If you follow the Internets closely, you probably already saw Old Spice's killer viral videos that have gotten all kinds of attention this week. Basically: Old Spice took the guy from its latest ad campaign and started producing custom, personalized YouTube videos aimed at specific people who interact with their social media accounts. In three days, they've released almost 200 videos -- and even proposed for one Old Spice's Twitter followers.
When the Old Spice guy made a video talking about how great libraries are, The Fresno County Public Library posted it on its Facebook page with the message: " Ladies, does your man use the library? The Old Spice Guy does." Here's the video:
No harm there, right? Wrong. A couple of FCPL's friends didn't approve:
One wrote:
I do not appreciate this--it is acutally very insulting! I love the Fresno Library and often tell people that it is the best thing about Fresno--but, please----use some tact and have some class...
Another:
oh please. we don't need or want the library to use sex appeal to attempt to manipulate us. That would be why we use the library, so we don't have to watch that kind of cheesy selling tactics.
As somebody who often gets hate mail from easily-offended people, I'm on the side of the library. What do you think? Do you think that's inappropriate for the library to post? Or are these people just super uptight?
These people are super uptight and can't see the commercials for what they are. It isn't using sex to sell; it's using HUMOR to sell. Humor that they obviously don't have in abundance. Maybe they should do some local stand-up...
a. if you think the library is 'the best thing about fresno', then your opinion is automatically void.
b. quit acting like the library is sacred & incapable of connecting with varied demographic groups & direct your haughty energy towards something more important.
c. all those books you read & you still don't know how to use dashes correctly?
Our library IS one of the best things about Fresno. Far too few people appreciate and support it.
I do think these folks are being a little silly, but some people are like that. Offended at the tiniest things.
I hope that the library continues its fantastic work, and continues to think outside the box in trying to attract new audiences. One of the best educational resources left in town.
i agree that it's one of the best things about fresno but to say that it is 'the best', ruling out all kinds of other amazing things about our city is a bit much.
respect to the FCPL & their staff.
The fact that the library posted this video makes me like them even more! I think it's brilliant that they so quickly took something viral and connected it with their own brand. Also, I don't think the Fresno Library is the best thing about Fresno. It's cool, but there are a few other things and people that trump the library.
Not offending, just weak.
Yeah, I think its pretty cool that the folks at FCPL "got" the Old Spice guy... at least enough to post it on their Facebook page. Like Alisa said, it makes me like them even more!
Hope they ignore the naysayers who just don't "get" it.
I think it's funny. Old Spice really hit on something with this guy and these commercials. At the movies recently, one of these ads came on before the film started and it had the whole audience cracking up. Men in particular seemed to enjoy the humor. So, good for the library (indeed, one of the best things in Fresno).
The library is the best! You put in a request for a book, and it comes wherever you want, JUST FOR YOU!! It's amazing! and it doesn't even take up space on my shelf. Kindles are for suckers!
IT IS FACEBOOK, PEOPLE. As a general rule, Facebook is classless, and so are people who take shots at the library and the Old Spice guy, two things that offer much joy to the world. You might as well start taking shots at Santa Claus.
PS there's no commercials in books! not even any commercials that try to make you think you're enjoying advertising for some crap you didn't want and don't need.
I'm sorry, did he say something about libraries? I heard "I'm handsome, and you're pretty" and that was basically it. I'll read whatever he's reading.
Why can't the library, any library, be hip, cool, even sexy? I like it! For that matter, why can't hip, cool sexy people be literate?
Yay! Thanks for posting this, Mike. I agree that the library is one of the greatest things about Fresno, and not just 'cause I work at one. :)
A healthy library system means a healthy community, so we appreciate everyone who uses it to get books, mags, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, Playaways, and research databases.
And if you like the Old Spice campaign, also check out one library's New Spice spoof video--it's equally awesome:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ArIj236UHs
I am going to call this one out, because it looks like no one else is going to do it.
Did anyone notice that this guy is black?
Now look at this comment.
"I do not appreciate this--it is acutally very insulting! I love the Fresno Library and often tell people that it is the best thing about Fresno--but, please----use some tact and have some class..."
What EXACTLY is tactless or classless about this video?
Again, remember he is black.
"oh please. we don't need or want the library to use sex appeal to attempt to manipulate us. That would be why we use the library, so we don't have to watch that kind of cheesy selling tactics."
Do you believe that if this has been Brad Pitt, or Taylor Lautner for that matter, that this comment would have even surfaced? I would also like to argue that quite a large number of people go to the library to check out, as well as view on the computers, materials that are loaded with sex appeal.
Regarding the comment "don't want or need the library to use sex appeal to manipulate...", do they not think that libraries don't have copies of "The Catcher in the Rye" or "The Scarlet Letter"? Classic literature is full of sex appeal. Maybe the library should use them as campaings to manipulate people into reading. Kudos to FCPL for knowing a fun way to draw attention to libraries & reading.
Just as humor is subjective, I would imagine that there would be someone who would not appreciate it as a funny meditation on the library. I think some are reading too much into the video, personally. If it mentioned the Fresno library, they might have a case. Otherwise, if they find it distasteful, they should just move on to the next item on their Facebook news feed.
Love this guy....love the humor, and if it gets people to the library...great!
A better-educated populace is a good thing......
I think that this is basically a non-issue. You will never, ever please everyone so you just have to accept it and go on. I like the video, most people like the video, a few people don't. And actually, would it be bad if a library stretched the limits for people or did something even a lot more controversial? After all, libraries already do that since they contain all sorts of material that people may find offensive, racist, tasteless, pornographic, etc. It is their role to not cater to/exclude material for any particular segment. You can get almost anything at the library and that is good!
I'm all for cool promotional gimmicks that gets folks reading.