Lighten up on state fair ads

Some around the state aren’t warming to the latest work by Wichita firm Greteman Group on behalf of the Kansas State Fair. Especially out of their cartoon context, the new taglines do give new meaning to the idea of an advertising come-on — "Hang With the Hogs," "Check Out the Studs" and "Pick Up Some Bunnies." And if the agency didn’t expect that reaction, it should have. But critics might want to note that with the help of the Greteman Group’s engaging "It’s a Wild Ride, Baby" marketing campaign, fair attendance was up nearly 6 percent last year.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

8 Comments

  1. freedom freak
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 8:30 am | Permalink

    Personally, I think it’s refreshing! The normal run of the mill scream at you advertising makes ME want to scream! It’s funny, funny is good.

  2. political_mom
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 9:09 am | Permalink

    And why exactly are they having a cow about the ad? I think it’s cute.

  3. Brandi
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 9:21 am | Permalink

    This is exactly why I have to get out of Kansas, the most closed-minded place I’ve ever been in my life. The campaign is cute and witty, and not out of some box. Open your minds, have some fun. Why should Greteman have expected a negative reaction? Because it makes a few people gasp and blush? They need to get over it. Let’s get real, if they advertised the fair for what it really is, it would feature overweight people with corndogs drooling over RVs.

  4. craiger
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 10:21 am | Permalink

    Yep, it’s either one side of the bell curve or the other, personally, I like it.

    Oh, and Brandi, don’t let the screen door hit you in the butt on your way out of the state.

  5. AFN
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 10:27 am | Permalink

    I don’t get the big deal either. They’re cute, funny, and my mind didn’t even go to THOSE places until it was pointed out that people were upset – I had to go back and read them again to figure it out.

  6. Vaughn Tolle
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 11:37 am | Permalink

    I think the ads are soophomoric; the State Fair folks should try to get the fees back.

  7. outlander
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 11:44 am | Permalink

    The Kansas State Fair

    “Check out the chicks”

    That’ll be $5,000 please.

  8. J R
    Posted January 24, 2007 at 12:10 pm | Permalink

    Hey maybe they could use copy of those two rubes dressed up like roaches telling other people how to live at last years fair!