Insurance company Hippo set tongues wagging on social media following the release of their new advert, with many saying it is a direct dig at insurer OUTsurance and Katlego Maboe.
In the advert a man, who is a Katlego lookalike, can be seen discussing ways to save on vehicle cover when he and a female driver are interrupted by a hippo showing them a better quote.
The woman confronts the man and says she could save more money with Hippo, and then proceeds to say “out”.
“Wait, I can find better? R300 better than your quote and you gave me a huge excess and you just had one quote. Out,” says the woman.
“Every car insurer says they can save you money, but that doesn't mean they have the best price or the right cover for you. How do you know if you’re getting the best deal unless you compare?” says Hippo.
Every car insurer says they can save you money, but that doesn't mean they have the best price or the right cover for you. How do you know if you’re getting the best deal unless you compare? You can find better with 11 top insurers giving you their best quotes on Hippo. pic.twitter.com/EH7oX6TQb2
— Hippo.co.za (@Hippo_co_za) August 15, 2022
While some social media users found the advert funny, others said it was a “blatant exploitation of Katlego's personal pain”.
They called for the advert to be boycotted and reported to the the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA).
Here are some reactions from tweeps:
Am I the only 1 who finds the blatant exploitation of a man's personal pain depicted within the "Hippo" Advert disturbing? When as country did we get here… Or have we grown so accustomed to self loathing that we find the fall/ demise of another to be entertainment? #BCCSA
— Edmond Dano (@EdmondDano) August 29, 2022
Is the new hippo car insurance ad making fun of Katlego Maboe? The set up looks just like his outdistance ad and the female driver says “and you gave me excess, f*cking excess” and then kicks a smiling suited insurance man out of the car. Omg
— big pants, little top, blazer, blue beanie (@JabriellaM) August 25, 2022
Kwaaaaks I love this @Hippo_co_za … Well done to the agency for such a dope ad! @OUTsurance let's hope your agency can pull off a masterpiece instead of your bland infomercial-esque ads. Changa daai Ding Maan! https://t.co/JNa9HmQbHc
— Thato Tholo (@thatotholo) August 19, 2022
Kwaaaaks I love this @Hippo_co_za … Well done to the agency for such a dope ad! @OUTsurance let's hope your agency can pull off a masterpiece instead of your bland infomercial-esque ads. Changa daai Ding Maan! https://t.co/JNa9HmQbHc
— Thato Tholo (@thatotholo) August 19, 2022