Urge Hertz to Clean Up Their Ads

One Million Moms has received numerous complaints regarding an ad campaign from Hertz. The “New Car Fling” commercial features a family renting a new shiny car from a Hertz fleet. Unfortunately, it features the play-on-words slogan, “Have a fling with our newest fleet yet.”

Infidelity (or the implication of having an affair) is unnecessary in this or any advertisement. Yet, that is what Hertz intends and finds humorous.

Vacation fun ensues with laughter pouring out of the rented car as the family’s real car follows them, watches them having fun, and responds by sounding the alarm and flashing its headlights out of jealousy and anger. The song “Secret Lover” plays in the background as the commercial ends with the dad saying, “I will miss your new car smell,” as he sniffs the rental car.

The advertisement insinuates that driving a new car from Hertz might drive your real car crazy. Celebrity and NFL athlete Tom Brady makes a brief appearance and states, “Nice car. Looks new.”

Immediately, the viewer recognizes the implication: “Have a flame with our newest fleet yet.”

Other individuals likely find this ad offensive since there is nothing funny about cheating and betrayal. It is obvious that Hertz chose to include this profane insinuation and to end the ad with viewers completely understanding the intended implication.

This type of advertising is disgusting. Hertz has deliberately chosen to produce controversial advertisements instead of wholesome ones. One Million Moms finds this highly inappropriate.

Apparently, Hertz executives do not care about what children hear – despite how damaging and destructive such ads are to our children. Everyone knows kids repeat what they hear. This ad demonstrates weak marketing, and Hertz should have the corporate responsibility not to use an age-old euphemism that offends families.

Let them know that, as a parent and a consumer, you are disgusted by their irresponsible marketing choices.

Hertz needs to know that conservatives disapprove!

If you agree that this marketing campaign is inappropriate, please sign our petition urging Hertz to cancel their “New Car Fling” commercials immediately.

Show Comments

Please Note: We moderate all reader comments, usually within 24 hours of posting (longer on weekends). Please limit your comment to 300 words or less and ensure it addresses the content. Comments that contain a link (URL), an inordinate number of words in ALL CAPS, rude remarks directed at the author or other readers, or profanity/vulgarity will not be approved.