Moonraker Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Sainsbury's website page on the commercial. Sainsbury factfile on the Great War. (Scroll down to page 12.) Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 The British soldier had his own hard tack in his box, then got the chocolate from home. He then gave the German his chocolate leaving him with his hardtack. The German didn't give him the hardtack. Steve. Sorry, my mistake. So he got nothing from the crafty Hun? Though I guess they couldn't have shown him coming back with a box of smokes or a bottle of schnapps in exchange for one bar of chocolate. Cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 At least the game didn't go to penalties..... - or there WOULD have been a War ...... (just trying to lighten the tone!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelS Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 I prefer the John Lewis penguin. The John Lewis 'Monty' the penguin is being used to aid the WWF's adopt an Adelie penguin scheme Click; apparently adoptions have taken off since the advertisement started to air. NigelS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lummox Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 I'm currently involved in filming the very same scenes at the mo! But after seeing that ad I feel like like giving up! I thought it was amazing..... I'm currently involved in filming the very same scenes at the mo! But after seeing that ad I feel like like giving up! I thought it was amazing..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 I note the understandable cynicism about the advert, but advertisements in local newspapers of the time show that commercial concerns were quite happy to use the war to push their goods. In the Coventry and Warwickshire Graphic for instance there is an advert by a furniture retailer offering to replace, free of charge, any furniture bought from them that had been destroyed in a Zeppelin raid, thus playing on the fear of air raids. Nothing changes as far as financial gain is concerned it seems, but I do think the Sainsbury one is a good effort of its type, even if dosh is the prime mover. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyhound Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 As an advertisement it does nothing for me. It won't affect where I shop. I shop at Sainsbury, Tesco, Waitrose, Lidl and Aldi depending on what is most convenient for me at the time. I might occasionally use a recipe from one of their websites, but it doesn't mean I'll buy the ingredients from the same shop. If I happen to be in Sainsburys, and I want to buy chocolate, I may buy one of those bars. (Or I may not.) I wouldn't have given the quid to the RBL instead, so it's not an issue either way. I don't feel any particular goodwill (or ill-will for that matter) towards Sainsburys because of that ad. On the other hand I generally dislike the music chosen for the John Lewis adverts. That doesn't stop me from shopping there if they have something I want to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 That so called fact file precisely underlines why I so detest the company's posturing and this advert. A bit of history then a job advert all copyright fee children and teachers. When the Guardian and the telegraph share similar views to mine somehow I feel vindicated in my detestation of this Great War commercialisation. Let's get real. These people have no commitment to memorialisation, just in making a buck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 (edited) Being non-British I can't possibly comment on commercialisation and Sainsbury's etc (All we have here in The Hague is a Marks & Sparks, and WW1 is practically non-existant in Dutch society....), but cinematographically speaking I find this advert absolutely brilliant ! Just a tiny bit of criticism : the trenches seem to be véry wide. German musketier Fritz Limbach talks in his letters (in 1915) about the German trenches being "about 90 cms wide at the top, so as to make it almost impossible for English bombs to drop into the trenches". But that is just making an elephant out of a mosquito ( "A mountain out of a molehill" is the English expression I think?) My compliments to the director, the actors, the staff etc etc etc for a job very well done. Edited 13 November , 2014 by JWK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazelclark Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Well, you can please some of the people all of the time etc. etc. Hazel C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyhound Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 That so called fact file precisely underlines why I so detest the company's posturing and this advert. A bit of history then a job advert all copyright fee children and teachers. When the Guardian and the telegraph share similar views to mine somehow I feel vindicated in my detestation of this Great War commercialisation. Let's get real. These people have no commitment to memorialisation, just in making a buck. To be fair, "these people" are individuals just like you or me. A person may work in advertising or marketing, and at the same time have sincere respect for the fallen and a genuine interest in the Great War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Sainsbury's make a profit and embrace commercialism? Well I'll be damned! How frightfully awful of them. Well, I'll probably carry on shopping at Sainsbury's, watching TV and be one of those awful sorts who quite liked the commercial. I'll probably even be a devil and buy some of Sainsbury's chocolate bars and Christmas cards to support the RBL, who in their own words ' ...provide practical, emotional and financial support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present, and their families.' All year round. The Royal British Legion's page about Sainsbury's advert: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us/news/remembrance/sainsburys-and-the-legion-partner-to-bring-ww1-christmas-truce-story-to-life Quoted from the above page "Marking 20 years of support" (so not really jumping on any bandwagon then) "The campaign is the latest expression of Sainsbury's 20 year relationship with The Royal British Legion. Sainsbury's is one of the biggest supporters of the Legion and waits until after Armistice Day to launch its annual Christmas campaign so that stores can remain focused on raising funds for the Poppy Appeal. In 2013 alone, Sainsbury's raised around £4.5m for the charity through colleague, supplier and customer fundraising and an exclusive range of poppy products. This Christmas Sainsbury's will be doing even more to raise funds beyond the Poppy Appeal, including: Selling the WW1 chocolate bar featured in the ad in Sainsbury's stores for £1, with all profits donated to the Legion. The limited edition 100g Taste the Difference Belgian Milk Chocolate bar is manufactured in Ypres, Belgium, and features the same period packaging seen in the ad. The Legion will be one of Sainsbury's charity Christmas card partners" Bad, bad Sainsbury's. Well done to all involved I say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 If I can raise £1 for RBL, what is the appropriate toll I can charge for this 'gift'?...is it £1....£10...£100...or £1,000?. If I go out and shake the tin for the RBL what is the appropriate amount that I should retain for my efforts? Please tell me as I really do need to understand the level of disconnect between altruism, business and charity. I would genuinely be interested in the answers to this question. The idea that Sainsbury's is making a zero gain is a flight of fancy. If it was zero, why would it even bother to make this advert. They know it would be more efficient (for them and RBL) to simply make a donation. Does anyone really believe there is zero economic benefit to Sainsbury's? Really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoppage Drill Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Caleys Dark Marching Chocolate has been around for aeons, was supplied to troops in the Great War, and is still available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 "Does anyone really believe there is zero economic benefit to Sainsbury's? Really?" Who suggested that Martin? I certainly didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 Well, in one online forum which came up in a search, some of the contributors thought it was for Hovis or for Warburton's bread. (I was actually searching to find out how much it cost: the JL advert cost £1m.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 "Does anyone really believe there is zero economic benefit to Sainsbury's? Really?" Who suggested that Martin? I certainly didn't. But you appear to condone the concept that a corporate can make a commercial gain from associating itself with a charity. I have been an investment banker for 25 years and perfectly embrace the capitalist ideal of making a profit. As an ex Army Officer, born into the Army and descended from many generations of Army, I can confidently say that no-one I know would condone the commercial monetisation of the poppy appeal to make money for corportates. This is the point where altruism disappears. If one believes Sainsbury's should be able to make a commercial gain on the back of a charity, the obvious question is to what extent? If it sold a product for £10, or £100 what is an appropriate level of donation to the charity?. What is the limit of this? I don't know the answer to this question as it simply something that is beyond my comprehension: the idea that anyone could benefit from raising money for a charity. I ask because there is a clear misunderstanding on this thread as to what is a profit and what is an economic benefit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 13 November , 2014 Share Posted 13 November , 2014 I don't necessarily condone the concept Martin. I accept it and so apparently does the RBL, who appear to be grateful for the 20 year support of their charity from Sainsbury's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 14 November , 2014 Share Posted 14 November , 2014 I don't necessarily condone the concept Martin. I accept it and so apparently does the RBL, who appear to be grateful for the 20 year support of their charity from Sainsbury's. OK. I can see there is confusion with the concept. You don't agree with it,... yet you accept it ......as it raises money. .... so as long as it raises money it is OK? What could I do to raise money for RBL that would not be condoned I wonder? As long as it raises a penny, does that make it OK? I could sell a car for £10,000 and make a £1 donation to the RBL..does that make it right? Between this ridiculous extreme and Sainsbury's where exactly is the line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 14 November , 2014 Share Posted 14 November , 2014 Martin, I am not the one who is confused by any concept here. Good night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 14 November , 2014 Share Posted 14 November , 2014 As an ex army wife, born into the army and also descended from many generations of army, I don't give a fig if they do make a profit. Look, they were going to make a christmas ad anyway (all the big shops do it every year seemingly), I really don't see the problem with them making this ad, it being associated with the RBL and giving profits from the chocolate bar (no matter how much or how little those said prifits may be) to the RBL, afterall it's money the RBL wouldn't have had in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazelclark Posted 14 November , 2014 Share Posted 14 November , 2014 I couldn't care less how much they make. Like the poppies, that ad. has people talking about the war and the veterans and their family histories. A friend of mine in Vancouver has purchased three poppies. One for each of her dead uncles and one for her mother's fiance who was killed in 1918. Hazel C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salesie Posted 14 November , 2014 Share Posted 14 November , 2014 But you appear to condone the concept that a corporate can make a commercial gain from associating itself with a charity. I have been an investment banker for 25 years and perfectly embrace the capitalist ideal of making a profit. As an ex Army Officer, born into the Army and descended from many generations of Army, I can confidently say that no-one I know would condone the commercial monetisation of the poppy appeal to make money for corportates. This is the point where altruism disappears. If you believe Sainsbury's should be able to make a commercial gain on the back of a charity, the obvious question is to what extent? If it sold a product for £10, or £100 what in your view is an appropriate level of donation to the charity?. The second question is what in your view is the limit of this? I Don't know the answer to this question as it simply something that is beyond my comprehension: the idea that anyone could benefit from raising money for a charity. I ask because there is a clear misunderstanding on this thread as to what is a profit and what is an economic benefit. An investment banker trying to take the moral high ground about corporate greed? You really are having a laugh aren't you, Martin? Cheers-salesie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 14 November , 2014 Share Posted 14 November , 2014 Instead of berating Sainsbury's, would it not be more constructive to campaign for all commercial operators who are making money from interest in the Great War to donate a proportion of their profits from such products/services to the RBL or another suitable charity during the Centenary? How much, for example, are publishers, broadcasters and genealogical website operators giving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 14 November , 2014 Share Posted 14 November , 2014 I think we all have to accept that when commercial organisations work with charities they do so because it is both the right thing to do and will also hopefully generate a warm PR glow in the hearts of their customers. All of us living in a capitalist system gain our livelihoods either directly or indirectly from the creation of "economic benefits". I have to declare an interest as I am a Sainsburys shareholder and consider the ad in question excellent from this perspective - and also respectful and appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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