, not a strip joint! I for one won't bother booking with you again," one perturbed passenger said. Another Kiwi lodged a complaint with New Zealand's advertising watchdog. The complaint stated, "All genital areas were hidden but they left nothing to the imagination and (it) conjured pictures that none of us needed."
Air New Zealand is defending their campaign, which they say "highlights the transparency of the airline's all-inclusive domestic airfares."
I, for one, agree with the airline. Lighten up, people. It's kitschy. It's creative. It's devoid of any "genital areas." The television commercial is better than what most companies throw out there. And the in-flight video beats listening to a bored flight attendant phoning in the delivery of the safety spiel because she's done it a million times before and just can't muster up the energy to care anymore.
Just to stick it to the prudes who can't seem to accept that life is too short to complain about everything, I'm slapping the in-flight safety video in this post. Watch it again for the first time.
Filed under: Oceania, New Zealand, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Secret Asian Man Jul 13th 2009 2:51PM
I like the video. It certainly got my attention.
Personally, I see nothing even worth being offended about. As mentioned, no genitals were even hinted at and both females had their chests strategically obscured. While the men had more exposure, the paint job pretty much hide even their nipples so it's no worse than a tight muscle shirt. So, it wouldn't even be necessary for the women to be obscured but Air New Zealand decided to be cautious anyway.
Those who are offended should just stay home.
Tellie Jul 13th 2009 3:47PM
Oh Good Lord... people are complaining about that? It's nothing sexual, just a ploy to get you to look, which is the POINT of advertising. And anything that encourages people NOT to tune out a safety video gets my vote. The perfume ads on TV have much more sexuality than these videos.
What's so sinister about the human body anyways? Just because you aren't comfortable with your own body doesn't mean you have to ban innocent views of other people's bodies.
max Sep 26th 2009 1:11PM
Shux! This ad convinced me to check out New Zealand as my next travel destination from the USA ! Any country laid back enough and self-effacing enough to do this MUST have something to offer someone tired of the overheated religiosity of the USA.