Nationwide Is Appalled You Think Their Fear-Mongering Dead Kid Super Bowl Commercial Was Meant To Sell Insurance

If you watched the Super Bowl last night, you probably had a WTF moment with the rest of the country, when what looked to be a coming-of-age ad about a boy and his experiences turned into the biggest buzz kill of all time.

Let’s watch:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRVslkan08U]

How sad. That little kid could’ve done all that stuff, but now he can’t because he’s DEAD. He’ll never learn to ride a bike, or be grossed out by girls, or invent some flying machine, or get lost at sea in the bathtub with his dog. Because he’s dead. Because you left him unattended in the tub, didn’t properly secure your TV or lock your poisonous cleaning agents away.

Parents and other people with eyes and judgment are pissed because they think the commercial was in bad taste. The commercial even inspired a hashtag, #NationwideKills:

 

 

There are many more where that came from. Is poking fun at a tasteless commercial, tasteless? I obviously don’t think so.

Nationwide released a statement trying to do some damage control. From NBC News:

Preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths in America. Most people don’t know that. Nationwide ran an ad during the Super Bowl that started a fierce conversation. The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us-the safety and well being of our children. We knew the ad would spur a variety of reactions. In fact, thousands of people visited MakeSafeHappen.com, a new website to help educate parents and caregivers with information and resources in an effort to make their homes safer and avoid a potential injury or death. Nationwide has been working with experts for more than 60 years to make homes safer. While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere.

Did you hear that? The SOLE PURPOSE of the ad was to “start a conversation.” Because Nationwide really cares about all the kids you’re doing a horrible job of protecting. Also, insurance companies aren’t in the business of making money. I can’t even type that with a straight face. I’m snickering right now. Yes, clearly Nationwide paid Super Bowl ad prices as their own form of charity. They just want to keep kids safe. That’s it.

I’m terrified of the dangers all the things in that ad pose to children: water, poisonous household chemicals, giant TV’s. I’m a nervous mom — I admit. I understand it’s an important message but the delivery was terrible. Releasing a statement pretending they made the ad to start some conversation — not to sell insurance — just adds insult to injury.

(photo: YouTube)

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