Sometimes I get sent press releases: today is one of those days.
“DATING 2.0: CREATE YOUR PERFECT PARTNER WITH CITROËN DS3
Citroën has unveiled the latest relationship innovation – Dating 2.0 – a pioneering online service that allows users to create their perfect partner through interactive technology – the 21st century way to make a date.
Celebrating the unique, customisable design of DS3, Citroën has produced two original films, one for either sex, demonstrating an innovative and unique match-making process. Both films can be viewed on Citroën’s Official YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/citroenactive
By clicking on www.dating2.co.uk, visitors will find a bespoke online facility that invites them to configure their perfect date. After selecting their male or female preference, users can choose their desired characteristics for the face, legs and torso of their ideal date. Finally, visitors can meet their perfect digital partner, together with a matching DS3. Users can share their Dating 2.0 experience with friends as well as requesting a DS3 brochure or a test drive.”
And here’s Citroën’s film for the men:
The PR email that accompanied the press release informs me that “It’s just a bit of light entertainment but I hope you have fun with it.”
Strangely, I’m not in the slightest bit entertained by this sexist shite. In fact, it’s a good job I don’t drive and I’m not looking to buy a car. Because if I did and if I was, I certainly wouldn’t be buying a bloody Citroën!
Too Much To Say For Myself 
Ah every time I’m feeling sorry for myself, I thank the imaginary deity that at least I don’t work in advertising.
Just so I know….where’s the sick bag! Seriously!!!
Seconded! Citroën has just lost me as a customer for good.
Hah! Wow! Okay – I hate to say it, but that was sooooo bad, I found it kind of a hoot. But only in a context like this. To think that this actually was released into the wild… It’s appalling. We have to tell the world.
Was this only on the website or was it shown – or intended to be shown on TV?
By the way, I’m the guy who wrote that piece about your tweet. I’m really, really sorry if it came across as any kind of attack or general criticism of your writing. It – that specific tweet – just seemed like a useful example for discussion, as part of a whole series of such discussions I’ve been working on, all looking at recent tweets, or sequences of tweets, from people I follow on Twitter.
No worries zerode. Hope you don’t mind that I had some fun with it earlier 😉
Well I don’t drive either Cath but I’m thinking of learning. (only failed my test on 6 things last time after all). So I could not buy a citroen (little point saying I’m not going to buy one if I’m not going to buy any car after all). But also so I could buy a huge gas guzzling car to piss off the tosspots that made that terrible 10:10 film about how funny it is blowing up school children. (Bet they’re rolling in the aisles in Darfur) Have you seen it? It’s enough to make you desinsulate yer loft and crank yer heating up to boiling point. Seriously people – advertising tip no 1: Do not piss off your target audience, it really doesn’t work. Advertising tip no 2: Your target audience is rarely 15 year old boys, cos they don’t have much money, and they don’t spend the little they do have either buying cars or fighting climate change. In the meantime a big FU to both Citroen and eco activists.
Okay. Look, this was a nightmarish ad. Paleolithic, really.
But…. The Citroen 2cv is still my dream car. Particularly this model – which I first saw and fell in love with in some French sexy, intellectual college student movie at a rep cinema theatre in Berkeley in 1980 or 81…
I’m due to get a car soon and Citroen was in the frame until now – though to be fair I couldn’t quite live with the idea of having the word ‘Picasso’ on the hatchback door. He may have been a genius artist, invented Cubism etc, but he was still a shit, and particularly to women. I’m not much of a petrolhead really – but there seems to be some really great French cars, design-wise at least – HTF do their advertisers and marketing get it soooo… wrong, so often?
I’ve just seen the (now pulled) 10:10 video Polly.
OMFG!
*turns on every heating appliance in the house and opens all windows and doors*
I know! I know! You know I’m a bit of an eco campaigner sceptic at the best of times, since it’s my firm belief they’re all upper class hypocrites (well Prince Charles, Zac Goldsmith and Sting don’t inspire loving thoughts let’s face it), but FFS, REALLY. I might have to watch ‘Top Gear’ at this rate….
Well, Cath, I can honestly say that my faithful old Citroen Xantia never fails, despite a few quirks (although I did fit those “mod” wheels myself!)
Once when I had left the engine running whilst visiting a cash machine, a worried-looking woman came rushing up to me, and pointing to the car, she she exclaimed: “Your car’s going up and down!”. This was actually quite correct, due to the action of the hydro-pneumatic suspension on this model at low engine speeds. I replied:” Oh, that’s normal on those”, whereupon she turned away in obvious disbelief!
As they used to say in France: “Quand vous avez dit Citroen vous avez tout dit”, which (stretching my knowledge of the French language to its fullest extent) means something like: “When you said Citroen, you said everything”.
I guess they’re nearly right there! 🙂
Once when I had left the engine running whilst visiting a cash machine,
Gosh, you’re such an eco vandal Gulfstream 5, I think I love you (we can work round the Citroen).
Polly – Yes, I’m quite a climate sceptic (not septic I hope) despite the Citroen!
Ciao!
Cath
As someone who has stated that the Citroen ads are sexist shite I would like to read your condemnation of the following publicity stunt.
http://www.raceforlife.org/about-us/latest-news/e-male-app.aspx
This is the virtual tattooing of a bunch of topless male celebs in order to encourage women to take part in a female only charity event. Quite what the connection is between tattooed male torsoes and walking 5 km. I have yet to discover.
Well I’m not Cath but I think it’s a bunch of heterosexist shite Dave – presumably race for life is only open to heterosexual women then? Not quite as bad as faceless nameless body parts though. And presumably they volunteereed to do it for Charidee (not to mention publicity).
What can I say: it’s just wrong Dave.
And I don’t get the connection between tattooed male torsoes and walking 5km either.
I drive a Citroen and it’s been fab. A million times better than the Ford that didn’t like rain and refused to start every time it even got a sniff of damp. I don’t look after the beast particularly well though, so take that Citroen you wankers.