Nationwide's advertising strategy appears to backfired in the classic banking pitfall of 'trying to be funny'.
Since the dawn of TV advertising, banks awash with cash, have always drempt of being popular, funny or interesting but they have never been able to pull it off - something which they refuse to remember.
The feeble 'Little Britain' adverts are just the latest in a longline of excruciating ads where apparently people want to know about 'fixed income' and '0.1% AER'.
One media expert commented - "This is a match made in hell. The average age of a saver is about 55 where as most 'Little Britain' fans are less than 11yrs old and are more likely to be saving sweets."
The Editor of Saga magazine went further - "The 'we are ladies' gag wasn't funny the first time round - we can't believe Nationwide went for it - what were they on? They've got lipstick and mostaches - so what? I find unblocking my sink more amusing. And another thing - why does the nice cashier wink at them? - the mind boggles. As for Vicki Pollard - I'd run a mile!"
