system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Harshly criticizing your competitor by name would make for quality advertising.

Commercials are generally sanguine or annoying. How many times can we hear "I was born free!" Chevy commercials? Just once I'd like to see Chevy say "The F150 is a poor choice and here are some complaints from real Ford owners." Why is it so taboo for one business to pick on or pick apart their competitors by name?

* This kind of tactic is almost never used in TV/Radio campaigns. Why not?
* Is there a fear of backlash or starting a war they can't win?
* Sometimes danced around by saying 'the other guys' or 'brand x'
* We mostly hear about what's fun, new, delicious, improved, on sale, etc.
* Why is dissing exclusive to hiphop and political campaigns?
* I don't see this is as the "low-road", but a different tactic.
* What's wrong with a commercial for XYZ Widgets where people give reasons why "ABC and LMNOP's widgets really suck!" ?
* I'm sure someone can find a few good examples of this, but why should it be uncommon?
gpt
Negative advertising is pretty common, but it is mostly relegated to markets where there are only two options (like political campaigns).  Coke and Pepsi have gotten into negative advertising over the years as well (aka the Pepsi Challenge)

If Chevy makes a commercial about how crappy Ford is, they aren't necessarily convincing you to buy a Chevy.  You could take the message to heart, then buy a Dodge, or a Honda, or any other brand of car.  From Chevy's perspective it makes more sense to talk up a Chevy, rather than try to talk down on all the other possible choices.