Religion lessons in schools: This spot has been running for two years on the Macedonian Television.
The speaker speaks German. I guess this linguistic distance increases the effect and has more influence: German as a “European” language, Europe as a destination.
This spot is also running on MTV2 with Macedonian and Albanian subtitles because Macedonia is a multicultural country.
Correct. Einstein never spoke of the Christian god. He rather was a pantheist.
Posted by Jerome | 20-10-2010 12:25
I expected comments on my post. :-) The advertising reflects the situation in Macedonia, where three religions are revived. Macedonia was a part of former Yugoslavia, where ideology of communism and socialism has reigned (Until about 15 years ago). Macedonia is Orthodox Christian, but in this country are living also Catholics and Muslims. Each of these religious groups insist on religious lessons in schools. I guess here is the solution offered by the state in order to avoid conflicts. Albert Einstein, here in advertising, is out of place. Albert was originally Jewish . He said once about the faith and God (his answer to the letter from rabbi Herbert Goldstein - New York 1929): “I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in the legal harmony of the being. Not in a God, who spend his time on with the fate and actions of men. “ The whole message of this Ad can be misinterpreted. It is simply a mirror image of the inner conflict that all former communist and socialist countries have: want to be away from communism - be back to religion and tradition.
Posted by tatjana | 20-10-2010 14:50
The Bible Belt Americans are going to love this campaign. Me, not so much.
As I commented on Copyranter’s pickup of this post, if God were to advertise, I would hope that he/she would use it to tell people to do good works (like most of the campaigns featured here) rather than do a shameless and deceptive self-promotion campaign.
I am not a believer, but I still like to think that the God worshipped by family and friends is a more responsible advertiser than Big Oil.
Interesting to see how the issue is being addressed in different cultures, though, and to discuss controversial issues on Osocio. But just like the cynical CSR campaigns we feature here once in a while as conversation pieces, I also doubt that this campaign is truly serving the public good — even in post-Communist Eastern Europe.
Posted by Tom Megginson | 20-10-2010 16:07
Tom, omg, (bad) news run fast ! :-) or I left a lot of dust behind me ... like any good horse. :D
But I don´t think that God would be in the advertising business at All. #copyranter
I think there was not a decisive cultural note, but “orchestra” had to choose a diplomatic and impartial piece. And Albert was named as ambassador.
I think Moses, Jesus and Mohammed at a round table I would like more. :-)
Religionscience in any religion is not easy studies, but I doubt that such small children should have to do in school with them.
My son was two years in a Protestant (German) kindergarten. He has brought home sometimes strange books, with illustrations, where St. Peter is sitting in the dungeon. OK, my son was 3.5 - and I think, too young for this.
Posted by tatjana | 20-10-2010 17:11
Oh, and welcome to Osocio, Tatjana!
The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about…
- T
Posted by Tom Megginson | 20-10-2010 17:34
:-) Thank You Tom! I am happy to be here!
Posted by tatjana | 20-10-2010 17:44
I guess here is the solution offered by the state in order to avoid conflicts. Albert Einstein, here in advertising, is out of place.
the moment you realize your potential,work on that .you will always be some where. the one think with us Africans we don’t know our potential that is why we are still back words, let us start with out we have and we shall get what we don’t have. innovation, development, power and all the beauties can come your way if you need them and you work for the. team work is the way to go for Africa. don’t be pushed into what you don’t love ,passion is success and not the pleasure you get doing something you don’t love. if farming is your passion, do it . innovate it and it will take some where. look at an instance am a student of information technology but am just not looking at it as IT but a starting point in my passion which is business. and hopefully i will achieve my dream if i don’t sleep , WAKEUP AFRICA
Posted by namuyimbwa hamida misha | 9-11-2010 13:39
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