You will probably cringe a few times when watching this Glyde 'Better Than Gamestop' commercial. Glyde, an online store that lets consumers buy and sell their used video games, books and other electronic goods, has embarked on a rather audacious campaign to let people know that Gamestop, an American video game retailer, is treating its customers unfairly.
The Glyde 'Better Than Gamestop' commercial, created by Hub Strategy, protests against its competitor by featuring a man who would rather get kicked in the crotch than deal with selling his used games through Gamestop. The ad's setting is a country fair booth, where people line up to kick the guy in the crotch. Every time he gets kicked -- and it's more than a few times! -- the guy yells out, "Better than Gamestop!"
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Anti-competitor Advertising
- Using shock tactics and public protest to shame their competition.
- Alternative Consumer Trading Platforms
- Creating new ways for people to trade items and cut out traditional retail middlemen.
- Controversial Marketing Strategies
- Pushing the limits to generate buzz and awareness for a brand.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Retail
- Traditional retail companies may need to adapt their methods to compete with newer trading platforms.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Agencies can explore new creative territory by taking risks in their campaigns.
- E-commerce
- Online trading platforms could capitalize on the market backlash against traditional retailers.
