Groupon's Controversial Tibet Super Bowl Ad (VIDEO, POLL)

Groupon's Controversial Tibet Super Bowl Ad (VIDEO, POLL) HPFB.init();
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Groupon's Controversial Tibet Super Bowl Ad (VIDEO, POLL)

The Huffington Post Craig Kanalley First Posted: 02/ 6/11 09:36 PM Updated: 02/ 6/11 10:14 PM

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Here's a Super Bowl ad the social media universe quickly voiced displeasure with (and it's raking up many more dislikes than likes on YouTube): Groupon's Tibet ad.

"The people of Tibet are in trouble," actor Timothy Hutton explains in a voiceover. "Their very culture is in jeopardy. But they still whip up an amazing fish curry."

Hutton says that he's at a restaurant in Chicago enjoying Tibetan food because hundreds signed up for a related Groupon deal.

Is Groupon exploiting tragedy in Tibet for its own business with this ad? Is this similar to Kenneth Cole's misguided Cairo message, though played out in front of millions more during the Super Bowl? Watch the ad and then let us know what you think of it in the poll below.

You can also read Groupon's post on its decision to advertise at the Super Bowl here.

WATCH:

Quick PollWhat's your take on Groupon's Tibet ad?

Completely inappropriate

Wrong to an extent, but funny/enjoyable

It's fine, don't see the problem

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

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Super Bowl 2011TibetSuper BowlHere's a Super Bowl ad the social media universe quickly voiced displeasure with (and it's raking up many more dislikes than likes on YouTube): Groupon's Tibet ad."The people of Tibet are in troub...Here's a Super Bowl ad the social media universe quickly voiced displeasure with (and it's raking up many more dislikes than likes on YouTube): Groupon's Tibet ad."The people of Tibet are in troub... Related News On Huffington Post:  
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A ring for his finger, a sling for his shoulder -- Green Bay Packers' Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson broke his collarbone during the Packers'... Loading... klustout Super Bowl ad featuring Tibet triggers angry reaction in China http://on.cnn.com/h7DYcX by @jocnn #superbowl #groupon 2 hours ago from TweetDeck KrisKetz RT @phil_rosenthal: Empathy and taste at least half-off at Groupon. What were they thinking with Tibet #superbowl ad? http://bit.ly/hh9TUs 5 hours ago from Osfoora for iPhone lostpear Worst spot came from @Groupon Tibet ad tonight. All that $ to offend folks. Is this a joke too? http://savethemoney.grou... #brandbowl 5 hours ago from web klustout RT @niubi Groupon Super Bowl Ad- Tibet up on Youku, with Chinese subtitles http://bit.ly/eYbaDF 5 hours ago from TweetDeck amandakaschube RT @phil_rosenthal: Empathy and taste at least half-off at Groupon. What were they thinking with Tibet #superbowl ad? http://bit.ly/hh9TUs 5 hours ago from Twitter for BlackBerry® phil_rosenthal Empathy and taste at least half-off at Groupon. What were they thinking with Tibet #superbowl ad? http://bit.ly/hh9TUs 5 hours ago from web ryanchittum WTF, groupon? shameful RT @Gawker: Groupon's Offensive Tibet Ad Is Also Unfunny http://gawker.com/575356... 6 hours ago from TweetDeck qualityrye correct. worst food commercial of #superbowl RT @Gawker Groupon's Offensive Tibet Ad Is Also Unfunny http://gawker.com/575356... 6 hours ago from web elephantjournal ahahah #Boulder Crispin Porter Bogusky behind worst ad of Super Bowl http://bit.ly/gu9orG #tibet #groupon 6 hours ago from TweetDeck designhawg Dear America, When was the last time you even thought about Tibet, a rainforest or the whales? #groupon 6 hours ago from Twitter for Mac Valleywag Groupon's Offensive Tibet Ad Is Also Unfunny http://gawker.com/575356... 7 hours ago from gawker JCSteers @rbfishman Same -- Tibet one was worse. But Groupon claims it's all for a good cause, they're matching donations http://bit.ly/hzHdl5 8 hours ago from TweetDeck elephantjournal Groupon donates up to $100,000 matching funds 2 Tibet Fund, Rainforest Action Network, buildOn http://bit.ly/gu9orG + Greenpeace 8 hours ago from TweetDeck elephantjournal Worst Super Bowl commercial? For (their) $, I say Groupon fcuks Tibet: http://bit.ly/gu9orG @tricyclemag 8 hours ago from TweetDeck elephantjournal Best & Worst Commercial of Steelers - Green Bay Super Bowl 2011. Eminem > Detroit & Groupon < Tibet. http://bit.ly/gu9orG 8 hours ago from TweetDeck MNHeadhunter --> RT @theredrecruiter: Imagine the brand loyalty @Groupon would have built if the millions spent on their ad went to Tibet instead. #sb 8 hours ago from TweetDeck theredrecruiter Imagine the brand loyalty @Groupon would have built if the millions spent on their ad went to Tibet instead. #sb45 8 hours ago from web windycitysocial RT @EnterpriseCity: Groupon's Tibet ad lands w/a thud http://bit.ly/fKkgQ8 #Brandbowl #SB45 9 hours ago from web ePatientDave Absolutely! Tasteless. RT @aviars RT @timoreilly: Groupon #superbowl ad about Tibet was exploitation. #fail <-my wife agrees. 9 hours ago from TweetDeck tadfriend groupon's tibet commercial was so appalling it made me cancel their daily email; it turned a vague dislike into enmity. 9 hours ago from web Show more results TOP INFLUENCERS ON THIS TOPIC 81 79 79 79 78 TOP LINKS ON THIS TOPIC 1 of 5

Groupon - Save The Money

10 facts about Tibet | Free Tibet

Groupon's Stupid Tibet Ad Is Also Unfunny

Groupon Super Bowl Ads « Groublogpon – The Serious Blog of Groupon

Super Bowl ad featuring Tibet triggers angry reaction in China - CNN.com

Why Groupon's Super Bowl Ad Was So Offensive

YouTube - Groupon - Tibet

Tower Ticker: Groupon Tibet Super Bowl TV ad discounts taste, sensitivity

YouTube - adblitz's Channel

YouTube - Groupon Super Bowl Ad | Save the Money - Tibet

TMI.me: when you have too much to say...

Buzz by John Hardy

YouTube - Groupon - Tibet - 2011 Super Bowl Commercial Ad

Twitpic - Share photos on Twitter

What Is Tibet’s Cause About? « Tibettruth

Around the Web:

Groupon's Super Bowl ads go for the cut-price jugular

Groupon's Tibet Ad Drawing Kenneth Cole Comparisons

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Post to Facebook.Post to Blogger.Post to Twitter.Post to WordPress.Post to TypePad.Post to Tumblr.Post to Yahoo! View All Favorites Recency  |  Popularity Page: 1 2 3 4 5 Next › Last »  (31 total) flyr1710   0 minute ago (7:18 AM) 31 Fans We're talking about it today aren't we? I think the goal of the ad was met whether we are talking controvers­y or not flyr1710: We're talking about it today aren't we? I think the http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/flyr1710/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543973.html Permalink  | Share it Tristan CA   3 minutes ago (7:15 AM) 16 Fans They're still calling attention to an issue that China wants the world to forget about, so I appreciate the commercial­. The one they did with whales was good for the same reasons. Tristan_CA: They're still calling attention to an issue that China wants http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Tristan_CA/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543859.html Permalink  | Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USER kyle feasby   8 minutes ago (7:09 AM) 20 Fans I have to say, I laughed at this commercial­. kyle_feasby: I have to say, I laughed at this commercial. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/kyle_feasby/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543673.html Permalink  | Share it Okie Deadhead   11 minutes ago (7:06 AM) 9 Fans Follow Shame on them for using Tibet. Will not be using Groupon anymore! Okie_Deadhead: Shame on them for using Tibet. Will not be using http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Okie_Deadhead/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543573.html Permalink  | Share it IndependentGadfly   11 minutes ago (7:06 AM) 22 Fans screw Tibet! I liked it and I like Groupon. IndependentGadfly: screw Tibet! I liked it and I like Groupon. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/IndependentGadfly/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543561.html Permalink  | Share it CarbondaleKid   17 minutes ago (7:01 AM) 1 Fans We are ignoring the reality of Groupon. They claim to offer great deals on desirable items right in my neighborho­od. The first coupon I got was for half-off at a petting zoo 100 miles from our house. The next was at a smoothie place 60 miles away. I gave Groupon a week and nothing appealing was offered. They sent plenty of spam, though. I canceled and they replied with a very rude personal note. Nice. CarbondaleKid: We are ignoring the reality of Groupon. They claim to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/CarbondaleKid/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543399.html Permalink  | Share it PointingtotheMoon   22 minutes ago (6:55 AM) 0 Fans Yeah, I think it was a great commercial­. No, it's not super tasteful, but we're all talking about it, right? You didn't see it coming and the blind-side made it funny. Since when is it a random business' duty to uphold taste and social responsibi­lity? You want to help Tibet? Just do it. You want to get other people to help? Do it. Quit whining, and use this free publicity. What are we arguing here? If you don't like it, boycott it. That's the American way. I'm not going to, but I support your right to. Off topic, it's not like Tibet was a democratic wonderland before China... not that it's improved. PointingtotheMoon: Yeah, I think it was a great commercial. No, it's http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/PointingtotheMoon/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543226.html Permalink  | Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USER only livin boy in NY   27 minutes ago (6:50 AM) 284 Fans Follow nothing funnier than genocide only_livin_boy_in_NY: nothing funnier than genocide http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/only_livin_boy_in_NY/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543073.html Permalink  | Share it stephanemot   31 minutes ago (6:47 AM) 9 Fans the aim of the game was to raise brand awareness

Groupon will have some trouble entering the Chinese market, but also recovering from this shameful moment at home. stephanemot: the aim of the game was to raise brand awareness http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/stephanemot/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542974.html Permalink  | Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USER ChelleAgain   36 minutes ago (6:41 AM) 359 Fans Follow Not the funniest thing on the planet, but mitigated somewhat by the fact that they actually had a charitable tie-in to all the causes mentioned in the commercial­s. ChelleAgain: Not the funniest thing on the planet, but mitigated somewhat http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/ChelleAgain/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542814.html Permalink  | Share it Jguig   38 minutes ago (6:39 AM) 36 Fans Capitalism is evil. Except when you sell your website for a few hundred million. Jguig: Capitalism is evil. Except when you sell your website for http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jguig/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542742.html Permalink  | Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USER Seaborn75   22 minutes ago (6:55 AM) 99 Fans Isn't that the truth!! Seaborn75: Isn't that the truth!! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Seaborn75/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76543225.html Permalink  | Share it Jguig   41 minutes ago (6:36 AM) 36 Fans "Never let a crisis go to waste." Rohm Emmanuel Jguig: "Never let a crisis go to waste." Rohm Emmanuel http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jguig/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542675.html Permalink  | Share it HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR Amondale   39 minutes ago (6:38 AM) 1564 Fans You misspelled 'waist.' Amondale: You misspelled 'waist.' http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Amondale/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542731.html Permalink  | Share it jimmyjones22   42 minutes ago (6:35 AM) 28 Fans I wont lie...i laughed. jimmyjones22: I wont lie...i laughed. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/jimmyjones22/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542649.html Permalink  | Share it Jguig   43 minutes ago (6:34 AM) 36 Fans If it's so wrong to make money, why did Arrianna sell to AOL? Jguig: If it's so wrong to make money, why did Arrianna http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jguig/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542619.html Permalink  | Share it Donns   46 minutes ago (6:32 AM) 168 Fans Exploiting any given situation for profit is the American way, tastefulln­ess is not. Donns: Exploiting any given situation for profit is the American way, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Donns/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542547.html Permalink  | Share it sewerrat   37 minutes ago (6:40 AM) 1 Fans And being full and uncomforta­ble is no reason to stop eating. God bless America! sewerrat: And being full and uncomfortable is no reason to stop http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/sewerrat/groupon-tibet-super-bowl_n_819353_76542790.html Permalink  | Share it     Page: 1 2 3 4 5 Next › Last »  (31 total) New comments on this entry — Click to refreshLoading comments… Follow Huffington Post Loading twitter module... Most Popular on HuffPost5ZGG73k7HSiLEkn8csX4skJddBOvPvL0fV5prUl9CCV98VSZdL65uCyNwQvJc9ANoThW6U0CpBdiNWEahvw%2Ftg%3D%3DV2xCxMUj14MJ4CVyxWsWavwVTtXkgbDjZFCaOsoGaUCL70ifq5pZYjXKLoxbQ2J1uaziM23zX2aPKg0fAOoLZg%3D%3D1 of 2 WATCH: Christina Aguilera Totally Messes Up National Anthem
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