Posted on 01/29/2005 7:48:01 PM PST by Hildy
Robert De Niro and American Express are being criticized for a new 30-second TV ad airing in the U.S. and the U.K. which includes shots of the now barren site of the World Trade Center. In the ad, directed by Martin Scorsese, De Niro walks through New York, referring to "My East .. my West Side." When he arrives at Ground Zero, he remarks, "My heartbreak." (The spot's tagline is: "My life. My card.") Brand Republic, an online publication covering advertising and marketing, said that the spot is drawing flak for exploiting the 9/11 tragedy.
I've seen the commercial, don't see a problem with it. DeNiro is an old school New Yorker, and identified with the city by outsiders more than any one else. Should they just pretend 9/11 didn't happen? It changed the face of the city, changed the mood of the city, changed the concept of the city, 9/11 is as much a part of the city as the buildings that were there before it happened.
Maybe we could short sell the stock and donate the profits to the survivors.
I haven't decided how I feel about this. As people, I'm not crazy about DeNiro or Scorsese because of their politics so I tend to automatically think this is tasteless, but I'm not sure.
I hate that commercial, i always thought it was absolutely ridiculous for a credit card.
I think it's a great ad! It catches my attention every time it airs. DiNiro is a New Yorker who is very supportive of his city. Can't he be heartbroken like all of us about what happened on 9/11?
I think it's a good and thoughtful ad. Vintage DeNiro. No one "owns" 9/11.
Yes it is. Just scroll down and you'll see the item. It's nearer to the bottom of the page.
I have seen it many times. I find nothing wrong with it.
Sure he can be "heartbroken" but why use it to sell a credit card fro American Express. Are they going to send the money DiNiro made from the commercial to the victims and family members?
Sure he can be "heartbroken" but why use it to sell a credit card for American Express. Are they going to send the money DiNiro made from the commercial to the victims and family members?
I agree!
I've seen it and consider it tasteless. I don't understand the reason for referring to a tragedy to sell anything.
Apparently DeNiro teamed with AMEX after 9/11 to fund some kind of arts rejuvenation in the area. I guess putting back to work the number of arts related businesses ruined by the attack. So maybe the money goes to that...or not...who knows?
I've seen the commercial several times on TV---but I never caught the reference to Ground Zero. It can't really be that offensive if its' never even registered with me...
The vibe I got from it was a guy who was proud of his city. And that is a good thing.
I don't know, or care, what DeNiro's politics are. What I do know is that he is a fine actor. Apparently New York is to him what Athens was to Socretes. Who can fault him for that?
I've seen it and I think it is a good commercial. Then again, I don't go out of my way to be offended about things.
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