JWT and Vodafone Egypt are facing a huge backlash in Egypt after a video was released implying that the telco had helped inspire January’s revolution.
Such was the level of anger, that JWT MENA was forced to apologise via social media sites last night, with the network saying via Twitter that the “Video circulated is not related to @VodafoneEgypt, but done by #JWT Cairo for presentation purposes & NOT AN AD. We apologize to everyone.”
The apology followed the posting of a video on JWT’s website that combined its award-winning Kowetna campaign with events in Tahrir Square. The end tagline reads: “We didn’t send people to the streets, we didn’t start the revolution … We only reminded Egypt
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I watched the entire video and to be honest, if they had left the beginning tone and indirect nature of the message throughout the ad it wouldn’t have generated such issue. Egyptians know what they are struggling for. Every father and mother fought for their children and for their future. The first part of the ad indirectly said that. No need to dig yourself a hole and jump right in during the second part.
As for VF response saying they know nothing about it, it looks more like the ad was created as a concept internally perhaps as a pitch and never shared. Someone leaked it out.
It looks like an awards entry video to me, probably for Cannes. Little chance of winning now.
Just seems a bit overreactive, seeing how much credit was (and continues to be) given to Facebook.