Groupon Super Bowl Commercials Raise Controversy, Groupon Defends Ads

Feb 8 2011, 6:51am CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Bad press is better than no press. The Groupon Super Bowl Commercial titled Tibet has triggered a ton of negative feedback. Timothy Hutton starts out the commercial with saying that the people of Tibet are in trouble, but then switches over to talk about Fish Curry and how he saved cash by using Groupon. It is a crass combination and it is understandable that many find this Groupon Super Bowl commercial offending. The Groupon Whale commercial that ran during the Pre-Game raised similar negative reactions.

Groupon has posted an explanation and defense on why they think the ads are reasonable. Groupon's roots lie actually in social activism and they are still supporting social causes and raise money for community organizations via SaveTheMoney.org.

Groupon argues that the objectification of women in Super Bowl ads is a offending. Their ads are not as Groupon is not intended to trivialize the big causes shown. Groupon also got the support of Greenpeace for the Whales commercial.

In my opinion the Groupon Super Bowl commercials are great. They gave big causes exposure during Super Bowl. By associating them with something lowly as saving money on Fish Curry they start conversation. By backing with the whole campaign community organizations it is all good and fun. I actually did not expect Groupon to make such great commercials. After all these are their first TV commercials.

Watch the Groupon Super Bowl commercial below. To watch the other Groupon Ads visit our earlier report about the Groupon Ads.

Just like last year, I4U News features again the Super Bowl for Geeks Guide. Of course the Super Bowl 2011 for Geeks Guide will be all about the 2011 Super Bowl Commercials and not the big game. Watch the Top 10 Super Bowl Commercials of 2011 as well as the 2011 USA Today Admeter results. Find all 2011 Super Bowl Ads in our complete Super Bowl 2011 Ad Video Gallery.

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.