# Bad Babysitter Commercials The T-Mobile 'Babysitter' Ad Takes a Swipe at Verizon's Fees and Taxes By Michael Hines | Published 2017-07-08 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tmobile-babysitter-ad References: [cnet](https://www.cnet.com/news/t-mobile-compares-verizon-to-extortionist-babysitter/) & [t-mobile](https://www.t-mobile.com/) The T-Mobile 'Babysitter' ad is the latest shot a competing carrier has taken at Verizon Wireless. The new ad features a babysitter who charges for everything, including ordering pizza for the kids and rummaging through the closet of the parents paying her. The implication is clear: Other carriers charge too much in hidden fees. Just in case it wasn't, though, the T-Mobile 'Babysitter' ad specifically mentions Verizon. The company has been taking hits lately from Sprint which is rumored to be merging with T-Mobile. Whether or not the merger happens it's clear that T-Mobile wants a bigger slice of the U.S. cellular market and is going after it with cheaper, flat-fee plans and its typical tongue-in-cheek advertising. The T-Mobile 'Babysitter' ad accomplishes both goals, advertising the company's family plan while pointing out Verizon's extra fees and charges. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Flat-fee Wireless Plans:** The trend towards offering flat-fee wireless plans with no hidden charges or fees will disrupt the wireless carrier industry. - **Tongue-in-cheek Advertising:** The trend towards using humor and playful messaging in advertising will disrupt the traditional serious tone of the telecom industry. - **Mergers and Acquisitions:** The trend towards mergers and acquisitions will disrupt the cellular market and create new opportunities for growth and consolidation. ### Who This Affects Most - **Wireless Carriers:** Wireless carriers must adapt to the trend towards flat-fee wireless plans and innovative advertising in order to remain competitive in the market. - **Advertising:** The trend towards tongue-in-cheek advertising is disrupting the traditional serious tone of the telecom industry and creating new opportunities for creative messaging. - **Mergers and Acquisitions:** The trend towards mergers and acquisitions in the telecom industry is creating new opportunities for growth and consolidation, but also new challenges in terms of competition and regulatory scrutiny. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheeky Wireless Service Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nada-yada-yada.md) - [Budget-Friendly Wireless Plans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/budgetfriendly-wireless-plans.md) - [Long-Term Wireless Plan Guarantees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longterm-wireless-plan.md) - [Nightmarish Mobile Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cellphone-bill.md) - [Teen-Targeted Banking Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/family-money.md) - [Telecom Travel Suitcases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uncarrier-by-tmobile.md) - [Rage-Relieving Internet Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rage-against-big-internet-tour.md) - [Fee-Free Phone Plans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visible-plan.md) - [AI-Powered Plan Matching Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tmobile.md)