JC Penney’s phones an ad in
1August 24, 2008 by Colin
Well, another soulless and derivative attempt to manipulate two generations at once: JC Penney’s new back-to-school ad plays on the heartstrings of Generation X with its recreation of The Breakfast Club.
Snappy little number, but it misses all the character, teenage angst, conflict with authority and pop psychology of the original. (I didn’t hold out much hope for the repeated references to Vitamin M either)
Strangely, Ally Sheedy’s poor diet DOES make it into the clip.
Really, what did the creative brief for this ad look like? Was it actually produced by someone who was a teen in the 80s? Take a coming-of-age movie that had a serious impact on a generation, then polish the hell out of it?
The only way this could be worse is if Ashley Simpson starred in a remake, and Zach Efron played Emilio Estevez’ role.
Actually, it would be works if Zac Efron played Judd Nelson’s role. Altogether, this is a poorly constructed ad, meant to effect parents, rather than the kids who pick their own clothes and wouldn’t be caught dead shopping in a Penney’s. I enjoy the stupidity of former clients.