The Big F U

 

It appears that Colt 45, like many larger companies, is trying to get in touch with young urban culture. They posted a giant poster-like ad in the midst of the real street-art that lines Bedford Ave, in Brooklyn’s trendy Williamsburg. Located on the corner of Bedford and N. 6th, the ad is about as cool as your parents trying to be “hip” when your a teenager, and equally transparent.

I was planning on snapping a shot of the Colt poster to use as a perfect visual that could parlay into a larger discussion. It was going to be a rant about corporations attempting to join the trend of guerrilla marketing by poorly mimicking street art, when I stumbled onto a very a happy surprise. Someone took it upon themselves to communicate their reactions and rather loudly…

YES! There are now two huge wooden letters leaning in front of the ad. “F U,” enough said. Cheers to the street artist for being proactive and communicating his disdain for corporations engulfing our public spaces in inappropriate ways. Cheers again for making sure his message was on display for all the Sunday brunch’ers to see.

The oddest part about the lameness of the Colt 45 campaign is that Colt happens to be owned by the hipster-chic Pabst Blue Ribbon. I have read numerous articles about how PBR has made a point of maintaining the lowbrow image that youth culture fell in love with, even in the face of sudden growth. Pabst’s ability to understand their brand image is what has allowed them to own a major niche beer market — the young, broke and hopelessly cool, beer drinker.