Black humour turns on black gold in Chevron ad parody

Those who enjoy a spot of satire may love this spoof 'ad by an oil company'. Titled simply 'Chevron ad' after the US multinational energy company it takes aim at, it's by US comedian and writer/director Adam McKay, who forged a name for himself in the '90s on the TV sketch show Saturday Night Live. The fossil fuel industry has long come under criticism, and particularly so in the current climate change debate. This 'ad campaign' deploys all the familiar images of happy people in harmony with themselves, each other, and Nature which we are regularly exposed to in ads for all types of products and services. The tagline 'Nothing is more precious than life' takes an unexpected turn as the increasingly laconic voiceover describes a reality far removed from the attractive pictures being flashed before us. What do you think of the campaign? A great takedown of Big Oil and fossil fuel multinationals? A stiletto in the side of advertising? Or more of an uncomfortable look in the mirror as we see our emotions and responses manipulated by lovely pictures we want to believe in?

Keywords: Chevron ad satire, Adam McKay Chevron ad, Big Oil satirised, satire in advertising, satirical commercials, Steven San Miguel voice, Hyperobject Industries