New Verizon ad takes aim right at AT&T and the iPhone

posted by Alan F. / Nov 08, 2009, 10:34 PM

New Verizon ad takes aim right at AT&T and the iPhone

The Island of Misfit Toys has a new inhabitant in a brand new knee slapping Verizon Wireless ad. The Island's new citizen is none other than the iPhone. "What are you doing here?", asks one toy, "You can download apps and browse the web." The iPhone then shows off the infamous blue AT&T 3G coverage map used by Verizon in other ads. "You're gonna fit in here," says another misfit toy. Obviously, Verizon feels that they have the ammunition to go after Apple's touchphone with the Motorola DROID. Funilly enough, the DROID is not even mentioned in the ad which ends with a quick pitch for the HTC Imagio and DROID Eris. Two other seasonal ads include a Blue Christmas theme based on the blue AT&T coverage map, and a quick spot using Elves who are determining who is naughty (AT&T customers) or nice (Verizon customers). With these spots, Verizon is taking a strong push at the iPhone and AT&T, yet using a tongue-in-cheek brand of humor that has kept eyes on the t.v. screen during the commercials which is all a company can ask for. Let's see how AT&T responds.

Apple iPhone 3GS Specifications | Review
HTC Imagio Specifications | Review
HTC DROID ERIS Specifications

source: BGR

FEATURED VIDEO

Options

47 Comments

1. uln4321

Posts: 4; Member since: Oct 04, 2009

these ads are great! in the top one they are probably not using the real iphone because they dont want to be sued by at&t again! very clever!

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:44 AM 0

20. Fanboys Suck

Posts: 609; Member since: Dec 12, 2008

See how AT&T Responds??? Ha! Another ridiculous Lawsuit, that's how.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 11:55 AM 0

31. JeffdaBeat unregistered

You know, at first I thought the commercials were pretty hilarious (and I still do) and thought the lawsuit AT&T set up was kind of stupid. Then new customer started coming in referencing the ad thinking they wouldn't have any service what so ever if they were outside of the 3G network. With the iPhone having "3G" in its name, they thought it was the only network it ran on. Now I see why AT&T is filing suit. True, AT&T needs to expand it's 3G network, but the ads are misleading as well...

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 4:43 PM 0

37. awesomeanthony

Posts: 51; Member since: Dec 24, 2008

Who cares... People are dumb, they can just switch and be happy

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 10:35 PM 0

38. awesomeanthony

Posts: 51; Member since: Dec 24, 2008

Besides, the whole point is to bring in customers... if this works than Verizon is doing their job. It's a dod-eat-dog world out there. Get on the boat or wait at the dock for the ship that won't come back. Stop being so soft.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 10:37 PM 0

2. DroidDaddy

Posts: 3; Member since: Nov 03, 2009

Verizon is really going in w/this, wow...NICE.

posted on Nov 08, 2009, 10:51 PM 0

3. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

I thought that Verizon said a few months ago that not having the iphone didn't affect their company at all. But we can all see that Verizon knows that iPhone sales will go through the roof during the holidays. There's been like six commericials at least that attacks the iPhone. I think Verizon is a little more worried than they try to make everyone think. But anyways, I think the first commericial is the funniest, but the second is a little bit more effective (but why did he keep shaking his phone?). The third one is just whatever.

posted on Nov 08, 2009, 11:02 PM 0

13. biggles

Posts: 269; Member since: Oct 15, 2009

If you're paying attention, they're attacking AT&T, not Apple and the iphone. What every commercial has in common is the lacking AT&T 3G map.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 5:19 AM 0

18. jskrenes

Posts: 209; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

Also bear in mind that UNTIL the iPhone comes to Verizon, it's business as usual.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 8:47 AM 0

23. JackFace

Posts: 190; Member since: Nov 03, 2009

I would agree for the most part... but remember look at it this way too, the commercial is referring to the iPhone as just a toy. Or, I am just reading too far into it. Regardless, still funny as hell.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 12:44 PM 0

35. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

Yeah I guess you're right. Apple's iPhone is not being attacked at all. I guess it was just a coincidence that the iPhone was CLEARLY in every single one of those commercials, and that "there's a map for that" has nothing to do with "there's an app for that," and that some of the phones in some of those commercials were also iPhones. And let's not forget about the iDon't commercials. Yeah it was made by Motorola but they're not the ones who put the Verizon logo of approval on it. But I'm glad that I know now that apple was in those commercials just to make the ad look prettier.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 9:43 PM 0

4. jamess661

Posts: 44; Member since: Sep 12, 2009

Whats funny other then these lick adds is the fact that at&t and apple are so silent my god man say something hell i dont even live verizon but these adds are classic keep up the good work verizon you guys treating at&t and apple like a 14 year kid having to meet the school bully at the playground at lunch time i mean bitch slapping them wow

posted on Nov 08, 2009, 11:09 PM 0

10. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

There's really nothing AT&T can say in response. Verizon is not lying and AT&T has nothing to throw back. As for Apple, I don't see why they're caught up in this fight at all. Although Verizon is talking about AT&T's bad 3G network in general, it seems like they are aiming their blows at Apple mostly.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 1:55 AM 0

26. neutrality

Posts: 22; Member since: Apr 28, 2009

I think the only thing ATT has going for it is the iPhone, it's their signature phone, they advertise the sh!t out of it, and its only natural to use the phone to represent the network in competing commercials. Verizon, IMHO has nothing against Apple or the iPhone in these commercials -- in the Droid commercial, yeah, but it is advertising .. in these commercial the slamming is mostly done at ATT

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 2:11 PM 0

5. Greyhunter6

Posts: 11; Member since: Nov 06, 2009

These ads really aren't aimed at the iPhone. The first one even comments on how good the phone itself is but completely bashes AT&T's 3g service. They are just using the iPhone because everyone associates the iPhone with AT&T.

posted on Nov 08, 2009, 11:16 PM 0

6. jamess661

Posts: 44; Member since: Sep 12, 2009

yeah but the add are negative all together just having an iphone look alike make people that never owned it think it would suck apple needs to make there own add

posted on Nov 08, 2009, 11:19 PM 0

7. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

I agree. Its mostly aimed at AT&T. But Verizon is still telling all future phone buyers not to buy the iphone BECAUSE of AT&T. So its still aimed at the iphone though.

posted on Nov 08, 2009, 11:21 PM 0

8. jamess661

Posts: 44; Member since: Sep 12, 2009

thats just got to hurt there are some people out there that are not tech savy and seening these adds could sway them most of the people know know about the networks and phone but these add got to hurt and at&t shows it by suing they got to fight back

posted on Nov 08, 2009, 11:31 PM 0

22. Mayday3420

Posts: 61; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

What does att have to sue about? these ads aren't lies.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 12:06 PM 0

28. The Spartan

Posts: 98; Member since: Jan 27, 2009

They have to fight back by filing a lawsuit? WTF is that dude? Is that how YOU solve problems, by blindly firing off a lawsuit? Do you not realize the image issues AT&T will soon be having with that lawsuit in tow. They have to prove the claim that their customers are so DUMB that they would misconstrue 2g voice with 3g data, which I would call insulting if I were an AT&T customer. And it's great considering in previous ads AT&T themselves have preyed upon the idea of "we have 3g, you don't, ha ha ha" now it's being fired right back at them. A bitch slap for a bitch. Oh, and in case you don't realize, VZW is ready to meet them in court, so it'll be great when AT&T loses the case. What? You didn't think the massive legal department that VZW has didn't check every nook and cranny of those commercials before airing them? They knew AT&T would act like this and they're ready for them. The new commercials are saying "Bring it on" because they're right: AT&T network sucks, we have hard proof and oh btw, good luck suing us. You won't win, kthxbai."

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 3:07 PM 0

29. Fanboys Suck

Posts: 609; Member since: Dec 12, 2008

A lot of people try and solve problems by lawsuits. It's the American way! There is something possibly good that could come from this if AT&T Wins: Maybe they will use the money they take from Verizon and improve their network?? Doubt it.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 3:34 PM 0

9. allboutverizon

Posts: 66; Member since: May 20, 2009

Amazing..... lol.... I loved it.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 12:13 AM 0

11. DOGIEFRESH

Posts: 316; Member since: Jul 15, 2009

Even with all those negative adds specially this xmas people will buy more iphones than ever VZW knows it......and the 3GS price 100 bucks a no brainer....!!!

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 3:25 AM 0

19. jskrenes

Posts: 209; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

Having the iPhone on ATT is equivalent to driving a Ferrari down a gravel road. It's cool at first, but eventually you realize you can't go as fast as you're meant to. I'm not saying Verizon is a no-brainer, just that it's worth thinking about what you REALLY want and need, not just being a VZW/ATT/iPhone fanboy.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 8:49 AM 0

21. DOGIEFRESH

Posts: 316; Member since: Jul 15, 2009

Hey am very satisfy with my Iphone and AT&T the problem is for people like you the fanboys who think no any handset will do great if is not on VZW, I see tough days ahead for the big red cuz the Iphone is no coming anytime soon for them and users still switch for the Iphone.

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 12:05 PM 0

30. YouLostTheGame

Posts: 441; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

If by anytime soon you mean before next july, then yes. But mark my words, once the exclusivity has ended, there will be a VZW iPhone out. My guess is that by this time next year there will be a VZW iPhone/Apple product on VZWs network. To think anything different is insane. There are more than enough reasons to support such a claim as well. Just think logically, from a business point of view, instead of some fanboy. Like it or not, your precious little iPhone will go to other carriers here in the states, and logically, it will be VZW. Yes, T-Mobile also has a GSM network, but as far as being able to support the iPhone, they are in the same boat as ATT. Poor 3G coverage; and if ATTs "vast" network can't handle the "strain", how is T-Mobile?

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 3:48 PM 0

34. DOGIEFRESH

Posts: 316; Member since: Jul 15, 2009

VZW could have signal underwater and they still not getting the iphone.....could be very obvious: lot of potential customers or insane cash but they won't period.....until LTE is fully deployed and the network is a standart VZW wont get the iphone.....if it that was the case the big red for sure have at this time an iphone now.......just to give u an example Bell and Telus remade an entire network to make a deal with Apple......conclusion Iphone on CDMA = Dream or wet dream fanboy....!!

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 9:37 PM 0

39. knightwalker

Posts: 3; Member since: Oct 15, 2009

You are the flaming fan boy DOGIE. Please learn how to type on ur IPHONE or learn how to type proper english. LTE will be rolling out 1st quarter, and btw the CEO of ATT already stated that there exclusitivity will end next year. Verizon Wireless will get some sort of apple device, and it will be faster. The maps showin in these commercials are not made by VZW or ATT, they are researched and produced by 3rd party companys that track the cell carriers. I had an IPHONE..GREAT DEVICE..BAD NETWORK/CUSTOMER SERVICE its just the truth. I know for an ATT fanboy like yourself thats not as easy to swallow as steve jobs load..but suck it up. Why dont you tell ATT to put some of the $$ youre are paying them into there crappy network? Why dont you tell them to grow a pair and make a commercial?? Well guess what they wont put the $$ in there network, atleast not unitl the IPHONE is gone because they dont need to because of suckers like you paying for a device they cant even utilize to its full potential...they are a joke!

posted on Nov 09, 2009, 11:39 PM 0

40. DOGIEFRESH

Posts: 316; Member since: Jul 15, 2009

I think is hard to swallow for fanboys like you, am in Miami and always get 1.5 to 2.4mbs your crappy network can't do it faster. Don't hate AT&T for having the hottest cellphone in the US, but guess what We got the Iphone while u watch us playing with it...... And you have two options either switch or keep bitching like a little spoiled brat.......When it comes to a desperate redneck bitch, there's a carriers for that: VZW...!!!

posted on Nov 10, 2009, 3:11 AM 0

45. YouLostTheGame

Posts: 441; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

It's more than obvious you're drunk with the blue ball kool-aid. And I'll believe those numbers when you actually post an informative comment that contains *gasp* logic and intellect. I can't wait to sweep your fanboy comments under the rug when VZW/Apple prove you wrong next year.

posted on Nov 10, 2009, 10:45 PM 0

view all comments