In 2012, at the age of 14, a Taliban gunman climbed onto a bus Malala Yousafzai was riding in and shot her in the head. Though she nearly died in the attack, Yousafzai recovered, and courageously returned to advocating on behalf of girls’ education rights. She has become internationally famous for her activism in favor of allowing women the same educational opportunities as men, both in her native Pakistan and abroad.
Unfortunately, the Indian mattress company Kurl-on decided to use the shooting incident as fodder for one of its latest print ads.
In it, a cartoon version of Yousafzai is seen being shot with a rifle. The ad then shows several iterations of Yousafzai as she recovers in a hospital and ultimately goes on to win an award for her advocacy. Along the way, she falls on a Kurl-on mattress and “bounces back.”
Kurl-on/Ads of the World
The ad is one in a series of three made by Ogilvy India that shows several famous figures as they go through times of difficulty only to hit a Kurl-on mattress and bounce back. None of the other ads, though, depict the shooting of a teenage girl.
In India, standards for ads are completely different than in the West. There is almost no such thing as political correctness in India, and Indian advertising often remains untrammeled by questions of taste or appropriateness. In other words, while Americans might find these ads appalling, Indians won’t care.
Here’s the ad Kurl-on made documenting the late Steve Jobs’ departure from Apple and ultimate comeback:
Kurl-on/Ads of the World
And here’s Kurl-on’s ad featuring Gandhi:
Kurl-on/Ads of the World
It’s also not clear whether these are real ads or whether they are “spec” creative — speculative ads that never ran in paid media and made only for the attention they’ll get. However, the fact that an Ogilvy creative team has taken credit for the ads suggests they were at least approved within the agency itself.
Dagashiya Ahiru Shop is a hidden gem for Japanese snacks lovers
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japanese woman sues man for 1.5 million yen for violating her “right to chastity”
We check out the new apartment building construction site area that opened in KidZania Tokyo
Dagashiya Ahiru Shop is a hidden gem for Japanese snacks lovers
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japanese woman sues man for 1.5 million yen for violating her “right to chastity”
We check out the new apartment building construction site area that opened in KidZania Tokyo
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Pocky recall issued in Japan after customers notice off-the-mark taste caused by unintended smells
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Pocky recall issued in Japan after customers notice off-the-mark taste caused by unintended smells
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Skip Tsukiji sushi?!? This seafood-stock ramen restaurant is a great reason to do just that
Five things that keep Japanese people chained to their jobs
Japanese police are not messing around, with Patlabor robot mecha out on display 【Video】
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Tokyo travel hack: How to enjoy a free sightseeing boat tour around Tokyo Bay
These are Osaka’s three best digital rail passes for travelers
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Leave a Reply