Advert Analysis: Mobile Water

One morning, as I was browsing through YouTube videos, I came across an advert from Mobile Water which really stood out for me. I was torn between amusement and exasperation. I also began to ponder on the approach and what Mobile Water sought to achieve with the advert.

The advert opens with a small group of people sitting in a commercial bus, or what is commonly referred to as “trotro.”  A woman sits next to a gentleman, who appears to be very excited and enchanted by her beauty. The man, who cannot contain himself, exclaims “Oh my goodness! I’m love you! I’m kiss you!” to the bemusement of the lady and the irritation of the other passengers. He stretches out his hand with a look of pure awe on his face towards the lady and to the surprise of everyone, reaches out for a sachet of mobile water.  The lady cannot help but voice out her irritation when she says, “ah!” The gentleman then looks at the camera and says “Mobile Water, wo y3 me taste!” while all the passengers burst out in laughter.

I notice three things about the advert;

Advert Analysis: Fiesta Condom's Let's Play

“They have to change that billboard advert because it is bad!” “Some people can do some things in Ghana oo? What were they thinking; that we are in Europe or America?”

I got curious about which advert these two women were talking about so I got closer to get more insight into what the conversation was about. Then I heard one say, “That Fiesta condom advert is not good at all.”  

In fact, the first time I saw one of their billboard ads on the Spintex Road, I was kind of confused as to what the message was about.  So when I heard the ladies talking about another one in Kumasi, it quickly got me into an Anas Aremeyaw Anas mode.

Now, you may want to know exactly what is wrong with this billboard ad. For the benefit of those who have not seen it yet, I will describe the one at Kumasi to you. It is a 1200mm x 1800mm portrait size billboard, with a pretty, long legged young woman in a black dress with this teasing look, who has raised the dress up, exposing her smooth seductive thighs in an inviting pose. The copy, also written in colourful text reads, “my place? your place or over there? Let’s play.”

Advert Analysis: Drop that yam

If you are an ardent reader of the Advert Analysis Column of this magazine, you will notice that I have remained consistent in maintaining that the telecommunications industry is on my A-list when it comes to adverts. From MTN “Aben Wo Ha” to “Make Your Change With Airtel,” I have outlined many elements that have made these adverts outstanding in my opinion. Yet again, I have been proven right with the new Tigo “Drop That Yam” advert. Let’s take a quick run through the commercial.

The advert begins with a “knocking” ceremony of a lady. During the rite, a phone, which happens to belong to the would-be husband, rings? As he picks up to answer, the lady’s mother interrupts,