In a sign of our degrading times, General Motors last week announced an online photo contest surrounding its new car the Saturn Astra.
As some readers might be a tad offended by the obvious off-color reference in this advertising stunt, the potentially sensitive details will come below the fold.
With that in mind, the following is from a July 17 GM press release (h/t Instapundit, picture courtesy Saturn):
Saturn today launched the “Kiss My Astra” national photo contest, offering Saturn fans an opportunity to show just how much they would love to win a new Saturn Astra.
Contestants can kiss their own Astra, a friend’s Astra or drop by any Saturn retailer and kiss their Astra, and then upload a photo of the kiss at www.ImSaturn.com. The contestant with the funniest, most creative photo – as selected by the online Saturn community – will win a 2008 Saturn XR 5-door.
Has to be a joke, right? Well, here's the information from the Saturn website:
Its time to show a little love for the Saturn Astra with ImSaturn’s Kiss My Astra photo contest!
Starting Monday, July 14, upload a photo of yourself kissing an Astra to the special section of ImSaturn.com. In September, an elite group of Astra-ologists will select 20 finalists. Visitors and members of ImSaturn will then vote for the winner.
Full rules are available here. And here is the entry form with pictures of "Recent Astra Kissers."
Finally, here's a picture of GM's Bob Lutz demonstrating how one properly kisses an Astra:
Which reminds me: in the late '70s, Dodge had a car called an Aspen. In one of the first television advertisements, an off-camera announcer asked owners, "How'd you come to pick your Aspen?"
As I recall, this ad campaign didn't last long.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
NS
July 21, 2008 - 17:59 ET by BlondeAre you certain this vehicle is an Astra?
From all of the smooch marks, I thought it was an Obama, after having been swarmed by the MsM.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
J, ROFL.
July 21, 2008 - 19:11 ET by R D HelmThat was great.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
What would YOU do for an
July 21, 2008 - 18:04 ET by Roger the ShrubberWhat would YOU do for an Astra?
i bet 10 bucks this guy
July 21, 2008 - 19:01 ET by TruthMongeri bet 10 bucks this guy wasn't raised mooslim:)
Why, was the car not
July 21, 2008 - 21:19 ET by Roger the ShrubberWhy, was the car not wearing a burka?
car sex is banned in
July 21, 2008 - 21:25 ET by TruthMongercar sex is banned in Islam
the car would be...be-headed - most likely
TM
July 21, 2008 - 21:27 ET by Noel SheppardTM,
Unless you're REALLY drunk...oh, that's right. They ban that, TOO! ns
→ Kiss my Astra
July 21, 2008 - 18:10 ET by Cool ArrowReminds me of the terrorist who tried to blow up a school bus.
Burned his lips on the tailpipe.
ba-dump (come on, you all laughed at that joke back in the day)
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
CA
July 21, 2008 - 18:12 ET by Noel SheppardCA,
I don't get it. :-) ns
→ NS
July 21, 2008 - 18:15 ET by Cool ArrowI'm just surprised I remember anything from "back in the day".
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
CA
July 21, 2008 - 18:17 ET by Noel SheppardCA,
I must say that's a new phrase I've never uttered, and shan't. :-) ns
→ It gets worse Noel
July 21, 2008 - 18:20 ET by Cool ArrowAfter all your contemporaries kick over, you're left with "back in my day"
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
"Liberalism"
July 21, 2008 - 18:17 ET by iveseenitallThis ad campaign and the nomination of Barry Obama are just the latest examples of our nation's slide into ignorance and immaturity. Modern "liberalism" at its worst.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
the main thing that offends
July 21, 2008 - 18:30 ET by TruthMongerthe main thing that offends nowadays is any positive mention of Jesus:)
whereas a pornographically gay-themed "kiss my astra" could easily be a disney ride in this day and age
NBers
July 21, 2008 - 18:15 ET by Noel SheppardNBers,
Honestly, does anybody for a second believe that the winner isn't going to be some gorgeous, scantily clad young woman with huge...tracts of land?!? ns
→ Ya Think?
July 21, 2008 - 18:18 ET by Cool ArrowAbove the fruited plain, I'd wager.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Judging by the short shorts
July 21, 2008 - 18:33 ET by Cureboy675Judging by the short shorts worn by the young girl in the "Up Your Arsenal" T-shirt that I currently see in the advertisment here on Newsbusters, I would have to say that would likely be the case.
Tell me again the difference between a "Kiss My Astra" ad campaign and selling T-shirts that say "Up Your Arsenal"
who says there's a
July 21, 2008 - 18:38 ET by TruthMongerwho says there's a difference...:)?
I would say there is no
July 21, 2008 - 18:41 ET by Cureboy675I would say there is no difference.
No, no, no, no, no. Wait a second. The "Kiss my Astra" bit. You know, the "off-color reference" that shows "a sign of our degrading times". That wasn't shown until after the fold.
On the other hand, the chic in the "Up Your Arsenal" ad is viewable the instant you arrive at newsbusters.org.
OK then - if it brings you
July 21, 2008 - 18:43 ET by TruthMongerOK then - if it brings you joy - mazeltov to ya:)!
→ Only the audience, cureby
July 21, 2008 - 18:46 ET by Cool ArrowSorry you didn't get screened for age eligibility before joining NB.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
ok...so NB is not quite
July 21, 2008 - 18:47 ET by TruthMongerok...so NB is not quite the MSM
but other than that - THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE DARN IT
You're right. The instant I
July 21, 2008 - 18:52 ET by Cureboy675You're right. The instant I hear about General Motors Advertising Department. The first words that come to my mind are: Mainstream Media.
which means there may
July 21, 2008 - 19:04 ET by TruthMongerwhich means there may indeed be hope for you:)
G-MAD . . . Not
July 21, 2008 - 19:52 ET by NoMoreClintonsActually, there is no "General Motors Advertising Department" that dreams up these things. The Detroit ad agency Campbell-Ewald has had the GM account forever and a day. So complain to them about it. Of course, the GM biggies had to sign off on it . . .
Now, now. Don't get all
July 21, 2008 - 18:50 ET by Cureboy675Now, now. Don't get all like that. She seems like an accomplished and intelligent 19 year old who undoubtedly agrees with the conservative cause.
I'm just saying. Shouldn't we be chastising the folks who made that ad because they seem to be just as guilty of supplying us another "sign of our degrading times"
But seeing's how the folks who ran that ad help pay the bills...That probably won't fly.
you cant' be
July 21, 2008 - 18:50 ET by TruthMongeryou cant' be serious:)
you nut!
→ None cureboy
July 21, 2008 - 18:40 ET by Cool ArrowI remember an airline TV commercial featuring stewardesses in hotpants. "We move our tails for you" was the line at the end of the commercial as the tail of the plane turned onto the runway.
The market, and the Women's Movement decided that one.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
a couple decades too
July 21, 2008 - 18:44 ET by TruthMongera couple decades too early:(
although the hooters airline shoulda been a big hit - what gives there?
CB
July 21, 2008 - 18:53 ET by Noel SheppardCB,
I'm surprised that ad is still here to tell you the truth. That said, I have control over what I write, and not over the ads. It was my belief that some readers might be put off by the off-color nature of this contest, and felt it appropriate to place a disclaimer. ns
I like the tv shirt girls Noel
July 21, 2008 - 18:58 ET by shawn228Looks like you guys are getting more and more big name advertisers. I saw State Farm Insurance yesterday, Lunesta today and of course our very own Mr Shy. Does not matter who it is as long as it keeps NB running right? Might I suggest Hooters next? :-)
Some folks can dish it out but cannot take it
i know sarc would be on
July 21, 2008 - 19:02 ET by TruthMongeri know sarc would be on board!
Oh I won't argue with you
July 21, 2008 - 19:06 ET by Cureboy675Oh I won't argue with you there. They are free to solicit whoever they want and run whatever ads will help bring in the dough. Sex sells, no doubt about it.
But to then turn around and say the mindset behind those ads is wrong and immoral and corrupts society and so forth...Just seems kind of unseemly to me.
with saturn involved i'm
July 21, 2008 - 18:36 ET by TruthMongerwith saturn involved i'm afraid it will most likely be some butch lesbo newlyweds french kissing the car with a "Just Married Our Car" sign visible in the back window
noel, ...huge...tracts of land?
July 21, 2008 - 19:20 ET by R D HelmLOL-Was that another Monty Python show I missed?
Honestly, I really don't find this offensive at all. In fact, I chuckled at the sight of 'ol Bob Lutz planting one squarely on the behind of that car.
As for the winner, I bet it'll be a gay guy. :-)
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
"Honestly, does anybody for
July 21, 2008 - 19:35 ET by ckc1227"Honestly, does anybody for a second believe that the winner isn't going
to be some gorgeous, scantily clad young woman with huge...tracts of
land?!? ns"
Let's hope so, though huge tracts of land aren't necessary. A couple of medium sized melons will be fine. :o
*ears perk up*
July 21, 2008 - 21:14 ET by Roger the Shrubber*ears perk up*
Hussein
July 21, 2008 - 18:26 ET by ScrapironName is Obambi and the lame stream media will cover it with kisses and suck the tail pipe clean daily.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
→ Yep Scrap
July 21, 2008 - 18:29 ET by Cool ArrowAnd if I remember correctly, that tailpipe was chrome plated yesterday
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
the best looking "Astra" wins?
July 21, 2008 - 18:31 ET by Gary HallWell, I was going to suggest that it might depend on the condition on the Astra..
..but you're on to it - they aleady think that their Astra is really cute - so someone with an even better looking Astra (and those spacious "tracts of land..") will have to be the winner. (;~> gh
Gary
July 21, 2008 - 18:36 ET by Noel SheppardGary,
I wonder if one of the options available is a racing suspension so that you could get a Tight Astra? ns
gay guys have an unfair
July 21, 2008 - 18:40 ET by TruthMongergay guys have an unfair advantage here regarding what can be done with an Astra
well, if Truth be known TruthMonger..
July 21, 2008 - 18:45 ET by Gary Hallwell, if Truth be known TruthMonger.. I'm a happily married man to a wonderful woman with family, and so is Noel ... the gay thing surely was a generic unrelated thing about others .. suddenly, I'm looking over my shoulder...
(;~> gary
well ya see Gary, saturn is
July 21, 2008 - 18:49 ET by TruthMongerwell ya see Gary, saturn is the GLBT auto of choice - I thought that was common knowledge - sorry:)
GLBT?
July 21, 2008 - 19:07 ET by Gary HallOK you can tell me - I don't want to look it up. And I was just teasing you (um - not in a manly way.. or anything like that). gary
Grease, Lettuce, Bacon and
July 21, 2008 - 20:03 ET by TruthMongerGrease, Lettuce, Bacon and Tomato - stuffed between a couple of sesame seed "buns"
or maybe beaten in a burlap sack, summers in rangoon - pretty standard really
From what I understand,
July 21, 2008 - 18:48 ET by shawn228From what I understand, females like to have things done with Astra as well.
Good thing they did not focus on the interior, the slogan would have been.
"How would you like to get inside my Astra"
Some folks can dish it out but cannot take it
At the risk of getting railed
July 21, 2008 - 18:35 ET by HeavyChevyI really don't see anything about this, it seems pretty harmless, but then again I am a "GM" faithful. :-)
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
"Manufacturing With The Mek", Travel Channel
July 21, 2008 - 18:37 ET by SickofLibsI was once unfortunate enough to own a Saturn SL-2, and I don't find this is even remotely amusing, GM.
Total POS. If the Mek Tribe began building Saturns in New Guinea, they'd have better QC.
"Oogba, can I borrow your stick? I must adjust the valve lash."
I'm sure I'm in the minority here....
July 21, 2008 - 18:39 ET by shawn228but I think the campaign they got going is actually pretty creative.
Some folks can dish it out but cannot take it
the complaint here is the
July 21, 2008 - 18:42 ET by TruthMongerthe complaint here is the unsavory play on words
even perverts can be said to be "creative" once in a while
This is how it starts,
July 21, 2008 - 19:50 ET by balboaThis is how it starts, people! First it's a "Kiss My Astra" contest, next they'll want to marry their sisters and screw their pets!!!
bal
July 21, 2008 - 19:56 ET by Noel Sheppardbal,
Please elaborate. So, as a result of this ad, folks will marry their sisters BUT have sex with their pets?
Is this a statement about how attractive the PETS are, or how unattractive the sisters? Please advise. ns
It's the slippery slope,
July 21, 2008 - 20:01 ET by balboaIt's the slippery slope, Noel! My God, the slippery slope! Saturn, a car company named after a planet named after a false idol, is leading us down the primrose path to utter moral destruction! You're next! You're next! You're next!
bal
July 21, 2008 - 20:06 ET by Noel Sheppardbal,
The slippery slope? This is an ad for the Saturn Astra, not Astroglide!!!
Now THAT'S a Freudian slip!!! :-) ns
In protest, I'm having
July 21, 2008 - 20:17 ET by balboaIn protest, I'm having someone crack a paddle over my Astra while I say "Thank you sir, may I have another!" while sitting in the front seat.
its a nice image:)
July 21, 2008 - 20:54 ET by TruthMongerits a nice image:)
drilling in Anwar now
July 21, 2008 - 20:08 ET by TruthMongerdrilling in Anwar
now THERE'S a slippery slope
my garsh it could lead to utter caribou destruction
even bal's on board! how
July 21, 2008 - 20:00 ET by TruthMongereven bal's on board!
how bad is that:)?
hi bal! we know coarse language is not a big deal to you
unless the word "Jesus" is referenced positively:)
eh
July 21, 2008 - 22:14 ET by candanceI'm surprised it's taken them this long to do it. Where I work at I hear profanity and dirty jokes nonstop, from the time I walk in until I leave, so I've become somewhat callous to it now.
I always thought the "Up Your Arsenal" girl was annoying, but I'm in the minority here.
Uranus
July 21, 2008 - 22:30 ET by nkviking75Could be worse. They could have picked another planet for their brand name. Then people might have had to kiss Uranus.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
I don't mean to point
July 22, 2008 - 07:12 ET by clarkfkI don't mean to point fingers here, but - I look to the right of this article and see an ad for "ThoseShirts.com." The ad features a very sexy lady being very sexy, wearing a shirt which says "Up Your Arsenal."
Does this not seem ironically hypocritical?
I wouldn't go that far
July 22, 2008 - 08:06 ET by sarcasmoSince NB has little control over such ad content. But it's certainly funny that because of "ThoseShirts.com" models this site has continually featured hotter women on average than even "HowardStern.com." Not that I'm complaining! :) I enjoy the girls, and to pay for hosting a site with traffic like this NB certainly needs to run ads.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.