Viewers rise up against 'Saved by Zero' ads

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

The murderous hatred being directed toward Toyota's "Saved by Zero" ads has been building for a few weeks now, and it's become semi-official with this Associated Press story. A number of Web sites—Esquire, Best Week Ever, Consumerist and Jalopnik among them—have been hosting rants about the ads, which feature the admittedly awful 1983 song "Saved by Zero" by British new-wave group The Fixx. By and large, viewers feel an urge to end their own lives and/or other people's when the ads come on: "It makes me want to kill someone/never ever buy a Toyota."

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in