La Cucaracha makes speed
Public transportation company Ruf Lanz is teaming up with Greenpeace to advocate for the VBZ and has released a commercial that isn't entirely politically correct.
Public transport Ruf Lanz argues the case for VBZ with Greenpeace and a politically incorrect commercial. First things first: Ruf Lanz uses an amazing campaign to show how environmentally friendly VBZ vehicles are. Using the example of original images "generously provided by Greenpeace", as Danielle Lanz expresses her gratitude, the audience is given a demonstration: As an environmentalist, you can either sit in front of large vehicles. Or inside them every day. Because if you travel with VBZ, you have less of an impact on the environment. This applies not only to the streetcars, but also to the buses. In addition to the electronically powered trolleybuses, VBZ has been using particle filters and practically sulphur-free diesel since 1989. The environment is not neglected in the maintenance of the vehicles either: thanks to gentle care products and washing lanes with reconditioning facilities. The politically committed subjects appear as advertisements and posters, and Ruf Lanz and VBZ also presented a commercial this summer that was less politically committed than incorrect. This caused much amusement among the audience at the Orange Cinema on the lake. And "caused quite a stir in Zurich during the sour-pickle period", as Markus Ruf is naturally pleased to report. The background: On average, there is a bus stop every 300 meters in the city of Zurich. Ruf Lanz dramatized this advantage for her long-standing client VBZ with a funny joke about three South American street musicians. Dressed in their typical poncho outfits and sombreros, they board a VBZ streetcar and play the well-known "La cucaracha" at a ludicrously fast tempo. After all, the passengers could get off the tram in Zurich in 300 meters...
Shortly after the premiere, the commercial even made it onto the front page of 20 Minuten under the headline "VBZ make fun of sombrero musicians". Consul Manuel Diaz Lerma from the Mexican embassy in Bern wondered what the Mexican population thought of the film. As a regular moviegoer, CD Markus Ruf said: "The most important thing is what the audience at the Kino am See thinks, because that's the target group for the commercial. And they reacted very positively." He also believes that South American musicians in Zurich have been part of everyday life in the streetcars for years, wearing a folklore look and thus deliberately playing on the cliché of colorful, cheerful people. "Why shouldn't advertising be allowed to take up this reality with a wink?"
The commercial produced by Rosas 'n' Co is now well on its way to becoming a cult hit. Bloggers have placed the nimble sombrero troupe on several video portals such as YouTube. And the 20-minute survey "Have VBZ gone too far?" produced a clear result: 76% answered no.
Andreas Panzeri
Shortly after the premiere, the commercial even made it onto the front page of 20 Minuten under the headline "VBZ make fun of sombrero musicians". Consul Manuel Diaz Lerma from the Mexican embassy in Bern wondered what the Mexican population thought of the film. As a regular moviegoer, CD Markus Ruf said: "The most important thing is what the audience at the Kino am See thinks, because that's the target group for the commercial. And they reacted very positively." He also believes that South American musicians in Zurich have been part of everyday life in the streetcars for years, wearing a folklore look and thus deliberately playing on the cliché of colorful, cheerful people. "Why shouldn't advertising be allowed to take up this reality with a wink?"
The commercial produced by Rosas 'n' Co is now well on its way to becoming a cult hit. Bloggers have placed the nimble sombrero troupe on several video portals such as YouTube. And the 20-minute survey "Have VBZ gone too far?" produced a clear result: 76% answered no.
Andreas Panzeri
