HSBC: Lumberjack

[armiesofthenight]

9mm for HSBC, cops, forestry workers, Joanna Newsom

KILL THEM ALL

[jomar14GL]

wats this all about? cops catching people living in the forest so that it can be lumberjacked?

[zyxek]

That was the strangest bank commercial I've ever seen. Joanna Newsom and finance somehow don't work together for me.

[celestexcore94]

what's the name of this song?:/

[dragonbrains]

@celestexcore94 "clam crab cockle cowrie" by joanna newsom

[celestexcore94]

@dragonbrains thank you:), very much.

[ArameoDios]

the video itslef is precious! the story is amazing! but, it's for a bank! so it's kinda "sell your soul to devil"

[Davigoss]

If HSBC are so keen on integrity why do they invest heavily in Sinar Mas who are rersponsible for mass deforestation in Indonesia - and the consequent destruction of natural habitats - in order to plant palm oil plantations?

[r0b3rt330]

0:34 - ish, policeman getting merked by a bear!

[cutestalien]

this was very unfortunate shoot, one actress lost her finger tip on set (

I PA'd on it.

[gianthuge]

Great Commercial !

[georgep922]

I don't get this commercial and I get alot of crazy stuff.

Forget how bad a rap banks have gotten, I can't imagine how the most ecleteic media buff cold watch this commercial and draw anything.

Although the wrestling of the bear made it all worth it.

[dsmfishgal]

What the hell did I just watch?  :|

[teecomb]

the point of this commercial wasn't to portray loggers or the cops as 'bad guys', but to show that they are all human. the relationship between the lumberjack and the environmentalist was to show that they were capable of seeing past differences in order to live together and having a postive relationship, they don't have to agree with everything to get along (even stuff that is important to them). i think the logger/tree-hugger relationship was supposed to equal a banker/customer relationship.

[teecomb]

i don't think it's the most effective because a relationship between these two is obviously way more complex than that with a bank. it's a touching story nonetheless and Joanna Newsom is amazing...though I find this version of Clam, Cockle, Cowrie terrible in comparison to the Ys Street Band EP one.

[cheesecakemousetrap]

Boy, this commercial dragged on. Is it any wonder people don't trust banks?

[gb215]

what a great commercial!

[ZackDeanMacAllister]

LOL 00:36

[radcaligirl]

I've protested events that my boyfriend at the time attended. That's just the way the world is...the commercial does make a good point but it's still a commercial.

[lasa101]

i see smokey the bear at 00:36

[alexwcannon]

Does this video have some relation to the government bailout of financial institutions?

[ErasmusRoterodamus]

Is it that easy to manipulate the average american customer?

Pathetic by any means.

[MIZELFRED]

C'est de la merde !!!

this is bullshit !!!

open your eyes,

"people will soon discover that money

cannot feed ones man"....

[lemaryorat]

there no other bank that can make cool advertisements like HSBC

[ScreamingChickenP]

This is appalling. Like they wouldn't know what the other is doing? They defiantly would not be dating or husband/wife in that kind of scenario

"You cant stay neutral on a moving train. - Howard Zinn.

HSBC just used this to appeal to people. This is ad is ridiculous, very interesting to watch, but it totally just boils down an issue that should not be appearing in ads for banks! Jeez...... not meant to offend anyone, but seriously!

[Gmanonskis]

It appears screamingchicken has some tolerance of opposing viewpoints issues. I'm a conservative dating a liberal and we always use this ad to point out how it works. So yes, it happens in the real world.

"But seriously!" Put down A People's History and read someone you don't agree with today.

[acedrums]

though i like this advert and its message, i must agree with ScreamingChicken...A difference of opinion politically is one thing but this advert represents an entirely different idealistic and moral viewpoint. I just cannot see it possible that a treehugger would marry/date the very person that seeks to violate her beliefs for money. that said, it is an effective ad, and it uses the music of Joanna Newsom so it gets my thumbs up.

[clared86]

especially found the part at 0.29 - 0.32 very touching

[clared86]

i thought that was such a sweet and moving short film. the director is obviously very talented, but i think that they should have released this as a short film instead of as a bank ad...

[dementedbear1215]

Agree about Joanna Newsom's track. She's an amazing song writer and it the music fits so well with the images.

[ChecMark2008]

I give credit to my bank for stepping outside their comfort zone by tackling such a thorny issue. Being from BC, Canada I know how emotional this touchy subject can be to many. Yes, their message was a commercial for the bank, but this thought provoking content beats boring old ads that suggest your bank is just your friend, sharing all your hopes and dreams. Bull! They just want to share your money. That's what they are there for in the first place. Cudos to HSBC for pushing the envelope!

[Pondracer]

Intense and original. Someone obviously has talent, do not lose your edge.

[Jam6444]

Needed a disclaimer. "No cats were harmed during the recording of this music."

[xstevenxpowellx]

HAHAHAHA

that made me laugh, but still

shame on you for disrespecting Joanna Newsom =P

thumbs up anyway for making me laugh =D

[TykoEaston]

This "tv spot" beautiful, really

sad that it ends in a logo

but the person behind it was an artist, perhaps looking for a big break

[acedrums]

Joanna Newsom just makes this ad. Yes it is slightly confusing and perhaps a little unlikely, but it is memorable and that is the trait of a good ad. Newsoms music is just out of this world. Complex, Poetic, Beautiful and above stunningly original. All the philistines out there who have no appreciation of truly passionate and unique music should be embarassed to slate this.

[happyjack39]

In my area...Western New York...It is not shown in it's entirety...Which leads to some confusion. It is a very intense commercial! JWW

[bbalch17]

Yeah it isn't.

GAY.

[lasa101]

wtf is this about???

[potshotvids]

Two messages;

1. People have can have diametrically opposed viewpoints but can and do get along despite them.

2. The advertiser wants you to know that they recognize that there are many viewpoints and that they will serve people regardless of their orientation.

Bonus point; The advertiser could care less about your viewpoint, they just want to handle your transactions and manage your funds for a profit. But we knew that anyhow. They just want to look folksy to regular folk.

[bbalch17]

Dumb bitch, lets be pissed at the dude who just bailed your ass out of jail. typical hoe.

[humaner]

stupid ,disturbing,politically,divisi­ve commercial seems someone let a pseudo cool ad jerk in the corporate head office without a leash.Why would a bank use this subject matter?Bankers are wankers who charge ya all the time.Don't make statements just give me lower bank statements ok

[ssscape]

Did anyone else see the WaMu add with the people in the kagaroo pockets? I knew they were toast then. Im not so sure what this add says. Perhaps that might and money (bailout) makes the winner in all this. Scary. The semi hidden language of adds.

[daomand]

the one of tv was half of this and made no sense. this cleared it up but they don't put this one up. that's just retarded

[atwhite57]

I was very moved by the clip. Imagine it was not an ad, just a YouTube vid; it would be great. I had to fight back tears. The point is people can love one another and still have different perspectives.

[upsbrown620]

But still, you see it and think it's very moving, thinking it's for Greenpeace membership, or just a message about the environment, until you see it's for HSBC, and then you get really confused.

[chunkylimey]

Obviously HSBC hire morons to do their marketing, so I don't trust who they hire to do their investing very much either.

[sidv192]

FUCK HSBC just for making this commercial

[godemperorofhell]

HSBC has a very efficient sustainable risk and environmental program. I know because I happen to work there.

[topchoices]

well I love trees but not that much!!How scary.

[andest01]

Seems like a lot of people seem to like the first 90 seconds, but dislike, or distrust the rest. Another similar video that generates this kind of ambivalence is sony's bravia commercials: watch?v=2Bb8P7dfjVw

[drunkennewfiemidget]

What an awful, awful commercial.

[cableraywire]

Remove the logo and it's a good short film.

[musicalarrows]

hsbc profits off of logging. this ad is just another one of their marketing schemes. they dont give a shit about whats good for people--they just want to make money. hsbc profits off of and FUNDS the climate crisis.

[flames9900]

Very well put together to deliver the message! (for those that missed it, the difference of opinion thing...) And I believe it to be her biker is her father, not lover. HSBC has a horrible track record when it comes to working with struggling home owners. HSBC charges incredibly high rates, fees, etc and their stockholders, etc love them. They also invest in overseas industry, taking advantage of all that means. I won't use 'em if I know what it is they sell/produce.

[wayfare0]

I think it's her lover - I've never called my father "honey"

[andest01]

mm... i've been thinking about that too... I think she said "You happy now, Henry, huh?"

[mary9870]

also you typically wouldn't refer to your father with his first name in a commercial if your trying to show its someones father. Most definitely its her boyfriend.

[missshai]

yeah this gets a wtf from me. its interesting but doesnt inspire faith in any company

[mandatorydistraction]

Why would two people with two conflicting viewpoints be lovers? Stupid ad.

[timpedersen]

You don't you remember what paula abdul said when she was dancing with that cartoon cat?

[xwizbt]

Ever had a relationship? You can't always agree about everything; an awful lot of 'being together' is recognising how to disagree without being disrespectful.

[mongo4000]

well spoken

[bermewjan77]

But the baddie in this story were NEVER the loggers - there were the board members of the logging corporation that pays their workers the minimum wage while cutting down old growth forest and ripping off the community.

What HSBC also fails to show is that THEY are in bed with the logging company!

They don't give a shit about YOUR values.

They are investing in the destruction of forest in Indonesia for the pail oil undustry - resulting in the displacement of native people from their homes!

[zeroinfinit]

To like a commercial you don't need to endorse who pays for it. I think it is very well done and beautiful. I also completely agree with you. The two people that get together in the end don't care about what the logging corporation stands for, or a bank for that matter, because they understand what society makes you do, and that's not always what you believe in. I think this commercial is unintentionally very clever.

[zeroinfinit]

@ bermewjan77

[BubbaGanoush2]

Worst. Commercial. Ever.

[BlueBerryWizard]

W T F?

[DrUrsus]

What the F? This has to be one of the WORST commercials I have ever EVER seen. The song sucks sooooooooo bad. It's worse than the Mike Gravel 2008 ad where he just stares at "you" for a long time, lol. WTF again.

[rancar29]

Excuse me...are you implying something about maybe Santa isn't real??? And neither are his flying reindeer???  Oh..you are heartless!

[dogbeardbirdbeer]

Environmentalists are confused. Logging companies are just doing their job. Bankers are wise men that we should trust and Santa Claus delivers gifts by means of a sled pulled by flying reindeer.

[rancar29]

The "music" ruins for me.

It's a stupid ad. Depressing music, depressing video. Certainly doesn't make feel confident!

[dogbeardbirdbeer]

so if they chose greenday you'd be on board??

[johnswansburg]

I posted a review of this ad on Slate, if anyone's curious to read more about the campaign and the approach HSBC is taking.

[Jazkiljok]

that was touching... a bald attempt at an emo-grab for your hearts not mind. they hope the warmth at the end somehow attaches to their lengthy and suspect portfolios. banks keep thinking if you love them, you won't mind when they make stupid credit swap bets that lose all your money or send of off their ceo's with golden parachutes.

[pwuk]

For all their "on message" ads, HSBC are useless twats (with he exception of FirstDirect).

Why are people uploading and watching (yes I just watched it) adverts anyway?

[3arnotg]

fucking ass cops

[shelovesartxo]

i don't see how in the world this is related to banking but i like the message

[thrillzonevideos]

i lost one of my homes to those bastards

ps. tacos rule

[keeda12345]

what happened to the bear?

[kkkkkristen]

ahh Joanna Newsom <3

[sdav9262]

I HATE ADVERTISING

[SagaciousMind]

What the hell is this commercial trying to say? :s

[HugoFitch]

HSBC mainstreams eco-terrorism. WTF this has to do with banking is anyone's guess.

[nickmcgivney]

that's just a cover name. I couldn't risk the open until adobear blew my cover. Excuse me, I have to get a salmon from the freezer now.

[moonrocker]

all hail capitalism

[adobear]

the bear at 37 seconds is my lover

[nickmcgivney]

Oh tell everybody why dontcha.

Last night was wild btw.

T br

[SleepySofie]

You aren't the bear!!!

LIES!

[nickmcgivney]

Grrr!

[SleepySofie]

I see through your mcgivney!

[morgan652]

the girl at 20 seconds is my sister

[gr406]

nobody cares.