Monday, February 9, 2009

Political Campaigns in Lebanon cont'd

As the 4th annual commemoration of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq el Hariri approaches, a new advertising has been broadcast in Lebanon. It's the rallying cry of the March14 coalition, for supporters to hit the streets. It is especially significant with the ever approaching International Tribunal and the related investigation, which is what the last frame mentions in Arabic.
This is the truth, the video starts. (The March14 camp have been calling for revealing the truth since day one, understandably.)



However, this is also the truth. The ad is another disappointing example, for this ex-advertising person, of blatant plagiarism. Find below the TBWA-Argentina ad which won a Silver Cannes Lion (one of the most prestigious advertising awards) in 2006. Ironically also entitled Truth. This is especially distressing as the Lebanese advertising community tends to consider itself as highly (or more) creative and innovative (than anyone else in the region). I wonder if it's not a reflection of the politics of the country as well, namely, looking and borrowing from abroad (for) solutions of internal problems.