I take 3 Schoolgirls in the morning to a catholic school and pick them up after.
I stop at shell for gas as prescribed by The Audi Forum and when I pump the gas the girls look at the pump and giggle. First time I did not pay attention, but the second time it was the same thing looking at the pump and giggling. When I asked what is the matter they all answered "NOTHING!"

So I look at the shell's ad and what do I see ?
2 Valves one shorter one longer both up. There is some "protection" on the longer one and to the right the word "protect" and a drop of some liquid on the bottom right in the letter "O" in the word "NITROGEN". Magnify the top of the larger valve and it becomes obvious. It would not catch my attention but it does talk to the girls and they definitely like it.

I did some research on the marketing matter and this is what I found (the one on the right). Can you see the hidden message?

The last two pictures depict my concern. Now you see it and you will always see it from now on.

I am uneasy about their ads as a parent.

Is Shell using subliminal messages in their ads?

 

wow...never saw it that way...I only pump at shell because I don't know any other gas station that doesn't have ethenol in the 91 octane grade...but now that you pointed it out...its kinda funny...i'll make sure my daughter is never in the car with me when i pump gas lol

 

Adam, you need a hobby.

 

I see the word "***" in the 2nd and 3rd pictures, but I fail to see how that has anything to do with the Shell sign.

You said to zoom in on the second valve. I did this and I don't see anything abnormal.

What exactly are you talking about?

 

I think he means that the Shell-treated valve is bigger than the other (as William Wallace says: some men are bigger than others); and, I think he's seeing some other stuff that may be a bit too graphic for this forum

 

Exactly. This is very well designed not for you to see since you are a man. I think Shell is trying to boost their sales after the duck disaster.

 

I think you have way too much time on your hands. I highly doubt that your little school girls are thinking that no more than they are for pencils and pens.

I would have to think this is a case of you looking for something that simply isn't there.

Young girls giggle about everything. Don't try to pretend to know or understand what they are giggling about. You never will. There could be countless reasons why they giggle when you begin to pump gas. Unless they tell you, you will never know.

Making things up certainly won't help you understand. Maybe it's because the fumes from the gas are making them high. Perhaps you should never use gasoline to power your car, just in case.

I heard ketchup is a viable alternative.

 

I do not mind Shell doing subliminal advertising. It does not affect my shopping there.
Nitrogen Oxide is a laughing gas and an afro as well, so you could be right.
I am an accountant but in charge of marketing now as a new duty so maybe I am oversensitive now. I certainly have lots of time. Our graphics designer gave me some choices for marketing in terms of pictures and it was him that explained to me the subliminal power in marketing. In terms of the company advertising I am going with subliminal images. Just want to see if it works or ether it scares female customers.

 

You're reading too much into it.

 

this story started out AWESOME...then turned into an epic failure