The Michael Collins 22 Society plans to contact Ireland’s national broadcaster (RTE) and the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) to ask why they are broadcasting an advertisement for bread featuring footage of the founder of the IRA, Michael Collins.
The society told the Evening Herald that they are uncomfortable with this footage being used in the Johnston Mooney and O'Brien advertisement.
President of the society Noel Coonan said, “We are concerned when people just jump on board for benefit other than historical, other than reflecting the true life history of Michael Collins," he said.
Coonan, a North Tipperary Fine Gael politician, continued, “It appears that they are building on the popularity of others to achieve commercial gain.
"And we would like to know what contribution, if any, they are making to any of the people or any organization in the ad."
The Michael Collins 22 Society was founded to perpetuate the name of the Irish leader.
Collins’ grand-niece, Nora Owen, is one of the society’s patrons. Among the objectives of the group is “for the erection by the State of his statue in the courtyard of Leinster house by 2022 (the centenary of his death)”.
Coonan said, “We were founded originally because the name Michael Collins was airbrushed from our of history…In the 60s, 70s and 80s, he was rarely mentioned in history books so we want to [promote the] real practical knowledge of Michael Collins.”
The advertisement in question was released last Friday (see video below). It opens with images of Collins before using historical footage of Ireland to celebrate the bakery’s long existence on the island.
The voiceover says, “Great tasting bread over 175 years. There's history in the baking.”
Here’s the Johnson Mooney and O’Brien advertisement:
8 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seanomelb | Mar 25, 2012, 01:07 AM EDT
Maybe J.M and OB should give details of Irish history on its wrapping
occassio | Mar 23, 2012, 01:09 PM EDT
I like the idea of the ad; just not the three second (?) Michael Collins video. I'm a member of The Michael Collins 22 Society and believe that his historic contribution needs putting in proper perspective. That is not why I don't believe his bit is misplaced. I believe it doesn't synch with the other video pieces. I have some marketing background so I've watched it several times for additional perspectives. But, his piece does not contribute to a seamless and meaningful advert. The commercial is a hodge podge of unrelated moments and not one of them in kitchen with someone baking. However, this video is newsworthy and is used often. I doubt The Society has rights to it. We are coming on to the 90th anniversary of his death and I agree with sirpeter that the ad might prompt more discussion of MC -- and in the proper perspective. The best part of the ad is the end voice-over, 'There's history in the baking'.
sirpeter | Mar 23, 2012, 11:08 AM EDT
I like the TV ad very much.I think Collins would approve of it as it has an uplifting Irish theme to it.Michael Collins and General Tom Barry come up in conversation on a regular basis in Cork.Michael Collins was a man of the Irish people not some select society.
pilib04 | Mar 23, 2012, 08:47 AM EDT
Here we go again. Outrage over Michael Collins name, Outrage over Black and Tan Nikes. Get over yourselves. You aren't even serious. Nobody complains about Yuenglings Black and Tan. Wonder why that is? Why shoes and not beer? What possible reason could that be??? Couldn't we get outraged about something important. Perhaps the bankers of Ireland putting the Irish people in debt forever!!!
Murph46 | Mar 22, 2012, 07:21 PM EDT
Not too cynical are ya seanomelb.
seanomelb | Mar 22, 2012, 07:05 PM EDT
As kids in Dublin we sang a ditty "Johnston Mooney and O'Brien sold a horse for one and nine".Maybe showing Collins on the ad might invoke some kids to ask "who is Collins?" A history lesson by default.The Collins society should move on and get a life.
seanomelb | Mar 22, 2012, 05:30 PM EDT
He has got to be good for something.
johhnyb | Mar 22, 2012, 10:12 AM EDT
More outrage in Ireland! Albeit unnoticed by most of the Irish.