Jeff Dearborn

Nissan's Israeli Ad Agency and Shai Agassi Take T. Boone Pickens' Side of the Oil Issue

Hi Michael,

I guess one person's "funny" is another person's highly offensive material.

As an Israeli, who is sensitive to caricature style "jew" depictions, I find this stereotypical and offensive too. Oil is not "Arab". It is also, Venezuelan, and even Texan. It is bad for all of us on the planet. It is our crack and it is the OPEC crack as well, actually.

There is a beautiful message in getting rid of Oil dependence. There's no need to attack or make fun of anyone. I would keep the positive, non-offensive and universal angle: green, saving money, great for the environment, sustainable.... this way everyone wins.

Of course, the more controversial this ad becomes, the more publicity it would get, so obviously the ad agency did what's actually works best for them. It is sad, but true.