With shows like World’s Funniest Commercials and Funniest Commercials of the Year, it is easy to get a glimpse into what commercials are airing in other countries and how humor differs from country to country. One thing I have noticed about Dutch commercials is that they tend to be pretty creative and funny. Of course, what one person finds funny another doesn’t but in this two-part post, I will share with you, five commercials that have caught my attention and a little information about the companies behind them.

1. Centraal Beheer

Part of Achema, one of the largest insurance companies in the Netherlands, Centraal Beheer is an insurance company located in the city of Apeldoorn. The company is commonly referred to as ‘Apeldoorn’ and their catch-phrase “Even Apeldoorn Bellen” (Just Call Apeldoorn) features regularly in their commercials; commercials which traditionally feature something going terribly wrong, followed by the catch-phrase “Even Apeldoorn Bellen”.

The commercials are quite well known and there are many out there (check here for a few others). After the attempted attack on the royal family in Apeldoorn on Queen’s Day in 2009, the company highly debated continuing with the catch-phrase. However, in December 2009, the first new commercial featuring the slogan since the attempted attack was aired.

2. Ditzo

Ditzo is another insurance company, this time an online one, launched by Fortis. Dissatisfied with insurers and banks, Ditzo have branded themselves as a “well-behaved insurance without fine printed conditions, rules and unexpected disclaimers.” They have also brought out a number of entertaining commercials highlighting the aspects many people find irritating when dealing with insurers. In the commercial below, a policy holder attempts to get through to the insurance company outside of daytime hours and is told no one is there and that he will need to take his paperwork with him to work and call during the day.

Phrases in the commercial:

Ik vindt het gewoon lastig dat jullie ‘savonds niet bereikbaar zijn. (I just find it difficult that you are not reachable in the evenings.)

Overdag werkt ik en m’n administratie ligt gewoon thuis dan natuurlijk. (During the day I work and my administration/paperwork is of course at home.)

Meneer, mag ik uw polisnummer? (Sir, may I have your policy number?)

Sorry meneer, ik kan u zo echt niet verstaan hoor. (Sorry sir, I really can’t understand you.)

Altijd bereikbaar (Always reachable)

See you next week, for the second three!