‘Both is better’ says Optus as customers face chicken salt dilemma in fish and chip shop

Optus and 72andSunny have launched an ad which aims to promote the telecommunications company’s coverage and value by stating ‘both is better’.
The ad gives Australians other examples of when choices can be overwhelming and “both is better”, including at the fish and chip shop when picking between chicken salt and regular salt on chips.
Titled ‘Chip Shop’, the campaign is centred around a man who is confronted by a choice which has divided Australians for decades, choosing between regular or chicken salt.
The campaign is also rolling out across print and outdoor.
The ad aims to show consumers that they don’t always have to chose between two options when faced with difficult decisions.
Melissa Hopkins, head of marketing at Optus, said in a statement: “The campaign is in response to research which found some mobile users felt trapped paying more than they should for great coverage, or are underwhelmed by the network experience that typically comes with competitively priced plans.
“We are simply reminding customers they don’t need to choose: they can have a premium network with extensive coverage and excellent value plans with Optus.”
Credits:
- Director: Steve Rogers
- Creative Agency: 72andSunny Sydney
- Production Company: Revolver
- Research Agency: Forward Scout
- Media Agency: UM
- Design Agency: Yes Agency
Chip shop ad is way to deep, I get it, but what a waste. Sorry way off the mark sure you can have more than one choice but this is about a telco, I have wasted too much time thinking about it, and in my experience I don’t get Optus coverage in the country at busy times, fix those issues
That song on the add sounds like a loop sample from koto dragons ledgend
Sponsored entertainment if you ask me. Remove Optus and put anything else it still works
Excellent execution though and definitely cracks me up every time I see it
Do I think about Optus at all? Yeah nah
Great ad! I have absolutely no interest in mobile phones, but on seeing this advertisement, looked it up to see what it was about. I’ll certainly bear Optus in mind in future.
Most ridiculous ad ever , what has salt got to do with a mobile phone , do not see any connection and either does anyone I ask .Sure we are talking about a stupid Optus ad but that’s as far as it goes
Stupid ad.. especially when they start doing that stupid dance at the end with the the blaink stupid look of there face like WTF optus…
It’s from the second half of Jabdah, not Dragon’s legend 🙂 I couldn’t believe my ears when I saw this ad first :))
Rubbish ad. Would not go near Optus is they think an offensive and rude pratt is a role model of … whatever? The guy who wants both salts is a dill! Are the zombie dancers meant to symbolize the quality of non-service Optus will be providing?
Optus won a gold Effie award for their work over the last couple of years promoting network coverage with Usain Bolt. Despite that campaign being termed as a “long-term strategy”, it seems like they’ve ditched it for a much less single-minded proposition of “both”. I wonder if their coverage debacle during the FIFA World Cup has anything to do with it?
ABSOLUTE CRAP !!
Should be banned totally agree with Don – no wonder our kids not using please or thank you !
Imagine the cost of this worthless production – three media agencies plus all the trips and lunches what a wasted space.
Stupid Ad
Is the red head guy in the advert the guy from travel guides jonathan fren? I think the ad is great but our family debate is is it him!!!
I agree hence why I’ve looked it up. Most pathetic add ever, I hate it
Another advertisment showing stupid men. How have things turned, not for equality.
Absolutely stupid advert. I wondered what it had to do with telecommunications. Explanations seem a bit lame. The idiotic blank looks on the faces of the dancing customers are the biggest turn-off. Surely Optus could do better than that! The only person acting relatively normally is the shop proprietor.
I think the ad is great, entertaining and engaging but not at all informative. A lot of persons here ask what has it to do with telecommunications, it’s just a guy wanting both salts on his chips. The fact these people are commenting means the campaign is working better than they think. Little do they realise the ad has penetrated their pea brains and now they are venting their frustrations to learn more. So as the old adage goes, any campaign that gets people talking is a good campaign.
Why should it be banned??? It has nothing to do with the ill manners most children have, it’s simply a result of their parents. You can’t keep blaming everyone else for the way your kids behave.
It still got you tapping the keyboard didn’t it? The ad must have worked Stevo!
From another planet are you? How does this ad portray this so called lack of equality?
One of the worst commercials I have seen on television. Surely someone has a better imagination than that.
People got paid for this insult. Orwellian, blank faced morons make me think about how terrible suburbia is.
Options…my arse.
I agree- who is that bloke with his mouth open like a fish -dumb ad
love it, so many times have come to this predicament and never thought to say both.
This should be classified as a community announcement
best ad i have seen since the ford lady
Absolutely love this ad although I’m not an Optus customer. It’s funny, the characters are excellent and anyone around my vintage will instantly recognise the ‘old fashioned’ fish & chip shop.
Tim
I agree it is an absolutely brilliant advertisement. I love the sneer after he receives his order.. Mind you I retired at 24 years of age and am nearing 60 so I suppose i can think differently than most..
OH – Just cut to the chase, guys.
Q.1 WHERE is the Shop ??
Q.2 IS the Salt-Seller (boom, tish !) an Actor, or the real Owner ??
Q.3 Is that Mrs/Ms Seller (or an actor) ??
Going very well on the multicultural-Oz, Optus Yes –
Q.4 Are they the archetypal Greek (or regional) Owners ??
Trev, it’s “in too deep” – that’s a Fryer jest.
Nick, surely you’d appreciate that the abbreviation of Advertisement is advert., or ad. – Not “add” – just summing-up there.
Congratulations to the Ad. Agency – very amusing. Makes the claim to match the behemoth’s coverage, boldly going over the surreal.
I have found Optus’s support staff quite helpful, and just re-signed for a better value new Data deal – conflict of interest declared – which is more than your average Politician can do. Cheerio.
Terrible ad. Nothing in it to make me consider moving to Optus.
I am embarrassed that I am with optus with this ad. I am embarrassed for the people in it I am just embarrassed. It would have to be the worst ad I have ever seen!
Love this ad. Pure joy and nostalgia. Love the setting and the actors. I actually looked this up on the Internet to see if it used a real location. Only problem with the ad is it makes me want to get a hamburger and chips, not a telco. But don’t be sad 72andSunny. I’m already an Optus customer and I do get great value and country coverage in a Telstra black spot. Thanks for making me smile
Sorry I looked it up because I had no idea what it was about,or what was being sold by who.
People have to lighten up
It’s funny, it’s only an advert, they’re not out to change your life, it’s just to put a smile on your face.
Good or bad, they got a reaction.
Optus, you win 10/10
Such a rude, horrible un explained add ever produced. It should be removed immediately. Expect better from optus.
Chicken salt and plain salt are petter mixed toget next time U have some hot chip put both on them and try it
That woman is so gormless!
Woman is So gormless
Is that red headed actor in the Optus chicken salt or salt add. Jonathan fren.
Really love this ad… gets me laughing every time!
Absolutely love this Add
Every time I saw this ad, I switched off my tv. Crappy ad, looks like [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
I love this ad. I looked it up to see what it was about, so how clever is that?
Totally agree, no please and thankyou.I would have told him to leave.
Stupid add and the customer has no manners at all. No please or thank you
The concept of having both is ok but who in optus ever thought that it is ok for a customer to be so rude and offensive. Maybe this is the signal that optus would like us customers to behave rudely with their staff. Get the ad off optus, as it is displaying disgraceful behaviour.
Great add! I love it and look up each time! I’d love to know the answer to a question up above too. Is the redhead Jonathon Fren?
All the actors [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
The gentleman needs manners and should say thankyou when given his chips
Stupid add. Could have at least had a please and a thank you in it and not promote unhealthy eating. Shame for promoting the mannerless society.
Need the name of the female in this Optus ad.
Just a Riidiculous Add
I think everyone knew they have a choice before that crap came along
you need to get rid of the commercial concerning that fish and chip shop, very insulting, no respect to the owner, the three of them have no respect, disgusted shame on you as a business
Totally agree. The attitude portrayed is NOT the kind this world needs but is sadly one that is becoming common. Change the station when it comes on. Why use rude and negative behavior when there are so many positive ways to get across idea that ‘Both is better’?
It’s a brilliant ad! And for those naive enough to think it’s promoting unhealthy eating/bad manners etc., do you therefore also think it is promoting dad-dancing in your local chippie?!? Lighten up folk, we need more things like this to smile at!
Do not appreciate this advert.
It is full of disrespect as it contains absolutely no manners – No “both please”, No “Thank you”
We expect to be treated with respect. What message is this sending to children?
i beg your pardon
excuse my i’m offended
This ad is awesome. Most people commenting here are too shallow to understand its complexity. It works on many levels. I love the random dancing and serious face. The music is what you would not expect.
That’s what I want to know
Surprise another feminazi with an agenda
Looks like travel ginger boy. Well played if so as most didn’t overtly get why there was a sense of familiarity
WTF ARE YOU ON ABOUT. ROBYN!?!?!
” attitude portrayed……. Blah blah. ” for fuck sake [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
Totally agree with you Robyn, ill mannered morons! An insult to our intelligence.
I love that ad, cracks me up every time. Just shows 3 potential customers for phone plans. The older lady just shuffled blank faced showing she does not care. The flouro guy will be interested as long as the deal is sexy and the red head is decisive and wants more bang for buck. The shop owner is being made aware and he represents the corporate giant. Oh… did I over think this….. don’t care, still entertains.
The most moronic advert ever shown on TV.
An ex Optus customer!
It doesnt matter what it advertises, it cracks me up every time. The stone faced dance moves are fantastically unenthusiastic and I particularly love the little hop the lady does part of the way through to show she really is having fun. My problem is I am afraid of unconciously imitating the moves. These guys are dancing as if someone IS watching.
No one wants to endure garbage like that repetitively day in day out. It’s annoying, irrelevant and counter productive to the growth of the company.
You need to get a life man, it’s the funniest ad since the 1970’s !!!!
I agree. Terrible ad. Why are the 3 dancers such dills? I just don’t get it. Hate the ad
i sooo love this advert……love the look on their faces and the daggy dancing…………does anyone know who the actors are???
Most ridiculous and annoying ad on tv
Is the red head the red head dude from travel guides
Hilarious,my 88yo mum loves it,well done✔
Love this ad! Love the dance! Want the time for my ringtone!
Where is the shop?
Your spot on Danno
My fav ad…..brilliant, all the actors are barest dead pan delivery, luv it, mad
What?! This is a great ad!
What is the name of the song?
This ad should be removed. Children watch this and see adults being disrespectful…no please or thank you. Just a no from me
Is that Jonathan of travel guides in add
What an amazing add who ever did this needs a raise well done it hits hard
Great ad, who did the song? but our towers would run better if Telstra stopped renting them out, I live in the bush
Great ad, lasting impression indeed.
It has nothing to do with manners, it’s matter of fact and quirky – It’s an ‘AD’ !!!! – love it. We as a family always laugh about it every time it comes on.
I am though interested as to where the actual shop is located, if at all ?
Wonder how many Fish and Chip shops now get ‘both’ as the answer, followed by an unemotional quirky/awkward dance …. LOL ? Classic!
Optus I can’t stand this add. I close my eyes every time it’s on and don’t open them till the next add. For goodness sake make another add.
The shop is See Tucker and Eat It in Smith Street, South Penrith.
I agree that the customer’s attitude is off particularly in the full ad where he walks out with the chips like a douche. This is probably why the ad has been cut down in recent runs.
I would LOVE to bust moves like that lady but no matter how hard I try I just can’t get it right. I think the look on her face is concentration, she takes her dancing very seriously. And yes, it’s all about that sideways hop, she really goes for broke there.
I am with you George…This is a classic. I couldn’t help myself the other day and asked for both when ordering my fish & chips. The whole shop went into laughter. Proof that it is very popular.
Love the simplicity and “stupid humour” in this ad, well done I say!
No BS that’s talking you into anything with high glossy dolled up tarts, no fake families, no animated rot, no storytelling or over acting people or voices.
The BEST thing about this ad – reading through these comments from those who dislike it, Haaaahahaa laughing my guts out at how some people are so deeply touched! Lighten up for goodness sake.
Well done Optus.
We want to learn the moves !!!
Sooo going to do this now!
Best ad since “Gotta getta Holden Nova!!!”
It might be funny to some, but it shows a clear lack of manners. No please or thank you from the moron buying the chips. No wonder our kids develop bad manners.
Spot on
Staying with Telstra .. far better service and it’s Australian
Can’t spell Borge? You’re is the word you might be looking for.
Who is the black guy in the fish and chip ad.
This add is awesome… The humour is so deep
Love it
People need to lighten up. It’s an ad. It’s gotten people talking about it so it’s worked in some ways.
For all those saying that this is sending bad messages to children, this is one of the biggest problems with today’s generation, they’re letting TV and social media bring their children up. Everyone just wants to throw blame to justify their own laziness, that’s what is really disgusting and disrespectful, not a TV ad.
Rant over
Why do the Gubers dance around like Zombies at some sort of Haiti Voodoo Ceremony ?
Absolutely agree! I love this ad! It has nothing to do with manners at all, the whole situation is meant to be awkward and bizarre, and most of all funny! Not a lesson in how to talk to people. If every ad had to be based on moral values and life lessons nothing would be very exciting or entertaining!
Great ad. Like the old violet crumble ad. It’s done the job we are all talking about it.