We've seen clever iPod marketing from outside the US before, like this great campaign from South Africa. Today's ads come from the Sydney, Australia Police Department. Designed to encourage people to be aware of traffic while listening to their iPods, the ads depict users lying on the road, their eyes closed and an earbud wire partially outlining their bodies, Dragnet-style. The headline at the top of each image reads, "Watch for cars when wearing headphones." They certainly grab your attention.
We've posted before on legislative efforts to prevent 'walking while listening' -- a campaign like this might be more effective in the long run than law enforcement would be.
[Via creativebits]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-10-2008 @ 11:14AM
Tacticus said...
Sydney, Australia Police Department does not exist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Police_Force would be the people making these ads
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1-10-2008 @ 11:53AM
Fred said...
They exist in out hearts.
I figure she's laying there because she tripped on that long-ass cord.
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1-10-2008 @ 11:54AM
Jerid Hill said...
Sorry guys, the reality is, there is no need for a law like this. The problem is not the responsibility of the government to stop people from doing stupid stuff, like walking into traffic without looking.
No matter how enthralled you are in your music, you always look at street crossings. Legislation isn't going to get to the root of the problem.... Teaching kids to act and think responsibly.
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1-10-2008 @ 12:26PM
General Grant said...
Those ads are absurd! Listening to your iPod while crossing the street can't kill you... but chewing on your earbuds while crossing the street juggling lit dynamite just may do the trick. The Dental association iPhone ads are an even worse idea. http://www.iphonesavior.com/2008/01/dental-group-de.html
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1-10-2008 @ 1:50PM
Jon said...
It seems like passing laws is the only thing governments know how to do today.
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1-10-2008 @ 2:21PM
General Grant said...
The road safety iPod ads are a perfect example of what government should not be involved in. Where are the statistics to back up their hysteria?
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1-10-2008 @ 3:49PM
Samuel said...
"We've seen clever iPod marketing from outside the US before" --wtf, open your eyes, have you never heard of European Cinema
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1-10-2008 @ 4:31PM
Mr.Clicky said...
So NSW Plod are saying iPods kill you? Apple Legal, come on down!
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1-10-2008 @ 4:35PM
Mr.Clicky said...
...and it's only a 3G model.
Now if they had a video iPod they could watch the TV version of the ad while crossing the road...
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1-10-2008 @ 5:57PM
rg said...
I guess then it's also time to pass a law against walking and talking on your mobile phone. I see more people jaywalking mindlessly talking on their mobile phone than I do listening to an iPod. Besides, when people get hit and killed for doing stupid stuff like that it's called Thinning the Heard. It's all part of nature. The more stupid people we can eliminate the better.
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1-11-2008 @ 2:36AM
Lustigson said...
Hear hear!
1-10-2008 @ 8:12PM
Burtonious said...
Its not a law thats been passed guys - its simply an awareness campaign - there have been a few silly people hit in Sydney city while walking out onto the road without looking/thinking because they've been funking away to their favourite beats...
The campaing hits the spot - nothing wrong with it and its clever marketing...
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1-10-2008 @ 8:13PM
Fritz Laurel said...
Man, my headphones cord is NEVER that untangled. I call BS.
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1-10-2008 @ 10:26PM
Kilian said...
This is the first ad targeted ad Darwin Award nominees. I say if they're too stupid to look at the traffic when listening to music the best thing that can happen for us is them being hit by a 10 ton truck. That's called a solution!
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1-11-2008 @ 5:54AM
Beau said...
You forgot to tag this post with Australia ;)
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1-11-2008 @ 5:57AM
Håkan said...
Too bad the girl in the ads dont look anything like a traffic victim. If they had some pictures of a REAL traffic accident, I believe people would even stop walking on the streets completely ^_^.
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