The Dutch retailer Kruidvat sells baby food under its own private label. Using a play on words, the TV commercial says: 'For Kruidvat's own brand, the most economic A-brand'. It gave rise to discussion: is Kruidvat actually an A-brand? The chairman of the Advertising Code Committee followed the complainant’s strict view. With a reference to Wikipedia, he held that the Kruidvat brand is not a real A-brand. Kruidvat does enjoy significant brand recognition in the Netherlands, but the rest of the requirements have not clearly been met. Does the brand have a good reputation? Is it leading in price and quality? And is it sold in more than 75% of stores? But the definitions of an A-brand are open to extensive discussion. Kruidvat resolved the problem by referring to what the consumer thinks in response to this play on words. The consumer does not associate the concept of an A-brand with a complicated Wiki definition. The consumer understands what the ad is conveying: Kruidvat’s own brand products are of the same (good) quality as the A-brands. After reviewing the objection, the Advertising Code Committee unanimously agreed. It's actually a play on words addressed to Kruidvat buyers, with a playful nod to the A-brand.
Ebba Hoogenraad, specialist in Dutch advertising law
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The Dutch retailer Kruidvat sells baby food under its own private label. Using a play on words, the TV commercial says: 'For Kruidvat's own brand, the most economic A-brand'. It gave rise to discussion: is Kruidvat actually an A-brand? The chairman of the Advertising Code Committee followed the complainant’s strict view. With a reference to Wikipedia, he held that the Kruidvat brand is not a real A-brand. Kruidvat does enjoy significant brand recognition in the Netherlands, but the rest of the requirements have not clearly been met. Does the brand have a good reputation? Is it leading in price and quality? And is it sold in more than 75% of stores? But the definitions of an A-brand are open to extensive discussion. Kruidvat resolved the problem by referring to what the consumer thinks in response to this play on words. The consumer does not associate the concept of an A-brand with a complicated Wiki definition. The consumer understands what the ad is conveying: Kruidvat’s own brand products are of the same (good) quality as the A-brands. After reviewing the objection, the Advertising Code Committee unanimously agreed. It's actually a play on words addressed to Kruidvat buyers, with a playful nod to the A-brand.
Ebba Hoogenraad, specialist in Dutch advertising law