Clowns are real cut-ups on store chain's video ads
Last Updated: Friday, May 8, 2009 | 11:16 AM ET
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Quebec's biggest chain of convenience stores, Couche-Tard, is running humorous video ads on the internet that don't have everyone laughing, particularly clowns.
The videos are designed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the chain's popular frozen slushy drink, the Sloche.
One video shows a gaudily dressed clown being fed through a wood chipper, with balloons and confetti coming out the other end. In another video, a clown is hacked up by a butcher.
The videos are no laughing matter for retired clown Giovanni Iuliani, 68, who once went by the name of Patapouf. He calls the videos disgusting.
Had the clown been exchanged for another profession, such as a police officer, Iuliani said, the videos would have attracted a major backlash.
He wants the association of Quebec clowns, which represents about 60 clowns in the province, to protest the online ad campaign.
The company is defending the ads. Spokeswoman Jacinthe Harnois said Friday that adults may find the ads distasteful, but they're not targeted at adults, but instead are aimed at teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18.
Iuliani said that's no consolation, as anyone can view them.
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