JW ad and Oxford: Spot the difference
By Frances Reed
Jack Wills have released an Autumn advertising campaign set in and around Oxford University. The campaign features shots of models frolicking around the Radcliffe Camera and Balliol College library, emulating the daily lives of students. In a promotional video models browse through library books whilst smiling constantly, play with an umbrella and perform frisky activities in a punt. Models are seen embracing amorously throughout.
A second year history & economics student said he thought the advertisements were “misleading, especially the use of models. People have to realise that even Oxford is not perfect; it doesn’t help the image that we’re all posh twats”.
But Sam Rabinowitz, a student at Balliol said: “This, for me, is a natural fusion of two of Britain’s best loved institutions. Jack Wills (est. 1999) as a brand represents history, heritage and effortless class. But even more importantly, as ‘University Outfitters’ par excellence, they have shown that they are completely in touch with Oxford students.”
‘The extent to which the new promotional video captures the essence of student life here is uncanny, and I think that Oxford is finally getting the exposure it needs to inspire the masses to more critical thought. Why eat food with a knife and fork when you could just throw it in the air for you or a friend to catch? Why use an umbrella to shield against the rain when you could just play with it? Why buy a whole pack of cards when, in reality, only one will suf- fice for any purpose? Questions we solved long ago are now being thrown out for public contemplation, and we’d like to thank Jack Wills for this conscientious educational drive.”
Despite this, another Balliol student was left unimpressed: “Balliol College rejected a Jack Wills sponsorship deal for the rugby team because they felt like we’d be selling out. This would have saved college a couple of grand each year. Just weeks after rejecting this, college let Jack Wills do a modelling shoot in our library during 9th week (presumably college got paid for this) when many first years were revising before prelims/mods.’
Other students disagreed. Second year Carmella Crinnion said: ‘The advert makes me proud to be a part of Oxford. A staggeringly sublime testament to the awesomeness that is Jack Wills and blind conformity, it was outstanding and awesome in equal measure. Haters gonna hate, but I’m with Wills all the way.’
3rd year Maths student Jack Cox said: “OMG, this advertising campaign is increds. It speaks to me on so many levels. I love it even more than my fave Gilet. Still can’t believe there were real life Wills models in my college. This is like the best day ever. The adverts are just so realistic. It’s literally like they’ve taken an average day in my life at Oxford and got some JW models to act it out!”
Craig Lam-burt
29/10/2011 at 18:29
Is that Jack Cox guy stupid? Can’t believe he used a word like ‘increds’ for reals. Moron. Same goes for Robonwits or whatever he’s called. How can a company established in 1999 represent history and heritage?! 1999′s only like 14 or 15 years ago! Idiot.
Elton John
30/10/2011 at 11:12
1999′s 12 years ago.
Napoleon Bonaparte
30/10/2011 at 11:26
I despair.
Arnhem
30/10/2011 at 13:10
Trololololololol
Craig Lam-burt
30/10/2011 at 20:42
Oh yeah!!!! Cheers Elton, thanks for clearing that up!! P.S. are you the real life Elton John?
George Michael
31/10/2011 at 01:25
course he is
Napoleon Bonaparte
31/10/2011 at 04:27
As, indeed, AM I
Craig Lam-burt
31/10/2011 at 08:14
Why do you call yourself Napoleon Bonaparte if you’re actually Elton John, then?!
Real Elton John
31/10/2011 at 13:23
No, no I’M Elton John! This man is an impostor.
Craig Lam-burt
31/10/2011 at 14:03
Amazing! I love your work xxx
James Ville-La-Lard
01/11/2011 at 01:02
Elton,
Which song do you prefer: Candle in the Wind (1997 version) or Tiny Dancer?
William Nelson
01/11/2011 at 01:14
Judging by their “handbook,” the values this brand celebrates are youth and wealth. When these two are combined, they basically amount to “Daddy’s money.” Thanks are due to the powers that be for helping to set this university’s public image back by 50 years.
Craig Lam-burt
01/11/2011 at 02:13
Hi James, good to hear from you again. Interesting question actually; they both resonate deeply for me. I think I probably prefer Tiny Dancer, because I’ve always thought it was likely to be about me. I’d love to know from Elton if that’s right.
Reginald Dwight
02/11/2011 at 02:29
I think you’ll find neither Elton John nor ‘Real Elton John’ are actually Elton John. That would be me.
And for the record, my favourite song to perform is Rocket Man. Though ‘Tiny Dancer’ was indeed written about you Craig.
Alex
12/11/2011 at 17:07
Err, I think the Jack Cox guy is taking the piss.
Leo
21/11/2011 at 10:52
nope I believe that my friends is sarchasm. In fact I think all the positive comments are sarchastic. but the first one is subtle enough for the person who wrote this article not to pick up on
Craig Lam-burt
05/12/2011 at 12:37
Hi Leo,
Thanks for your feedback. I’m not sure I understand what sarchasm is but if that’s what you say I’m doing then maybe you’re right!! I just try and keep it real most of the time.
James Ville-La-Lard
06/12/2011 at 20:09
Are you stupid, Craig?
Sarchasm’s when someone says something that clearly isn’t true and they know it’s not true. So it’d be like if I said “Craig Lam-burt’s a really bright guy”.
I agree with Leo. Everything about the article’s sarchastic. I even think Frances Reed is being sarchastic by using these sarchastic comments; she’s being meta-sarchastic if you will.
Craig Lam-burt
09/12/2011 at 17:08
your such a schlad mate, me and leo were just chatting and you had to make it all personal by bringing up my (good) intelligence
Nathan
21/12/2011 at 15:42
*sarcasm
Lady Gaga
21/12/2011 at 16:08
I like turtles
What the fuck...
23/03/2012 at 09:12
Did I just read? I’m talking more about the comments than the article here too…