The inspiring video below is an example of a new kind of advertising that focuses on kindness and universal virtues with very little mention of a company or what it sells.
Commentary
This is a commentary video uploaded to YouTube by Angie Li on Apr 11, 2014.
A Thai life insurance company with a history of producing powerful, tearjerking ads has done it again. Its latest, a three-minute spot titled “Unsung Hero,” follows a good Samaritan whose daily deeds (watering a dying sidewalk potted plant, helping an elderly street vendor get her cart over a high curb, feeding a stray hungry dog, leaving bananas for an elderly neighbor, giving money to a poor young girl) go largely unnoticed — mainly because he’s not looking to be recognized. “He gets nothing,” an English translation of the ad’s voice-over reads. “He won’t be richer. Won’t appear on TV. Still anonymous. And not a bit more famous.” Eventually, though, the man’s kindness is rewarded when he sees the power of his actions — the girl going to school, the plant growing, the stray dog following him home. “He witnesses happiness,” the voice-over continues. “Reaches a deeper understanding. Feels the love. Receives what money can’t buy. A world made more beautiful.”
The ad, created by Ogilvy & Mather Bangkok for Thai Life, has been viewed more than 5 million times since it was posted to YouTube. “Thai life insurance ad about this ‘Unsung Hero’ will make you cry at work,” Creativity magazine declared. Last fall, a Thai Life ad, called “Silence of Love,” depicted a teenage girl’s relationship with father, who cannot hear or speak. That tearjerker, also produced by Ogilvy & Mather Bangkok, went viral, racking up more than 3 million views. Brief: Ever wondered? In our life we want exactly. Why do some people have plenty of money … still no joy. This clip is not the answer. But it may be a starting point for you to do something … To find the answer yourself. He witnesses happiness. Reaches a deeper understanding. Feels the love. Receives what money can’t buy. เคยสงสัยไหม? ชีวิตคนเราต้องการอะไรกันแน่ ทำไมบางคนมีเงินมากมาย…ก็ยังไม่มีความสุข คลิปนี้ ไม่ใช่คำตอบ แต่มันอาจเป็นจุดเริ่มต้นให้คุณทำบางสิ่ง... เพื่อค้นหาคำตอบนั้นด้วยตัวเอง
