Comments on: Cowboys, Communists, and Capitalists in Stoli’s Wild Wild East http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/ Overthinking It subjects the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:05:13 +0000 hourly 1 By: Daniel http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-9655 Daniel Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:22:51 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-9655 I'm interested that they seem to be doing the same exact strategy in such different places, because about 9-12 months ago they did the exact same campaign here in Brisbane, Australia. I suspect that the cultural assumptions, mental associations with Soviet Union and expected reactions are pretty significantly different in New York and Brisbane, so why run the same incomprehensible ad? I’m interested that they seem to be doing the same exact strategy in such different places, because about 9-12 months ago they did the exact same campaign here in Brisbane, Australia. I suspect that the cultural assumptions, mental associations with Soviet Union and expected reactions are pretty significantly different in New York and Brisbane, so why run the same incomprehensible ad?

]]> By: Melanie http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-6147 Melanie Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:52:40 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-6147 I saw these in New York this weekend. I don't think straitlaced Washington would allow such sprawling alcohol ad campaigns in our Metro stations...but maybe I'll be proven wrong, with the economy and all... My husband says that if you actually know how to read Russian (he remembers some from college), the ads are very confusing and hard to read. They certainly got our attention, though, which is pretty much all that advertising is designed to do. Even if you don't get what the hell is going on in the ads, you've looked, and you've seen the brand name or logo. That's all they need, especially in this ADD era of PSPs and NintendoDS and iPhones and crackberries and subway musicians and iPods and hobos and sometimes even newspapers and magazines, and all the other things your attention might be spent on while you walk through the subway system. If they get you to look, that's a win for the campaign, even if they lose you shortly after that. I saw these in New York this weekend. I don’t think straitlaced Washington would allow such sprawling alcohol ad campaigns in our Metro stations…but maybe I’ll be proven wrong, with the economy and all…

My husband says that if you actually know how to read Russian (he remembers some from college), the ads are very confusing and hard to read.

They certainly got our attention, though, which is pretty much all that advertising is designed to do. Even if you don’t get what the hell is going on in the ads, you’ve looked, and you’ve seen the brand name or logo. That’s all they need, especially in this ADD era of PSPs and NintendoDS and iPhones and crackberries and subway musicians and iPods and hobos and sometimes even newspapers and magazines, and all the other things your attention might be spent on while you walk through the subway system.

If they get you to look, that’s a win for the campaign, even if they lose you shortly after that.

]]> By: Johann http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-5988 Johann Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:30:39 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-5988 Just a little nitpicking: The Soviet victory over Nazi Germany was in 1945, not 1944. Just a little nitpicking: The Soviet victory over Nazi Germany was in 1945, not 1944.

]]> By: Gab http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-5969 Gab Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:44:37 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-5969 Oh, Swirthie, if only I could do Photoshop. I'd SO edit some vodka into some of the bar scenes. You're brilliant. Oh, Swirthie, if only I could do Photoshop. I’d SO edit some vodka into some of the bar scenes. You’re brilliant.

]]> By: lee http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-5968 lee Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:40:03 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-5968 Ah, Yakov Smirnoff. Where is he now? Branson, MO. No joke. 9:30 AM and 3 PM shows. http://www.yakov.com/schedule/ Ah, Yakov Smirnoff. Where is he now?

Branson, MO. No joke. 9:30 AM and 3 PM shows.

http://www.yakov.com/schedule/

]]> By: fenzel http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-5966 fenzel Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:06:36 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-5966 In Soviet Russia, Vodka markets you! In Soviet Russia, Vodka markets you!

]]> By: Swirthe http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-5963 Swirthe Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:32:26 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-5963 @Gab: Do they drink vodka in the galaxy far far away? If so then they missed out on the most fantastic product placement in the universe! @Gab: Do they drink vodka in the galaxy far far away? If so then they missed out on the most fantastic product placement in the universe!

]]> By: Gab http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/02/05/cowboys-communists-and-capitalists-in-stolis-wild-wild-east/#comment-5959 Gab Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:46:26 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=4622#comment-5959 I seriously thought it was Luke Skywalker when I glanced at the image the first time. Maybe *that's* it. I seriously thought it was Luke Skywalker when I glanced at the image the first time. Maybe *that’s* it.

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