Hands in my pockets - Capital One

This is a series of TV spots showing banker-types following normal folks around in all sort of daily activities with their hands in their pockets. Like they are stealing, continuously, every minute of every day, in every situation. Like pick pockets, but without the craftiness.

I think these ads are only in Canada because I can't find the video anywhere on the Web. But Capital One's "Hands in my pockets" series has not only delivered a memorable jingle, known and loved (and hated by those who can't get it out of their heads) by all, but they've made a stunning indictment of Canada's Big 5 banks, who charge higher interest rates than anybody.

The gamble is that "truth in advertising" doubles back and bites them, along with their targets, in the ass. Basically, everyone hates credit gouging and the greed, disrespect, narcissism, cynacism and corruption it represents. Note to Capital One, you want our respect (and business)? Live up to your promise of a real alternative.

Whatever, we this ad.

The great irony of it is that the song, by Jim Guthrie (link below) is plural, handS in my pocketS, not hand in my pocket as the images show in the ad, and is a very sweet song about walking around with your hands in your pockets. It's dreamy and the way the ad couples it up with a hateful thing banks do is... well... brilliant, the best advertising can do combining sweet and sour, threatening and securing at the same time.

"So I forced my hands in my pockets
And felt with my thumbs,
And gallantly handed her
My very last piece of gum."
- Bob Dylan 4th Time Around

who's got it totally wrong

sorry, you can't criticize advertising properly if you're trying to get a job in advertising

view and rate TV ads - this is great site, performing a great service... Thank you!

wierd cutting edge video shit

e.g. this is why we all LOVE to drive cars and won't stop, no matter pretty much whatever...

re: prison, see my last post on the Globe and Mail ad campaign

at least somebody is paying attention to Capital One ads in video

Yet more hands in my pockets stuff:

the song, by Jim Guthrie

about the ad

about the issues

funny-cute rip off...

Pity the poor CBC, the Canadian broadcasting service, aka "the mothership" for having some good, if beside the point info about songwriters and the commercial biz

permanent link