Nationwide 2015 Super Bowl Commercial, Make Safe Happen – Maybe One of the Darkest, Inappropriate Super Bowl Commercials Ever (VIDEO)

MAYBE ALL PR REALLY ISN’T GOOD PR … Nationwide Insurance delivered a gut-punch to all those watching Super Bowl commercials.

Although this is an important message and something all parents need to be mindful of when it comes to their children, the Super Bowl was not the place to show this commercial. The powers that be at Nationwide decided on the the following to be their 2015 Super Bowl Commercial, ‘Make Safe Happen’ . YIKES! It maybe one of the darkest, inappropriate Super Bowl commercials ever. There is nothing like “DEATH” to break the mood of people trying to enjoy their Super Bowl Sunday. If those who thought GoDaddy’s spoof dog commercial was inappropriate, which was pulled, I could only imagine the uproar over this one.

A Nationwide commercial for the 2015 Super Bowl was called “dark and depressing” and drew a ton of negative online reaction Sunday night.

The spot started off in a whimsical way, with a boy riding his three-wheeler: ”I’ll never learn to ride a bike,” he said.

Daily Mail:

Nationwide Insurance has sparked outrage after showing a ‘dark’ and ‘depressing’ commercial about a young boy who died in a preventable accident during the Super Bowl XLIX.

In the advert, the cherub-faced child talks about all the milestones he will miss out on after dying in an accident, including learning to ride a bike, receiving ‘cooties’ from a girl and getting married.

In a voice brimming with hope and potential, he says: ‘I’ll never learn to ride a bike or get cooties. I’ll never learn to fly or travel the world with my best friend. And I won’t ever get married.’

Speaking directly to the camera, he finishes: ‘I couldn’t grow up. Because I died from an accident.’

UPDATE I: Nationwide defends Super Bowl ad about child deaths.

In a press statement, the Columbus, Ohio-based company defended its ad, stating its intent was to inform the public about the prevalence of preventable accidents.

“The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us — the safety and well-being of our children,” the statement said.

“We knew the ad would spur a variety of reactions. In fact, thousands of people visited MakeSafeHappen.com, a new website to help educate parents and caregivers with information and resources in an effort to make their homes safer and avoid a potential injury or death. Nationwide has been working with experts for more than 60 years to make homes safer.

“While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere.”

Nationwide Responds to Super Bowl Reaction

February 01, 2015

Columbus, Ohio – Preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths in America. Most people don’t know that. Nationwide ran an ad during the Super Bowl that started a fierce conversation. The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us—the safety and well being of our children. We knew the ad would spur a variety of reactions. In fact, thousands of people visited MakeSafeHappen.com, a new website to help educate parents and caregivers with information and resources in an effort to make their homes safer and avoid a potential injury or death. Nationwide has been working with experts for more than 60 years to make homes safer. While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere.