# Hilarious Language Barrier Ads Société Générale Ad Shows the Plight of Obtaini By Akihiko Tse | Published 2013-09-10 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/societe-general-ad References: [adrants](http://www.adrants.com/2013/09/how-not-to-ask-for-money-in-china.php) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI6LYAiZuxM) A hilarious new Société Générale ad reveals that money isn't a universal language when attempting to obtain money in a different country. The ad features a young French foreign exchange student "somewhere in China," who comes across a money exchange establishment. As he tries to communicate with the Chinese staff, gesturing and iterating the supposedly universal word of "money" in both English and French, the student resorts to using a [translator on his phone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/duomart) to communicate his intentions. As he holds up the phone, though, his translation in Chinese reads "Give money now," prompting the staff to interpret it as a robbery attempt. The staff presses a button, which immediately shutters the store and quickly brings police cars and tactical units converging on the site. As the student looks on, perplexed, a message reads, "You want to study abroad? You might need a little help." Société Générale is located in 76 countries and offers financial services like money exchange for travelers and students studying abroad. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 65% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/commercials) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Language Barrier Advertising:** This trend highlights the challenges of communication across different languages and offers opportunities for innovative advertising campaigns that address these issues. - **Translation Technology:** This trend showcases the need for advanced translation technologies and applications that can accurately bridge language gaps, presenting opportunities for disruptive innovation in language translation. - **International Student Services:** With the increasing number of students studying abroad, this trend presents opportunities for businesses to provide specialized services and support that help students navigate language barriers and financial transactions. ### Where This Applies - **Advertising & Marketing:** The advertising and marketing industry can capitalize on this trend by developing creative campaigns that humorously address the challenges of language barriers in international scenarios. - **Language Translation Technology:** The language translation technology industry can seize this trend by developing innovative translation tools and apps that accurately translate languages in real-time, simplifying communication across cultures. - **Education & Financial Services:** This trend presents opportunities for businesses in the education and financial services sectors to offer specialized services that assist international students in navigating language barriers and financial transactions during their studies abroad. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheeky Inaccurate Language Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-wonky-english.md) - [Inclusive Mental Health Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saved-in-translation.md) - [Global Money-Managing Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zing.md) - [AI Language Assistant](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-language-assistant.md) - [Heartfelt Bank Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/synchrony-bank.md) - [Household Expense Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/what-ai-can-save.md) - [Affordable Money Transfer Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paysend.md) - [Global Money-Transferring Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hsbc-2.md) - [Humorous LNY Stories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panda-express-lunar-new-year.md)