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I saw this commercial a few days ago, but couldn't find it online until today.
Gillette concedes that a straight is better than anything they've come up with so far (at least in part).
http://youtu.be/H7hxkAClnF4
I do find it funny that they used the most archaic looking straight possible (23sec)...instead of say a Red Imp, or Leader, or any number of gorgeous razors we see on a regular basis.
FWIW
Jim
Hmm, I just saw a quick glimpse of a straight. It could mean many things. Nothing was said about it.
electric - even trimming
fusion - close shave
straight - accurate edge
many of my neighbors believe that the shavettes for shaping that their barbers are using are full on real straights, so i think the advertising is speaking only to shaping as that is what the 6th blade is for IIRC.
The impression I get from that commercial isn't that they are conceeding anything, quite the opposite. The seem to be saying that they've taken the best elements of other shaving appliances and now Gillette has created an even BETTER, ultimate razor/trimmer/whateveryouwanttocallit. Typical of them, IMO. But I have to admit, inserting the image of a straight into there kinda threw me for a loop...
I agree with Ryan. They're merely making the reference that they've incorporated aspects of those types of razors into this one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJim
I grew up in a culture where it was customary to shave every day, and everything introduced the last 40 years left my face chapped Tuesday or Wednesday. People address the irritation issue by skipping the shave but I'm locked in that shave everyday mentality. That's what led me back to the single edge,double edge, and straight shaving. The stuff you typically see at a retail store is not only expensive, its horrible!
I think the razor has a single edge on the back for sideburn and moustache edges.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Wow, I really didn't think this would get such push back.
In my mind, when I saw this commercial, they were communicating that they'd come out with a new dyna-whoppin-mojo-nuclear-powered-super-duper-awesome-sauce shaving machine. BUT, in doing so they also conceded that, at least for "accurate edging" nothing they've made so far does a better job than a straight. Otherwise, why show a straight at all? Why not a single blade disposable, or a DE? They show other products Gillette has made in the past and warp them into this new machine claiming to have taken the best of the best to make this new product. That means that they're conceding that the straight razor is the best of the best, at least in some aspect of shaving.
If you don't like it, that's fine. I just thought it was interesting that they'd even deign to show a straight, let alone imply it was the best at something, and I thought others might be interested in seeing it.
Peace,
Jim
I think this might backfire on them.
If they are saying we've taken the best bits from these shaving instruments, I'm thinking non straight razor shavers will think; why not just use a straight if even gilette use these as inspiration? surely the source of the idea is in most cases superior to the creation derived from it.
I see where your coming from.
regards Alex
I think they're just trying to ride the mojo coattails of straight razors. 'Cause after all, what's manlier than that? That little blue thingy with all those blade guards on it? Naaah. Plus, Adrian Brody looks like such a stoner I wouldn't risk using the same gear as him!
All I gathered from that ad, was, that if you want to look like a gay man, use Gillette.
Mick
This has to be ripe for a parody somewhere. maybe a razor that can trim the shrubs in front of the house, or one that has a combination wrench in the end so that you can use it to change oil. Maybe one that has an MP3 player in it that you can click into your car stereo to play your favorite songs.
These razors get dumber each time they come out with a new one.
I think it's fair to make an inference about their perspective of straight razors. I find it interesting that all three models had facial hair or some sort.
Im thinking none straight users will never even notice the razor in the commercial. most people dont pay attention to razors because to them there just a tool that gets thrown away when done. now for use we notice the small details because were just special that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by justalex
I just had to point out the fact that every year at least one if not all of the disposable razor companies comes out with a new and improved version. 6 blades instead of last years 5, a lubricating strip , A vibrating handel ...next it will have a toothbrush attached and panda teeth for touching up your side burns and it will squirt aftershave after each use.
Straight Razors however have remained pretty much the same through out their history, Straight and to the point (pun intended). Blade & scales . No nonsense geting the job done and looking good doing it .
This model of razor is meant for styling facial hair. They did ProGlide, then ProGlide Power, and now ProGlide Styler. Probably a response to Schick's Hydro 5 Power Select that created some buzz being displayed at CES.Quote:
Originally Posted by AFDavis11
I am so glad I ditched the cartridges before all these variable-speed, sonic, lighted, vibrating cartridges came to market. :)
That culture still exists where I live. Unless you are a slob or a male mannequin.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun
Yeah, the female mannequins still shave daily. :D :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by welshwizard
Attachment 89635Attachment 89634
Could a commercial like this from AT&T be far behind? :thinking:
Meh, I think some are peering a little too deeply into this rather shallow advert.
It's the season to market something for dad to families that don't know what to buy for him.
Everyone had facial hair, because facial hair is in...but you still need our product to manage it.
The straight razor was in there as a nearly lost element from the original concept (that almost entirely ended up on the editing room floor). Straights are trendy, so leave it there even if it's only for the blink of an eye. It looks old and makes it seem like we have been in the game forever.
The original concept that it is great for edging perhaps? They probably would have attracted more attention with an expensive car and some swooning ladies...but that is getting tired in razor adverts...plus this is not meant to appeal to middle-aged dad, but rather to his wife and or kids.
Oh wait, they put the ladies in at the end...perhaps junior will buy one for dad...and one for himself;)
I'm surprised they didn't use a DE razor since Gillette actually made those. Some of them were pretty darn good. Better than anything they've made since, imho.
But perhaps they felt that might cut a little too close to home (no pun intended) and perhaps their own ad would end up stirring up interest in DE razors which are trendy, inexpensive and easy to use in comparison to straight razors which, while perhaps still somewhat trendy at the moment, require quite a bit more initial outlay, and at the most basic level oblige one to get lot of practice stropping and shaving before they give much back. Even bearing that in mind it appears they weren't even giving a straight razor more than an instant of exposure in the ad.
Setting aside that many will be bought as gifts, or by young men 'coming of age,' I don't imagine there is much to fear though. I believe most people who are going to get into DE or straight razor shaving (who are already shaving) are those who have been sticking with the older generations of cartridge razor which are still available. The Mach 3 for example seems quite popular; a lot of online shaving stores which otherwise stock only straights and DEs along with other kit sell them, or their blades. While most nice shave-sets with custom handles suit Mach 3 blades.
The newer razors don't shave any better and are simply bulkier, more expensive and cause more irritation. It's all been about window-dressing, endorsements, and marketing. I don't find it surprising, or a coincidence that 'retro,' shaving tools began to make something of a come-back around this very period. However I think anyone who has already made the jump from functional to superfluous isn't going to draw the line at going from superfluous to even-more-superfluous. Never underestimate the effects of marketing, or the confirmation bias.
It's funny to see sort of a reversal of the "smaller and slicker is better" trend, it's all about the number of 'apps' and possibilities now.
Take Apple, for instance. They had a small mp3 player (nano), then the Ipod (larger MP3 player) then the Iphone (about the same size, but both GSM and multimedia apparatus) , then the Ipad (larger Iphone/Ipod) and finally adding a keyboard to the Ipad, turning it into a small laptop. Next: The IPC, an Ipad the size of a desktop pc. Oh wait...
With billions of dollars in worldwide sales, I don't believe Gillette is ready to concede anything.
Just marketing the innovations on their later product to the broadest target audience possible.
