Converse "Pageant" Commercial

[StarsAreForStaring]

lol 25 dislikes....uhh...burn on those people....

[trioro]

la wea mala conxetumare

[Leslie12061992]

lol i got it off of myyearbook as well....wow...this is...wow i've never seen n e converse commercials b4

[fallenlove13]

thats the same reason im watching this too lol... yearbook is sooooooo addicting. xD

[Bornschein]

I loved it.

Sure, they put their logo on the end, but I don't think the message was to market their shoe. Well, not completely. I think of the logo on the end as a signature. Like how an artist signs his or her masterpiece.

Yes, it is disgraceful that people need a commercial to think freely. But you don't have to think of it that way. Most people watching this commercial have nothing better to do and too much time. This commercial just might be the inspiration we all need.

[rayray4evuh]

WoW

It's just a commercial

They're just trying to get people to buy their shoes. There is no underlying message or anything.

It's an ad...

[Hamano17]

Then you must have no common sense at all.

[rayray4evuh]

You're right

I dont

Thank you for making me realize that

[iheartpete1]

wtf?

..i don't get it

[WaitingToBeFound]

this commercial is just an insult to people who ARE trying to make things a little better...

and damn, i used to kinda like converse...

[xhisemogirlx]

I don't get it.

[Hamano17]

Why is everybody saying this is fucking up a good message?

[prospect25]

they're fucking up a good message.

i lost my hope in humanity.

[bastardsonofmaniacs]

It's pretty bad when the world's teens need a commercial advertising the seemingly number one most worn shoe to tell them to think for themselves when the shoes the ad is urging on you are the same ones everyone else is wearing. "Let's wear what everyone else is wearing to be individuals!" Dumbasses....

[comatose19]

I totally agree. That's exactly what I thought when I watched this! lol

[Espien00]

Talk about fucking up a good message. Nobody will ever take that seriously.

[UnspokenAssociate]

personally, i think its a brilliant ad

the message is great

but the fact that its used to market something belittles the point of it

im not saying anything against the brand, because i love converse

it just kind of takes away from the whole epic message they've created

[WaitingToBeFound]

i found this video off of myyearbook and if i hadnt read the article about it, i would have thought it was an Above the Influence commercials

[GreyEyesCrying]

lol, the same reason I"m watching this video...curse yearbook fr being so addictive i must watch and read what they say! lol

[sociopathicregret]

I'm a cynical asshole who hates idiocy and mindless consumerism and I find this ad to be utterly insulting to the messages I attempt to consistently convey to other individuals.

[sociopathicregret]

I'm a cynical asshole who hates idiocy and mindless consumerism and I find this ad to be utterly insulting to the messages I attempt to consistently convey to other individuals.

[gozags65]

all these negative comments... i don't wear converse but i really think the message is a good one.

[sociopathicregret]

It's a good message being abused in the name of reckless consumerism.

[blampow]

"i don't wear converse but i really think the message is a good one."

But what's the *context* of the good message?

I liked this ad too, until the logo appeared. Then I questioned my sanity, because ... they're deliberately taking the best rhetoric that can be brought against their own corporate ad campaigning and using it for themselves, without even bothering to neuter it first. This just defuses any attempt to counter it: it's like culture-jamming-jamming.

I fear They may have won.

[Slaphappy1975]

The anti-commercial commercial. Brought to you by Nike via Converse. Obvious ad is obvious.

[leechowning]

obvious /b/tard is obvious

[flamingmenudo]

This ad is pandering bullshit.

[wvben]

Why are we sitting here watching American Idol? Dutifully phoning in our votes...

[anthrax1991]

converse are sell outs...i use to like chucks..but i just hate it when i see so many wannabe emos and preps wear them..and they act like they know everything which is retarded because those emo kids think they are originally used for skating.

ever since nike bought converse the price went up to 40 i remember when they were only 20 to 25 bucks the most when they were made in the usa. this is a cheesy commercial they made with the millions of money they got. screw endorsements 2

[manwalrus]

Yes, because Nike raised prices, Converse are sellouts. Because "wannabe emos and preps" wear them, they are sellouts. Because they were bankrupt before Nike bought them out, they are sellouts. Nice logic there.

[poprcksandcoke]

hahaha...wow...chill the fuck out. i mean, don't get me wrong, you make a valid point. it is a marketing gimmick and the shoes don't make you different, but they're trying to sell their product. everyone does it. you're being melodramatic saying that it makes you "sick"...haha...shut the fuck up and do something other than bitch at people on youtube all day.

[HayabusaNoTsuchi]

hey everybody! be emo and you'll be different!!

[demonikreaper]

2nd that! an emo kid probably gave you a thumbs down.

[HayabusaNoTsuchi]

lol not yet!

[EnigmaticDawg]

This is is THE most IRONIC advertising campaign I have EVER seen.

Converse is full of it. "Buy our shoes and be an individual"

what a load of garbage.

they sell sweatshop sneakers just like everybody else.

Id rather go ahead and buy Nikes, just because they arnet throwing some "be different" advertising BS at you like converse is.

[theglowingstars]

Nike owns converse.

[demonikreaper]

HAHAHAHA THE IRONY.

[andythedood]

yes i agree it is quite humourus<<<(dammit how do you spell that) :)

[Hamano17]

humorous**

:)

[likeno1sbusiness]

Thank you! i thought i was the only one who gets pissed by these commercials. The Pepsi one is worse though...

[Dominicano1197]

THIS IS SO FUCKING STUPID. "be oyurself...don't let anyone tell you who you are. pave your own road. meanwhile, BUY OUR SHOES AND LOOK LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!"

what a bunch of fucking cunts.

[pezkingska]

OH SHUT THE FUCK UP

[Dominicano1197]

go fuck yourself asswipe

[SlaughterMcKill]

Of course, the probably grey-haired assholes who put this out, perhaps even the writers, don't believe a damn word of it. Or maybe they do. Either way, it remains standard marketing strategy. Throw out some "Different" ad every now and then that turns heads and hopefully the sales rates of your sweatshop-manufactured footware will increase. The extent of corporate domination over the West is so absolute that they're openly mocking themselves.

[parlanedwards]

im NOT dead yet...?????

[conchalibre]

oooo, you're "specifically" banning them? i bet they're busy making alterations to their entire strategy right now. it's so threatening. so...specific.

[schlieffenska]

*haha*

[Milez5858]

The only thing I want from a shoe company is quality shoes. There's no message here. It sounds like a 60's teenager in the contemplative state of an acid trip.

I'm specifically banning their product until they redeem themselves somehow.

[schlieffenska]

Dude, I don't care what era you're from, acid trips are still the same. haha. It wasn't just in the 60s when people dropped acid.

[treeboz]

buy our shoes and you become an individual... just like everyone else :P

this commercial and the other one about the garage band make me sick...

[perkywa07]

SUCKERS!!!

"All those dissatisfied with the USA and showing a tendency towards actually doing something about it please stand up...we have a FEMA camp ready for you"

Ron Paul supporters to the front of the line...

[d3can]

good ad.... fuck the producer

[socoamarettojustine]

moozeditty, you summed up what i was trying to say perfectly.

[AnimeSnoopy]

Even if from the mouths of corporate america, the message is the same, and people need to hear it. If people would just accept that others can give them advice that bashes their lifesyle and not just feel insulted, realize that a message may be harsh but true.

[moozeditty]

I'm not insulted because it's not my lifestyle. I'm just calling bull.

[streetbeatpoet]

whatever the intentions are with these new ads, i think the message rocks.

[Hackypro]

i saw this and i was stoned and high and seriously believed a bomb was gonna drop on me until i saw converse on there. i was waiting for the sirens.

and ebaumers bringing this up are flameheads

[sortilegus]

the reason i like this ad has nothing to do with the fact that it's by converse. sure, they're the ones behind the commercial, but it's just refreshing to see that somebody other than a fictional character named tyler durden is saying we need to stop sitting on our asses.

[sortilegus]

oh, by the way, moozeditty is a troll.

[socoamarettojustine]

it would be one thing if they came out and said

yea, we're a subsidary of nike

but they don't, you have to find that out yourself.

it's the exact same faux-rebellion bullshit corporations have been feeding us for decades.

and to those who think the commercial is actually cool:

i'm sorry but this is just another marketing tool used to get at that certain demographic..the one converse shoes are aimed at in the first place.

you know the one.

[ShAoLiNShAdOw]

after watching this, i looked down at my hands 2 see that i jus bought 5 pairs of chucks.... whoa

[slythebad]

if it was just another public service announcement without the converse logo at the end, everyone would just laugh at it like the "above the influence" ones. but since plenty of people's favorite shoe company (which has been supported by the underground and free thinking for 100 years) has its back behind it, people are taking it seriously.

[sociopathicregret]

That's bullshit. People would actually take it more seriously. The above the influence ones are a joke because they're incredibly pretentious.

[jennacyde66]

Not to mention the fact that they make marijuana out to be as life destroying and debilitating as crack. Why don't they focus more on ALCOHOL - statistically much more dangerous and easier for kids to get their hands on? Oh, right, alcohol is the "acceptable" drug of America.

[jennacyde66]

I hate when replies aren't posted beneath what they are a reply to - my last post was in reference to the Above the Influence commercials.

[sociopathicregret]

And it be the profitable one too! YARRR!

[VPKSolutions]

personally I think these commercials are the most awesome thing ever fcking assembled in virtual space. converse rules

[armati0hottie]

oh and by the way, talk about a catch 22. lets first tell you about sheep, but you're not dead yet, so hey, check out converse and stay a sheep.

i think the important part about thinking critically is to at least realize that you're being targeted, and not get angry at the corp. that so ingeniously targets you. (wait, getting angry and emo just empowers 'them' right?) haha

[armati0hottie]

haha whether you're b*tching about it or praising it.. it still got you talking. Nice Job, Converse.

[slythebad]

ok seriously. how many other companies have ever, EVER ran a commercial like this. a lot of people have said that they liked the commercial until they saw the logo at the end. what does that say? you show up liking the commercial, and then one little logo convinces you otherwise. u just bag on the commercial because u think they are trying to make money. because theyre a corporation. who else is going to get the country out of its zombie-like state of blind obeying?

[OMnash]

Congratulations. You're officially the biggest sucker in America. Enjoy your new Chuck's.

[sociopathicregret]

THANK YOU

[sociopathicregret]

If they weren't just trying to make money, why not just air an announcement with no commercial aims by an independent organization? Few other companies have ran the same thing because what they do already works, but these guys want to prey on the 'different' crowd. Of course they're just trying to make money, or else they wouldn't be displaying it as an ad.

[slythebad]

i hardly count what, like 2 seconds of logo airtime a viable ad. most commercials have it either all the time or 3/4 of the time. and look what else the commercial has done, now ur talking about them. ha.

[sociopathicregret]

Two seconds is enough to associate a powerful message with a product.

[sociopathicregret]

I was amazingly disgusted by this commercial, anyway.

[SoulRandyG]

Converse "Chuck Taylors" were the hip shoe to wear back in 1975.

Haven't owned a pair since.

Wouldn't be caught dead in a pair now.

[Celisofbfent]

This woman is a close friend of mine and I am still lost on the meaning....lol

Celis

[nybigdogs89]

If you get upset becuase you don't think this country is a "so called democracy", oh well you can sit through one quick commercial telling you something you don't want to hear while the rest of us have to listen to the constant media garbage we are fed.

[nybigdogs89]

A lot of these comments disturb me. Converse is delivering a message that must be heard and a message that most people will never understand because they just sit and watch t.v and believe everything their media tells them. It's telling you to think for yourself nothing more nothing less how could you be angered by that.

[sociopathicregret]

And interestingly enough, they're doing it to advertise shoes. Converse is owned by Nike. They're trying to use depth and meaning against us for profit.

[nybigdogs89]

Why can't they just be a company delivering a good solid message, so what if they put their ad at the end of it. To me they're sincere about this message, and that doesn't mean im gonna go out and buy converse's personally i think theyre ugly but i liked they're commercial because i think they meant it, whether their owned by NIKE or not.

[sociopathicregret]

If they were sincere, they would do it without advertising anything.

[sociopathicregret]

Why would Nike let one of its child companies air something that would slash its own profits?

[nybigdogs89]

"Why would Nike let one of its child companies air something that would slash its own profits?" - Why is it going to slash its profits?

[sociopathicregret]

the whole "fuck the status quo" attitude goes AGAINST consumerism and AGAINST buying stuff, hence slashing profits.

[librul]

How I often strike a blow against capitalism's savage inequities by merely sitting in front of my computer in my Nikes nodding in agreement with a vid I saw on YOUTUbe. I am SO FUCKING LiBERAL.

[chaosangeld]

You could die at any moment, and then it's too late to buy our shoes.

Deliver me from fear-based pseudo-rebellious advertising.

[socoamarettojustine]

DO YOU FUCKING KNOW WHO CONVERSE IS OWNED BY?

NIKE.

fucking sheep.

[applesforsnapples]

cool. Nike makes some nice shoes! Do you have some problem with nike?

[robnum1]

absolutely amazing commercial.

[tHeJwAy13]

This was a good commercial, I had to actually stop and find it on the internet to make sure I actually read what was on the screen.

This is a message of the times, USA, it's time to wake up. No more denying the reality that is right in front of your eyes. We have been lied to.

[applesforsnapples]

Converse is a shoe sales company. Their argument is to buy converse shoes because we've been lied to?

And what were we lied to about? Are you mad that we didn't elect your favored guy?  That everyone thought Iraq was a lot scarier than it turned out to be? That reality TV is democracy? I have no idea, but perhaps I'm just a dummy. So I ask, sincerely, what this lie is.

[tHeJwAy13]

The lie is all around you. You have been led to believe that you live a democracy that is represented by the people, when this is far from the truth. This country wasn't even originally founded on a democracy, but a republic. Somewhere along the line a switch was made, and most of the people that you currently see in power today at the highest levels of government have hijacked the very meaning of this country, true liberty. It is all about money to them, and it always will be.

[gekkobear]

Right, tell people to think for themselves and they will. Because people will follow your orders to think for themselves blindly.

It always works... I think.

[droplproject]

Back up a step. "So called Democracy". There you go. America is not a Democracy, nor has it ever been..yet we're using "Democracy" as an excuse to invade every country possessive of a resource we want. Props on the commercial conv :)

[hetzle]

This is a Representative Democracy.

kthxbai

[droplproject]

It is a Republic based on Democratic principals. The word Republic appears numerous times in the Constitution, whereas neither Democracy nor Democratic are mentioned once.

[hetzle]

Hey look, someone who knows what he's talking about.

[squidpants]

this is a really good commercial. I was pretty surprised when I saw it and rewinded it to make sure. Then again, it's an ad, so hey. It'd be cooler if there were no mention of the product and you had to find out on your own somehow.

[ushdfgakjasgh]

"we really don't like the forces of the free market that make things like beauty pageants popular, so you should buy our shoes"

[slythebad]

dude, u suck.

first of all, its an ad, and they, like any other company, want you to buy their product.

second, they do it in a way that has not been done too many times over the years, ever.

third, its not the ad so much as what the shoes stand for. 100 years of minority and underground symbolism. fighting the crowd and being different.

[robnum1]

you are right, its a commercial promoting their product. why sit on the couch when you can be active outside using their shoes?

[ushdfgakjasgh]

1) just because somebody wants something doesn't make it right

2) that doesn't redeem them either

3) their shoes don't stand for anything but shoes. no matter how well they've convinced you of their "image," they are a corporation selling shoes. they like money.

[analorencawasay]

Best commercial ever. Hands down.

[slythebad]

This is probably the best commercial i have ever seen. period. only people who think they're cool because they wear the shoes are the ones bitching about it. come on people. and when u have any doubt, just watch the smells like teen spirit video.

[djm5714]

One more thing then I'll leave, democracy is having the freedom to sit on your ass and watch tv if you want to. No one forces you to do it...

[djm5714]

Fuck you converse

[scwizard]

This commercial made me lose all respect for the shoes.

They're supposed to be nice shoes to, they look good on girls. But ya no more respect for them after I saw this.

[SoapEaterxx]

Everyone just shut up. This commercial is fucking contradictory. Emo.

[Crunchic]

aww try doing something besides crying ;(

[SoapEaterxx]

Are you responding to what I said or are you talking about the converse commercial. Because if that's all you have to say to me well... I'm not even going to respond. Wow.

[djm5714]

No dude im agreeing with you

[SoapEaterxx]

oh okay

[djm5714]

Damn right. Converse wants you to be independent when really, they want you to conform to them. Hypocrites

[chaosangeld]

Welcome to the Emo-Church of Converse.

Now if you'lll all kindly look the other way and drink this kool-aid. Don't let your bangs fall in.

[MybestfriendJesus]

I just saw this on TV, and the minute after I ate dinner, I looked it up thinking I misread it. This is now my favorite commercial.

[kylewagoner]

horray for my shoes wanting to make a change!

[jennywho32]

I agree that it's nice to see this kind of a message, even if it is in a shoe commercial. The fact is that this country exists to SELL THINGS. But if something can trigger a critical thought in the process, that's just fine with me. STOP OVERTHINKING IT.

[NoBetterThan]

this is a paradox in its self... hmmm... but i really do like the shoes.. but is that a manufactured thought, or free thinking? hmmmmmm

[vandalking78]

This is like filling a commerical with Socrates quotes. Hello, this is America you sell stuff to the general public by dumbing it down to breasts and junk. You really think the market base is going to get this?

[sociopathicregret]

People are subtly getting tired of bullshit, but they're not smart enough yet to spot hypocrisies like this. So, it appeals to their 'fuck the status quo' attitude but they don't realize that it's just a marketing ploy. The standing out is what makes it 'good marketing'.

[vandalking78]

That's an interesting outlook on it. Still, I think the commericial fails to brand the product even if it's memorable.

[sociopathicregret]

Maybe it's some kind of psychological experiment : /

[vandalking78]

Maybe its an experiment in pissing me off!

[armati0hottie]

Bottom line = sell (sad, i know). BUT, the message is clear, will it register? Generate creative thought? It's a start, for those disinclined. Commercialism blinds us into 'wanting' and needing. Awarness of important issues,(such as the casual use of exported labor to support a grossly wasteful middle class), is just as important as realizing we're doing nothing but creating problems with solutions at a price.

[trola04]

Even if this is still a ploy to advertise the Converse brand it is nice to see an ad of this nature. Zombie nation - THINK CRITICALLY.

[sociopathicregret]

Think critically - Don't buy converse shoes`

[ptballerx]

okay, let me break it down on the reasoning behind this add. If you notice converse was funded 1908. I'm sure the executives had a meeting about the 100 year anniversary of converse. During this meeting they reflected on the impact converse had on society as a whole. They knew society was fucked up by the 5 major media devices we listen too so they wanted to rebel a little bit. They wanted to cause a chain reaction - at least a little bit - but obviously there just fishing in the dark.

[LadyJMH]

Those words could have been used to promote awareness towards genocide, to help generate action towards the end of world wars, to begin an end to domestic violence or all the other horrific acts that are committed EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Have advertisers lost all sense of decency and respect (as well as their minds)?!?!? Or is half the nation already brainwashed and still buying those shoes because of the "cool commercial"?

[pxyxp1]

I think the fact that we're slowly but surely losing our freedoms and being dehumanized by the government and media is just as important as domestic violence or world wars. At least this ad might make some people think, rather than the usual typical bullshit commercials that simply try to make their products seem better than everyone else's.

[diarrheablues]

How do you know if the people at Converse aren't doing just that; wanting people to use the words in this commercial and apply it to these horrific acts? Though I don't see how those words could work with domestic violence; not many men will watch some beauty competition, then go off to beat his wife.

[sociopathicregret]

Yeah, that's why I hated this commercial so much. At first I thought it really might be some important announcement, but then I saw the Converse logo and felt sick

[bennude10]

This is such an intelligent commercial then at the end it advertises fucking shoes. Shoes that don't even matter. Shoes that don't really save lives. Those words would be perfect for a 'cause' or something more important. What cooperations and advertisers do to connect with angst-ridden, rebelling, young teens with products through degrading, mediocre, television.

This is our regular TV programing degrading the ones already lowered by society.

[pxyxp1]

Still, as much as I hate corporations, it's a silent commercial, and they don't even mention anything about the sneakers. It's nice to see a corporation breaking the mold and at least trying to get people to think for themselves. The Unsigned Band one even suggests that it doesn't matter if you make money as long as you're happy.

[bennude10]

Yeah I know what you mean and it is nice to see 'thought-provoking' commercials but, even though they might be getting people to think for themselves and buy whatever makes them happy, most people buy shit they don't need. All I'm saying it is just a "Foot Ware" add with Thought-Provoking words nothing else.

[filmmonk]

I agree it painful to see that this is from a corporation. But ask yourself this question, who else has 100's of millions of dollars to do this? At first I thought this was a Ron Paul ad, because that's the only guy right now that could individually pull this off. So the next question to ask is who is being genuine? the AD agency or Converse?

[thesoup]

This is the most disgustingly patronizing thing I've ever seen in my entire life. I thought for myself and didn't buy shoes made by a company that sold out to Nike. How's that? And my Blackspots are a thousand times nicer than any pair of Chucks I owned back in the day.

[0genuine8]

can you say... subliminal messages

[bankypunk]

You have no idea what a subliminal message is do you?

[ballr4life714]

ALL in no sound i saw this video last nite but the words on the screen where differnt. It said to get on my knees and pray and be grateful for the things in society. and its stopped for a couple seconds. i dint react den it said "why are u still sitting there for??" it was prettyy bizzare? anybdy see waht im talkin about?

[oliviadog]

Love it! Love it! Creative, different than any other ad I have ever seen and thought provoking.

It got me to turn off my tv so hey it worked on me. Thanks converse. Good stuff. And hey canvas shoes that have remained cool, even better.

[travis122imdb]

yeah right, converse.

Let's think for ourselves

and create a new society.

One without corporations.

Still with me, converse?

[Imm0ralMin0rity]

Wow . . . think for yourself, buy our product.

[DeadlyVenom7]

Expecting people to watch a silent commercial is a surprise; then to read words on the screen-I'm shocked. All this time, I thought foreign films weren't watched here in the states because Americans cant be bothered with subtitles. I can only imagine the confusion in the general public when their televisions suddenly went silent with this Converse ad. I would go so far as calling a Public service announcement. The only thing left is to wait and for a response, if it was read at all.

[annoyingoriginal]

lol

[DeadlyVenom7]

Poetic and uncommon was the tone of the advertisement. I do hope that there is a bit of "waking up" in some who watch it. If for nothing else, we should all agree time here is short and to not be an active part in the life you live, its as though you don't even exist.

[poolsclosedduetofail]

When a corporation tries to dictate what "life" is to you by defining everything else as "dead" what does that say about you if believe it?

Watch what you want. Listen to what you want. Just don't believe the hype, that's when they really have gotten you.

[Kaljinyu]

I agree with Pool's Closed.

Why am I dead if I choose who to vote for on a voting reality show, but I'm supposedly free thinking and independent if I buy a pair of Chuck Taylors and care about indie bands like Mightaswell?

I'm alive because I choose not to listen to rhetoric like this.

[manwalrus]

Remember that Converse was bought out by Nike, a rival of the company.

Also remember that Converse was founded by a man who made his own shoes and sold them in the back of his car to teach kids how to play the sport they loved, for cheaper than most shoes either then or now.

Just sayin, ya know...

[geoguy91]

note that the commercial says nothing about converse shoes, and doesn't even mention converse, save for the logo at the end.