Update #2: Since many people don’t seem to believe that Quiznos didn’t play a role, or at least didn’t have an understanding that the video was being made, I placed a call to Playboy to see if they could shed some light on Quiznos involvement (or lack of involvement) in regards to this video. Here is the statement they gave me:
“In tough economic times, more people than ever are turning to fast food options as a way to stretch their paycheck. Playboy.com has taken note of this trend with its own ‘video salute’ to lunchtime. The site’s editors recognized that Quiznos seems to have a good sense of humor about their brand, and didn’t hesitate in selecting them as one of the best bargains out there.”
When pressed with specific questions about if Quiznos had knowledge of the video’s release or gave tacit approval of the video, Playboy did not directly address my question, but simply replied with this statement:
“Playboy.com is responsible for the video and put it together as its ‘salute to lunchtime’.”
Does the mystery continue?
Update: Confusion is swirling online as to whether or not Quiznos had any involvement in making this video. We knew all along that it was produced by Playboy, but the assumption from most seemed to be that the prominent featuring of a Quiznos sub made clear Quiznos was part of it. AdAge reports that they have spoken with Quiznos, and the company has denied any involvement in the ad. However, many bloggers seem skeptical.
“It seems unlikely that Playboy independently produced a viral video advertising their sandwiches.”
“We’re calling bullshit, especially after watching that creepy sex-addled talking oven spot they’ve been running.”
“We can’t help but wonder just how many people over at Quiznos are loving (even hoping) this thing gets as much exposure as it’s getting. We still think there’s some shenanigans going on here.”
“We say bullshit. We’ve seen those creepy mutant hamster commercials and “Put it in me” talking-oven spots, so we know for a fact that the folks at Quiznos are sick enough to make this ad happen.”
Original Post:
Oh. My. God. I cannot believe that Quiznos made this ad. First off, for those of you unfamiliar, this ad title/concept is based off the popular viral internet video “2 girls, 1 cup.” If you haven’t seen the video before, don’t bother looking it up. I can’t even begin to describe it to you in any level of detail without losing half my readers, but lets just say that it involves 2 women, eating, a cup, human excrement, and vomit. Enough. I don’t even want to say more.
Well some marketing genius over at Quiznos decided that a phrase (2 girls, 1 cup) that most users of the internet associate with one of the most disgusting, revolting and abhorrent things they have ever seen in their lives, should also be associated with the Quiznos brand name! Yay! Think Quiznos! Think human feces and vomit!
The execution of the ad is no less appalling than the fact that some moron even thought up this idea in the first place. Two months ago, we asked in good fun if the new Padma Lakshmi Hardee’s commercial was “Soft Core Porn.” Ha! We were just joshing you. Compared to that ad, this one is like Deep Throat 7 – Tonsil’s Revenge. We also wondered if the Stacker 2 “6 hour power” ad was the most sexually explicit ad ever. Ha! That ad might as well have featured bunny rabbits and snowflakes compared to this one.
A YouTube video of the commercial is below the fold. I will tell you that while there is no nudity, this ad is about as NSFW as it can possibly be short of nudity or actual sexual intercourse – pay attention to those headphones people, there is plenty of sound! Be sure to keep reading on for my full thoughts on why this is such a horrendously awful ad.
So we have a few problems here. For starters, readers of this blog know that I think Quiznos sandwiches taste disgusting. I was already associating them with excrement and vomit. Now Quiznos has basically taken the next step and formalized my suspicions: even people in their marketing department can see the link between the taste of human excrement and vomit and the taste of their sandwiches! Otherwise, how would they have thought up this ad?
The next issue, of course, is that the two models, 21 year old Kari Nautique, and Playboy playmate Hiromi Oshima, are making noises, and writhing around, as if they are mid-orgasm while eating the sandwich. Not to mention deliberately allowing the “mayo” to become smeared all over their faces from their messy eating. I don’t even think we need to broach the subject of the phallic shape of Quizno’s sandwiches. Oh yeah, and of course, they are sitting on a bench wearing bikinis while eating the sandwich, because why wouldn’t they be?
Now as a 28 year-old male, I’m not complaining about a hot 21 year-old in a bikini. Besides, sex sells. I get it, and I don’t have a problem with that. But who is the target market for this ad? Obviously not women. Probably not old people.  I’m guessing 18 – 34 year old males is the exact target demographic they are going for. Well, I fall into that demographic. When I’m watching an ad that is trying to sell me something using sex, I should either be turned on by it or excited by the idea of watching it. Watching this ad, I felt neither of those things. I felt gross, icky and uncomfortable just watching it from the privacy of my own desk and computer screen. That’s me, a 28 year-old male. Imagine how offended/uncomfortable a woman of any age or a parent might be when they see this? Oh, and I never even mentioned the fact that Quiznos made this ad in collaboration with Playboy.
Now I could make some bold proclaimation like “I will never eat at Quizno’s again!” but that would be meaningless, because I never eat at Quizno’s anyways, because their food is horrid. But if you are a parent, and you ever take your kid to Quizno’s, stop doing so immediately. Seriously. I’m not into drawing lines for how far advertising should go, but this ad makes anti-line-drawers suddenly realize that yep, now that I’ve seen this, I know the definition of crossing the line, and this is it.
So just to re-cap the stupidity of Quizno’s on this:
- Name our ad after the most disgusting viral video ever? Check.
- Offend anyone over the age of 35 and probably almost any female? Check.
- Make even your target demo of 18-34 year old males feel uncomfortable? Check.
and finally……
- Associate your food with BOTH human excrement AND vomit? CHECK.
Well, you did it Quiznos. You made possibly the most appaling, offensive commercial possible. Now thousands, if not millions, of people who weren’t already doing so will begin to associate your food with vomit and shit. Reapeat after me: Quiznos = vomit & shit, vomit & shit, vomit & shit. Well done Quiznos marketing department, well done.
43 responses so far ↓
1 New Quizno’s Ad « Roman is Burning // May 21, 2009 at 1:55 pm
[...] New Quizno’s Ad [...]
2 Brian // May 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I also fall into the key demographic and I found nothing appealing about that ad. Just thinking about the 2 girls, 1 cup video brought back bad memories. I was starting to question what might be in that sandwich.
Like you, I never found Quiznos appealing. I went once when a chain opened in my town and haven’t been back.
3 DCBlogs // May 21, 2009 at 2:02 pm
[...] 2 Girls, 1 Sub Quiznos Marketing Department, You Disgust and Baffle Me [...]
4 Kelly // May 21, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I am 29, female, and until this point, liked Quiznos subs. I know, you don’t – opinions make the world go round.
I am not only offended, but yes, it brings back horrible memories of the 1 Cup disturbance.
I eat Quiznos like a human. Not a whore. Attention or otherwise.
5 Cary // May 21, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Why? Why does this ad exist? Quiznos was awful to begin with.
Now I’ll never eat it. Ever. Fantastic job Quiznos.
6 wouldibuyitagain // May 21, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I too am in the demographic. I agree, not a turn on. It appears to be a desperate attempt to follow Hardee’s. Thickburgers and commercials brought them back from the dead and created a brand for them. It is bad enough to watch, but add the audio…jeez. All time low for Quizno’s, and I already thought they have hit bottom.
7 Quizno’s: 2 Girls, 1 Sub Commercial « Would I Buy It Again? // May 21, 2009 at 2:35 pm
[...] Jon’s article is worth the time to read the entire post, he said it perfectly…. So Good Blog Discuss! Posted by wouldibuyitagain.com Filed in Uncategorized No Comments [...]
8 Your page is now on StumbleUpon! // May 21, 2009 at 2:47 pm
[...] Your page is on StumbleUpon [...]
9 HawkeyeReport.com - Message Boards // May 21, 2009 at 2:59 pm
[...] There's no nudity or anything, but it's questionable at best.Link: 2 Girls 1 Sub if (getCookie(“HideSigs”) != 1) { document.writeln(”); } Posted on 5/21 1:02 PM | IP: Logged var [...]
10 Raiders757 // May 21, 2009 at 4:54 pm
That was just pathetic, and I say that having seen it with no sound.
First of all. Those two women look like whores, so they aren’t even attractive at all. Maybe they would be, if they didn’t look so fake and cakes o nthe face makeup so much.
Second if all. When do women, other than being at a beach or pool, just hang around eating in their skimpy bathing suits?
Thirdly. That commercial is just plain foul. I’m not even close to being the conservative type, but that pushes it just a little too far.
Epic Fail
11 BS // May 21, 2009 at 7:56 pm
TRASH-y
12 Brian // May 21, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Is Quiznos serious? There’s no way they weren’t at least involved somehow in this. Do they expect us to believe that Playboy put two women in conservative bikinis (by Playboy standards) and had them eat a Quiznos sub in a suggestive manner?
Quiznos probably thought this would make them cool and hip but is now running as fast as they can from this garbage after it recieved a horrible response. Step up and take responsibility for your poor decisions.
13 2 Girls 1 Sub - Hawkeye Lounge // May 22, 2009 at 1:05 am
[...] 2 Girls 1 Sub You might not want to watch this if you’re at work with speakers. I’m just sayin. Quiznos [...]
14 Gregory Ng: The Frozen Food Master // May 22, 2009 at 2:07 am
This is a horrible ad for all the above reasons. But this is also a typical tactic for a brand that is in desperate need of attention.
I am in the ad industry and I cant tell you how many times a client comes to you and says, “i want to do something like _____” They dont want innovation, they want a clone and they want to copy success just like that.
I agree that there is no way Quiznos didnt have something to do with this and even if they didnt, they should not just be distancing themselves, they should be looking for a cease and desist.
You just don’t copy something like 2 girls 1 cup. really stupid.
15 shatraw // May 22, 2009 at 9:04 am
how low can we go, america?
16 shatraw // May 22, 2009 at 9:59 am
also, way to call playboy, eick. i have a feeling it’s not the first time you’ve done so…
17 Brian // May 22, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Even if Playboy is being up front about this ad there’s still no way in hell Quiznos didn’t know about it or approve it. That’s a gigantic Quiznos logo on the side of that bag and it was strategically placed where it can be well seen. I have a hard time believing Playboy would do that if Quizons had no knowledge of it or didn’t pay Playboy for the placement.
18 Josh // May 22, 2009 at 8:03 pm
So… someone… with power in the marketing department of Quiznos… had to say “This idea will work”…
While watching the 1:43 long ad, I was thinking “Wow, this is so bad… it’s funny because it’s really lame… doesn’t make me want to eat a sandwich though.”
What’s next? Chauvinistic ads for fast food?
19 Ms. Lake // May 24, 2009 at 8:54 am
Ok you state that the ad targets me but if a sandwich could make me feel like that hell I would run five minutes down the street to get one right now.
I have no idea what sex has to do with a sub but I love quiznos and I am going to keep eating their salads and sandwiches.
20 Sunday’s Link Stew 5/25/09 | Fayettevittles // May 25, 2009 at 1:41 am
[...] fail! Quizno’s new “2 Girls, 1 Sub†ad. If you’ve ever seen the video this is a reference to, God help [...]
21 Uncle Willie // May 25, 2009 at 1:02 pm
This ad is awesome. Loved every second of it. It shows two hot girls enjoying a very good sandwich. I love Quiznos. I just think that they are a little expensive comp0ared to other sub sandwiches.
I’ll be eating there more often now, after seeing this advertisement.
22 Big Buff // May 25, 2009 at 4:04 pm
this ad is great. I bet the women complaining are a bunch of fat pigs. If more women ate this way, I would go into Quiznos everyday.
23 Zen Warrior // May 25, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I think that the indignation is overblown. These opinions mean nothing to the thousands of people who put their idealism aside for a profit every day. Compared to the Wall Street Whores who stole all our money, this is two girls trying to make a buck. As a male, how can you begin to project your feelings on all women of whatever age. Stick to food.
24 Heather // May 26, 2009 at 1:53 pm
It just wasn’t enough of anything for me. Not gross enough, not camp enough, not hot enough. I pointed this out to a friend and he called me a jaded perv.
Still, if they’d gotten into a fight over it, and ripped each others clothes off…. *then* I’d be wanting Quiznos. Right now? meh. weaksauce.
25 Tony // May 27, 2009 at 1:13 am
What is more appalling is the fact that the media wants to make a big deal out of this and they end up doing is adding to the promotion. This becomes a marketing genious because they don’t even have to pay for air time on a major network. The frenzy caused by the media and all of the stories and national attention make this advertisement gold. Call it disgusting, call it porn, the media and anyone reporting or writing a column on this issue is only helping to promote it which makes you worse because of the spotlight and further promotion you put on this issue. I can’t believe you have the nerve to point your finger at the commercial and then the media gives it national attention. The media is disgusting as well.
26 Mishi // May 27, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Wow. I had no idea this commerical existed until I saw it on your blog. All I can say is, thank goodness my work computer doesn’t have sound, because I’d hate to be fired for sandwich porn!
This commerical is just…creepy!
27 PJ // May 30, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Jeezus Quizno’s. It was bad enough that you discontinued the smoked turkey… now every time I look at the Quizno’s next to my office you want me to think of eating feces?
Can’t wait for the “Toasty Goatse” campaign…
28 Nate // Jun 2, 2009 at 2:34 pm
No way Quiznos marketing didn’t know about it beforehand. Heads should roll.
*ick*
29 Quizno’s Torpedoes Their Social Media Ship | Marketing | Affinitive's Social Media Playground // Jun 11, 2009 at 8:13 pm
[...] (Quizno’s denies any knowledge or involvement in the production of the video, but the majority agrees something doesn’t quite smell right) missed the reason why 2 Girls 1 Cup went viral in the first [...]
30 Blow Jobs, Burger King and Seven Inches of Meat | So Good // Jun 24, 2009 at 5:57 pm
[...] blatantly using sexual innuendo in your advertising, this is the print ad equivalent of the “Two Girls, One Sub” video that Quizno’s may or may not have been behind. Burger King’s ad agency, [...]
31 Jonathan Cramer // Jun 25, 2009 at 11:12 am
Lol! This ad is awesome. It doesn’t make me want to eat quizno’s though. It makes me want to eat shit – yum! I’m gonna go do that, brb.
32 Phallic Burger King Ad - Page 5 - The Gear Page // Jun 26, 2009 at 4:36 pm
[...] (which is true), but why would Playboy just independently make a commercial for a sandwich chain? http://www.sogoodblog.com/2009/05/21…isgust-baffle/ The original content was so disgusting though, making a food connection to it just seems amazing [...]
33 Epic fail - Page 2 - Diablo 3 & Diablo 2 Forums // Aug 18, 2009 at 2:43 pm
[...] or something, are you going to scream out, "2 GIRLS 1 CUP"? Hmmmmmm (probably NSFW): http://www.sogoodblog.com/2009/05/21…isgust-baffle/ __________________ One, two! One, two! and through and through / The vorpal blade went [...]
34 dylan // Aug 22, 2009 at 2:10 pm
While not knowing what 2 girls 1 cup was, I watched the 2 girls 1 sub clip and loved it. I later found the 2 girls 1 cup clip and it made me think, who looks for this kind of vid? Really, if you knew what the 2 girls 1 cup vid was before you viewed the 2 girls 1 sub vid, what does that say about you?
Never ate from Quiznos, but I will now
35 Fayettevittles » Blog Archive » Sunday’s Link Stew 5/25/09 // Aug 27, 2009 at 6:55 pm
[...] fail! Quizno’s new “2 Girls, 1 Sub†ad. If you’ve ever seen the video this is a reference to, God help [...]
36 dru // Sep 11, 2009 at 5:40 pm
“Big Buff // May 25, 2009 at 4:04 pm
this ad is great. I bet the women complaining are a bunch of fat pigs. If more women ate this way, I would go into Quiznos everyday.”
Seriously? Did you REALLY just say that?
Possibly – POSSIBLY – if the women involved in that kind of eating were super-uber-ridiculously hot, then yes. But for the most part, I have to say that it would get REALLY annoying listening to her moan and gasp over a sandwich when I BET she wouldn’t be half as enthused over me.
Also: Can you say “dumb fuck” Seriously. “I bet they’re fat pigs, obviously attractive women all love to be gawked at and treated as though they’re a piece of property.”
Flame, i realize, but man, c’mon.
37 What is Sex Selling Today? « Kdevita's Blog // Nov 1, 2009 at 10:46 am
[...] click here. Further background information and a male bloggers perspective on the video, click here. The commercial was apparently produced by Playboy and Quizno’s denied having anything to do with [...]
38 rebel cry // Feb 9, 2010 at 9:57 am
“Put it in me Scott.”
Sex sells but not like this!
39 Sunday’s Link Stew 5/25/09 // Mar 4, 2010 at 12:08 am
[...] fail! Quizno’s new “2 Girls, 1 Sub†ad. If you’ve ever seen the video this is a reference to, God help [...]
40 Funny or Tasteless? « buROCKracy // Mar 9, 2010 at 6:10 pm
[...] has apparently told the Adage, at least, according to the SoGoodBlog, that they were not involved in the ad, that it was entirely cooked up by Playboy, who they condemn [...]
41 Quizno's: 2 Girls, 1 Sub Commercial | Would I Buy It Again? // Apr 8, 2010 at 10:54 pm
[...] article is worth the time to read the entire post, he said it perfectly…. So Good Blog Discuss! AKPC_IDS += [...]
42 The Obama administration reveals its stance on obscenity - Susannah Breslin - Off the Record - True/Slant // Apr 22, 2010 at 11:54 am
[...] are “community standards” in the digital era? What is “offensive” when a Quiznos commercial is a nod to “2 Girls 1 Cup”? What is “prurient” when Jenna Jameson is a [...]
43 2 girls 1 cup // Sep 14, 2011 at 5:21 am
Very original ad, you have to give them that
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