Alexandra Aquilina, Swieqi
Condom controversy a marketing success
I find the whole uproar created by RedOrange's publicity stunt hilarious. Have none of you self-righteous "grown-ups" yet realised that the more you fuss about something, the more it will remain in a person's memory? I did not even know that the condom issue was even related to Vodafone when friends attending University said "Oh they gave us condoms" but now I know every detail! (I actually thought it was a KSU stunt due to the earlier condom machine debate).
I think it is about time you got over such petty things and move on to focus on the more important things in life. It's not as though they used the same marketing campaign for the under-18 students. Using sex as a marketing strategy is the oldest and most obvious thing to do. Look at the numerous billboards and adverts aptly displaying female or male body parts for all the public to view. I haven't seen anyone make a fuss about these. I've also seen attempts by numerous University students trying to sell something by using the words SEX or even FREE BEER to get people to read the fine print. Yes sex sells. Everyone knows it and there's nothing you can do about it. I congratulate RedOrange for their marketing techniques. Although I find the idea old, they presented it really tastefully especially with the lollypops for the under-18s.
So let's stop getting scandalized for every little thing and move on with our lives. And thanks to all those who fussed about the issue for making me aware of Vodafone's offers!
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Franco Farrugia
Nov 4th 2009, 10:26
At Mr Sacco - Pardon me, but in my ignorance (even though I have plenty of karti strazzi at home!), I couldn t grasp what your last point was, in spite of you resting your case. Yes, Mintoff DID use the phrase, but it was Agatha Barbara who first used it ... against those new graduates who went to her office asking for work, and she sent them backing! Mintoff used that cliche' because he, who was fortunate enough to have always found sponsorships for his studies abroad, particularly the British government (funnily enough!), did his maximum best to stop and hinder the Maltese people, 'sahansitra t-tfal tal-haddiema!' from getting themselves an education. He ruined the schools through Ms Barbara, he ruined the University and he ruined Mater Admirabilis College and gave it to the Libyans, and he systematically brought to a half the educational system we had in place in the country! Like every other dictator, Mintoff was terrified of education!
A.Sacco
Nov 3rd 2009, 08:23
Quote from your comment:"'Karti strazzi' is a cliche' used only by those who always found it impossible to reach such a 'karta'" . I maintain that Mintoff did USE this phrase, even if "historically" in public it could be that his Minister of Education preceded him. And remember, "historically" we learn that Columbus discovered America, but it bears Vespucci's name! And I rest my case.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2009, 07:39
@ Kenneth Cassar - Vodafone made fools of themselves simply by threading on ground on which they had no right or ability to do. They allowed a marketing exercise that some of us, islanders, those who have some wit, style and common sense left about them, find silly, and in very bad taste. They have allowed people to manipulate them and they tried to manipulate people with tha condom advert. It was wrong for people to make a fuss over it, yet, we are showing, dear Kenneth, that we can stoop low, very low indeed. Let me just ask you one question: would you leave your condoms for everyone to see? Or would you put them in your back pocket? I consider condoms to be something personal and not, as the advert shows, something that you should prance around with, and advert as 'fun' during a Freshers' Week at University. I also fin it strange that the University Rector found it necessary to ban a paricular newspaper for its contents ... and didn't involve himself over this 'marketing success'.
TG CURMI
Nov 2nd 2009, 21:56
The writer's condescending tone in her lecture to 'grown-ups' (presumably she is still a child) is amusing. She maintains that "using sex as a marketing strategy is the oldest and most obvious thing to do". Using the this-is-what-has-always-been-done excuse is also the most obvious thing to do for many people. Hopefully, when she grows up, she will also stop to consider whether it is the right thing to do.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 2nd 2009, 20:38
Historically, you will find that it was one of his female ministers who coined the term - and she was Minister of Education. And her degrees were all 'honoris causa'! So, now, who is the incorrect one? :-)) Are you man enough to admit your error??
A.Sacco
Nov 2nd 2009, 16:07
Franco Farrugia: "Karta strazza" was coined by none other than Dom Mintoff, who did not "find it impossible to reach such a karta". So get down from cloud 99
J Farrugia
Nov 2nd 2009, 14:43
It's the quality that makes a university not the quantity.
A.Sacco
Nov 2nd 2009, 13:56
@Franco Farrugia, just to refresh your memory: the term "karta strazza" was used by Dom Mintoff. He was an architect, going through higher education,and if my memory's right, holder of an M.A. (no mean achievement in his time) so don't kid yourself. As for "not being inside Tal-Qroqq" to assess the real situation, does this mean that you yourself should cease from commenting on every subject under the sun just because you can't be everybody and everywhere at the same time?
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 2nd 2009, 13:25
@ Franco Farrugia:
How exactly have Vodafone made a fool of themselves?
Franco Farrugia
Nov 2nd 2009, 11:08
@ Mr Sacco - If that is the way you see University, perhaps you should enrol and partake of the menu as you see it. 'Karti strazzi' is a cliche' used only by those who always found it impossible to reach such a 'karta'. I think you should be inside Tal-Qroqq in order to assess the real situation.
A.Sacco
Nov 2nd 2009, 10:53
I was one who was critical of Mintoff's policy vis-a-vis the University during his tenure of office, and more so when Labour hooligans used to disrupt some University activity which served as a protest against the administration of the time, but we have now gone from one extreme to the other, where outsiders get the impression that campus means condoms, and condoms means sex, and sex during working hours means profligacy, and thus the famous "bicca karta strazza" cliche' seems to be maturing into reality
Franco Farrugia
Nov 2nd 2009, 10:30
@ A. Aquilina What you write is true, makes sense. I have been saying this for a number of times. That having been said, Vodafone still have made a terrible fool of themselves.