Rena Inoue & John Baldwin's first Ad for AFLAC

[dorispulaski]

Inoue & Baldwin's Japanese commercial for AFLAC has aired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umiWNIy3tqI

The youtube poster has thoughtfully included English subtitles. Rena is talking about her life. It isn't clear what that has to do with the duck at the end

This will be a difficult year for them. The rules in pairs have changed a lot, and there are more pairs with good skills this year.

It won't seem like Nationals when they finally retire, though.

 

[Tinymavy15]

nice commercial, but sad to see it in Japanese. I thought it would be more of a comedy with the duck ( most are). But it made me remember what a strong woman Rena is.

 

[76olympics]

That was very sweet. I agree that it was more touching than humorous, though. Maybe, they will chase the duck in the next commercial!

I really don't know what to predict for pairs this season. I used to be so disinterested in ice dance; I didn't even follow Torvill and Dean! But, the last year or so, I have been more interested in ice dance than pairs! That is really strange for me! I always thought Inoue and Baldwin were underrated. They weren't as strong in the twists ,jumps,or lifts but I always loved their spins and footwork. They have such good unison.

 

[PolymerBob]

Does John get to talk in these commercials?

 

[dorispulaski]

Well, I doubt that he speaks Japanese ...

there is supposed to be an English commercial later.

 

[Mathman]

To Golden Skaters who speak Japanese, was there any mention of insurance in this clip? It seemed like they could be saying something like, no one knows when a health crises might stike -- just like with Rena and her father -- so that's why you need Aflac supplementary health insurnace. Was there anything like that in the ad?

 

[PolymerBob]

When I was a kid, I used to watch Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Man, that show was a religion in my house. But at the time, I didn't understand corporate sponsorship. I couldn't figure out why those guys were in suits and ties harping about insurance during the breaks. They should be back in the jungle wrestling anaconda.

 

[capcomop]

When I was a kid, I used to watch Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Man, that show was a religion in my house. But at the time, I didn't understand corporate sponsorship. I couldn't figure out why those guys were in suits and ties harping about insurance during the breaks. They should be back in the jungle wrestling anaconda.

No, no, no. They stay in insurance building while the assistant wrestles the anaconda!

 

[vlaurend]

To Golden Skaters who speak Japanese, was there any mention of insurance in this clip? It seemed like they could be saying something like, no one knows when a health crises might stike -- just like with Rena and her father -- so that's why you need Aflac supplementary health insurnace. Was there anything like that in the ad?

At the end, the text in the middle of the screen says, "No. 1 in cancer insurance" (below, it says, "in number of policies" and cites the source of that information)

 

[sorcerer]

To Golden Skaters who speak Japanese, was there any mention of insurance in this clip? It seemed like they could be saying something like, no one knows when a health crises might stike -- just like with Rena and her father -- so that's why you need Aflac supplementary health insurnace. Was there anything like that in the ad?

The english caption on the YouTube clip practically fully translates the voice.
It's the usual aesthetics to let the viewers fill in the most important message which is needless to be announced.
The viewers already know AFLAC is an insurance company.
All they need is to connect the circumstance needing insurance with the nuance of happiness, beauty, quality of life, etc.

Comfort a person, and he/she may obey you.... that's the style here in Japan, I think.

 

[Mathman]

Thanks, VLaurend.

Very interesting, Sorcerer. In the U.S. the advertising style is to beat the viewer over the head with it. We seem to need a squawking duck shouting AFLAC! AFLAC! AFLAC! before we get the message.