Bond in aftershave advertising vs. Bond on film
Charmed & Dangerous
Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
Looking at the advertisements for the 007 aftershave (or cologne as some of our members know it!), Bond is portrayed in quite a different way to the latest DC incarnation. The 007 aftershave Bond is slim, dark, and(although you can't see his face), youngish.
I wonder if this is purposeful to create a different Bond image in the minds of audiences? Isn't that confusing to those who have only seen the films, as the image is closer to the Bond of the books? Why not choose a model closer to DC to 'cement the brand', as it were?
I wonder if this is purposeful to create a different Bond image in the minds of audiences? Isn't that confusing to those who have only seen the films, as the image is closer to the Bond of the books? Why not choose a model closer to DC to 'cement the brand', as it were?
"How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
Comments
The truth of the matter is, Bond as in the film franchise and Bond as in advertising products are two completely different things. Bond in advertising has to appeal to everybody. Young, old, regular fans, general, fans as well as film and book fans. It also has to appeal to purchase buyers the fashion industry in this case and those that are associated with them. So that's why Bond as a brand has been much more generic and dare I say it, stereotypical in image than the characters in the films from Sir Sean to Mr Brosnan, and Mr Craig.
Another aspect is perception of Bond meeting what appeals. If you plan to brand Bond, something generic is the result because the fragrances, aftershaves excetra reach a wide product audience. Sometimes you get a comedy effect reflecting the "you can be like Bond" approach. For a classy style such as the toiletries, you get a David Gandy alike as the template for the image advertising. If you look carefully at the promotions for coca cola and other products associated with Bond, the Bond silhouette image is very similar. It's a generic representation of Bond. Using such a model is bringing that image to life, right down to the crisp dress shirt and sweeping dinner jacket. Obviously it works because as a result aftershaves, another toiletries, fizzy drinks, alcoholic drinks, computers, game systems, watches, tailoring, and beautiful fast cars all have used this tactic to great effect.
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
Would agree with that.
With regards to the adverts I guess the perfume is licences etc and the ads and marketing has sod all to do with EON hence no DC look a like etc
I think TD looks more like the literary Bond. As Flemming always describes Bonds cold, grey eyes. So while TD's eyes aren't grey, I think he looks more intense and cold, closer to what Flemming described.