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Saucy Nando's ad serves South Africans a hot topic about politicians [Independent on Saturday (South Africa)]
[September 06, 2014]

Saucy Nando's ad serves South Africans a hot topic about politicians [Independent on Saturday (South Africa)]


(Independent on Saturday (South Africa) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) NANDO'S, famous for its tongue-in-cheek sense of humour as much as their delicious chicken, is at it again, with their latest advert.

This time, the popular restaurant chain pokes fun at certain government ministers who make use of the now-infamous "blue light brigades". The advert, which debuted on South African television screens this week, takes a dig at the "fat-cat politicians's" preferred mode of transport.



It has become a huge hit with South Africans, with the video going viral on social media platforms since it's|launch.

While Nando's has landed itself in hot water many times in the past, the chain believes it's latest advert has raised an issue that many South Africans feel passionate about.


"Self-important officials irritate everyone so we took the opportunity in this commercial to make fun of them in a light-hearted way," said Nando's chief marketing officer Mike Cathie.

"It might not always be the case with politicians, but we serve the people." In it's latest commercial, Nando's imagines what might happen if four blue light cavalcades were to meet at a single intersection.

"As you might expect, things get quite heated before the tension of the situation is diffused in a quintessentially South African way," said Cathie.

The popular Portuguese-style eatery has become known for its witty advertising campaigns, which often draw on current affairs for inspiration.

Two weeks ago, the Nando's marketing team released an advert poking fun at the current situation unfolding with popular soapie Generations. Sixteen of the cast members were fired by the producer of the show Mfundi Vundla.

Nando's was quick to react, releasing an ad that read: "Dear Mfundi, leave the firing to us." The marketing team at Nando's said the franchise did not sit and wait for the next big thing to happen in order to make an ad.

"There is a calendar of well-planned marketing activities based on strategic objectives to drive the business forward, which all Nando's agencies help to execute," said a member of the marketing team.

"We follow a typical client-agency briefing process when developing all the creative work we need to support marketing activity." "But, in the words of our founders Robbie Brozin and Fernando Duarte, 'we like to make money and have fun, and the one is nothing without the other', so we all have our fingers on the pulse of what is happening in Mzanzi." The Nando's marketing team works together with a number of agencies to develop its witty ads. But being so hot off the mark and on point with the controversial adverts has its challenges.

"It's not as easy as one may think, but it is a hell of a lot of fun," said another marketing team member.

"We have to be agile and quick, but most importantly, we have to be meaningful and relevant while still being true to what we stand for." "That's what makes working on the brand challenging. It is not for the faint-hearted." The chicken franchise said it did not set out to deliberately cause controversy with its adverts.

"We have become quite good at wading in hot water, but it is important to note that it is never our intention to deliberately cause controversy, rather, to spark debate about issues that are important to South Africans." "We feel a responsibility to make voices heard on issues that matter to all of us." The Independent on Saturday (c) 2014 Independent Newspapers (Pty) Limited. All rights strictly reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

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