Ditech's "People Are Smart." Is this the most condescending tagline ever?

[Atman]

Those Ditech commercials...creatively, they're kinda cool. But this "People Are Smart" tagline really sticks in my craw. Especially when SMART people realize that Ditech is now owned by GM, and there isn't really anything "smart" about signing over the deed to your house to General Motors.

If "people are smart" they wouldn't be signing up for more 110% seconds. It's the oldest ploy in the advertising book; they might as well just say "You're very handsome, too. And we love what you've done to your hair."

Besides, if people are so smart, why the hell is George Bush still in office?

.

[Richard Steele]

1. it's the sort of catchphrase that tells you they think their target demographic is dumb.

Bugs me too, since the first time I heard it.

[CBHagman]

2. Oh, how I despise that ad.

I despise it nearly as much as I do Sprint's horrible walkie-talkie cell phones, which allow everyone on the bus to hear both sides of a conversation, plus beep. :grr:

But anyone with a newspaper subscription, a functioning brain, and an ability to interpret the empirical evidence has already figured out that a generalization like "people are smart" scores off the charts on the mendacity scale.

[YOY]

3. If people were "smart" we'd all live sustainably

The idea of nationalism would be put into the pages of history and countries who abuse human rights would be embargoed until they got their ship in shape (including us...)

[Kingshakabobo]

4. They are some of the biggest crooks in the business.

They advertise low-ball rates without disclosing the APR(note rate plus closing costs). That's a violation of Truth In Lending. I have freeze framed the screen to see how they disclose APR and most of the time it isn't even disclosed AT ALL. Most ads they run are quoted with 2 up-front points - but you have to call or go to their website to determine that information. If you price their loans without points you will find out they are about 3/8s to 1/2% higher than market.

I'm a mortgage banker, btw.

[myrna minx]

5. I love how they claim that "people are smart" yet their own commercial

feels the need to define the word "illusionist". :eyes: Those commercials are insulting.

[Atman]

6. No no no, that's "Ill-uuuuu-sionist."

You're not too smart, are you? Probably don't even have a high-rate 110% second mortgage on your home!

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[myrna minx]

8. I'm so s-m-r-t that I do all my banking from the recommendations

of Gary Coleman! So there. It's only 99% APR. I am so smart. S-M-R-T. :rofl:

[The River]

7. Advertisers Have Reached New Lows

in trying to convince people to buy things they don't need.
The one which really bothered me were the recent car ads where
they claimed that DRIVE=LOVE.

[myrna minx]

9. Gulp. It's not? *wipes away a tear* So is that why my marriage proposals to

that coy, saucy, little BMW go unanswered? :cry:

I know what you mean. Those ads are unsettling.

[Bitwit1234]

10. I believe there is a moral majority in this country. AND

there is no way on earth that they would believe that a president of this wonderful country would lie, steal, start wars and be as corruptible evil as bush with the help of cheney and rove.

They really believed in the president cy of our country. They could not fathom that any president would be such an evil monster. They could not believe that rove and the crooked henchmen could steal two elections. And they still don't believe they are sure as hell planning something to keep them selves or their pick for the next president in power. AMERICA BETTER WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT MONSTERS DO EXIST AND THEY ARE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

[Donnachaidh]

11. It's neck and neck with Hyundai's DUH campaign

When the companies are taking advice on advertising from knuckle-dragging teenagers -- it shows.

[Atman]

12. I haven't seen those.

Hyundai seems to run pretty normal car ads here in the Northeast. I like the one for the Veracruz, where the wife gets into the wrong car because she thinks it's a Lexus. It's a BEAUTIFUL car...I just got back from the dealership (picking up my Elantra) and checked it out. It's pretty sweet, and you should check out the Road & Track comparison of the Hyundai Veracruz and Lexus 350. The Veracruz WON! Hyundai copies the Lexus design almost to the letter, and is charging $10-15,000 less.

But anyway...those knuggle-dragging commmercials...never seen 'em.

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