Adidas Ignores Student’s Commercial Made For Them, And Now It’s Going So Viral They Probably Regret It
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This incredibly moving Adidas commercial created by 26-year-old student filmmaker, Eugen Merher, may well have won the Internet for 2017.
The 1m:40s commercial revolves around an elderly former German marathon runner. He’s spending a monotonous existence in a rather unlovely retirement home, until one day he finds his old battered Adidas trainers, and decides to relive his younger years by taking them for a run. The retirement home repeatedly try to quash his quests for freedom, but the end of the advert will see you stand up and cheer. Or cry. Or both.
Yet sadly, this ad is just a spec spot, and was ignored by Adidas’ communications department.
“We tried sending it to [Adidas’] communications department but they didn’t really react,” Eugen told The Huffington Post.
Anyway, we think Adidas made a mistake in doing so, and after watching the ad again, we’ve got something in our eye…
More info: eugen-merher.com | YouTube
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Nice ad! (Maybe Adidas didn't make a mistake. They did ignore it but it's still going around the internet and people will hear and remember the name Adidas. So, maybe, they just let somebody else do their own job.)
...for free.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
Exactly
I've just signed-up to comment your words :). Good for Adidas. Why shouldn't they have a free commercial that they didn't pay nor asked for!!! Actually, also good move from the filmmaker (Eugen Merher). His name is going somewhat viral as well.
Adidas didnt accept it because it lacked glamorous females and filthy rich celebrities.
Actually the men who play the lead and the one in the wheel chair are pretty known actors, at least in Germany. I don't know if that's the reason but I think Adidas didn't accept the video because its story is not original. 2013 a movie came out that had the exact story line, complete with the home for old people, the annoyed staff and the supportive fellow residents. It did pretty good in theaters. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2320968/
What's the movie called?
But, it had the lovely stereotype of women in charge being bitches and the medical community being cruel.
YES Totally agree with Abin Thomas.. the raw truth is 100 times more affective and real..then the fake B.S.
If the commercial would have been about an elderly former marathon runner who would have regained his strength with the help of his overworked but loving and supporting care workers, while being cheered on by his fellow residents, to the point where he was able to run around the retirement home, I would have liked it. And I believe Adidas would have liked it too. I don't think the messages needs such a dystopian depiction of a retirement home.
I agree. I didn't really get why the staff would try so hard to stop him, unless there's a reason... like dementia, in which case what comes after the video might not be so cheerful...
my 80 year old mother in law, suffering from dementia was able to leave a locked and secure building. It was 6 hours later before we found her. She had fallen down into a ditch that was covered in weeds and undergrowth that was so thick and impenetrable, I was standing 1 meter away and did not see her. Neither did any of the other searchers, until she made some crying sounds and she was found, hungry and dehydrated but well. I understand well the intent and heartbreak of someone locked away to break free. Nobody wants to die in such circumstances. Death is a moment of breaking free and release from dementia.
You've never been in one except maybe at their "visiting" hour when they hide reality, you are a prisoner.
I got that impression too - Adidas wouldn't want to be see to be giving the message 'retirement homes are like prisons', which is what comes out strongest for a large part of the video.
That's right, why making nurses and doctors evil characters?
I guess nobody saw "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest"
If you notice one of the men there is watering or pouring liquid on his tv. I believe they're probably suffering from something more debilitating than just their age. I loved it, not everything on tv has to be sunshine and roses, people need to open their eyes to the ugly that others are experiencing too.
I guess your ad would be better
That retirement home was actually too good to be real. Have you ever been in a real one? They are factories of death. Unless you have a ton of money and can afford a private, Uptown style retirement home. Most are staffed by people paid minimum wage and no skills whatsoever. That one look like a private spa.
Nice ad! (Maybe Adidas didn't make a mistake. They did ignore it but it's still going around the internet and people will hear and remember the name Adidas. So, maybe, they just let somebody else do their own job.)
...for free.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
Exactly
I've just signed-up to comment your words :). Good for Adidas. Why shouldn't they have a free commercial that they didn't pay nor asked for!!! Actually, also good move from the filmmaker (Eugen Merher). His name is going somewhat viral as well.
Adidas didnt accept it because it lacked glamorous females and filthy rich celebrities.
Actually the men who play the lead and the one in the wheel chair are pretty known actors, at least in Germany. I don't know if that's the reason but I think Adidas didn't accept the video because its story is not original. 2013 a movie came out that had the exact story line, complete with the home for old people, the annoyed staff and the supportive fellow residents. It did pretty good in theaters. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2320968/
What's the movie called?
But, it had the lovely stereotype of women in charge being bitches and the medical community being cruel.
YES Totally agree with Abin Thomas.. the raw truth is 100 times more affective and real..then the fake B.S.
If the commercial would have been about an elderly former marathon runner who would have regained his strength with the help of his overworked but loving and supporting care workers, while being cheered on by his fellow residents, to the point where he was able to run around the retirement home, I would have liked it. And I believe Adidas would have liked it too. I don't think the messages needs such a dystopian depiction of a retirement home.
I agree. I didn't really get why the staff would try so hard to stop him, unless there's a reason... like dementia, in which case what comes after the video might not be so cheerful...
my 80 year old mother in law, suffering from dementia was able to leave a locked and secure building. It was 6 hours later before we found her. She had fallen down into a ditch that was covered in weeds and undergrowth that was so thick and impenetrable, I was standing 1 meter away and did not see her. Neither did any of the other searchers, until she made some crying sounds and she was found, hungry and dehydrated but well. I understand well the intent and heartbreak of someone locked away to break free. Nobody wants to die in such circumstances. Death is a moment of breaking free and release from dementia.
You've never been in one except maybe at their "visiting" hour when they hide reality, you are a prisoner.
I got that impression too - Adidas wouldn't want to be see to be giving the message 'retirement homes are like prisons', which is what comes out strongest for a large part of the video.
That's right, why making nurses and doctors evil characters?
I guess nobody saw "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest"
If you notice one of the men there is watering or pouring liquid on his tv. I believe they're probably suffering from something more debilitating than just their age. I loved it, not everything on tv has to be sunshine and roses, people need to open their eyes to the ugly that others are experiencing too.
I guess your ad would be better
That retirement home was actually too good to be real. Have you ever been in a real one? They are factories of death. Unless you have a ton of money and can afford a private, Uptown style retirement home. Most are staffed by people paid minimum wage and no skills whatsoever. That one look like a private spa.