Tag Archives: advertisements

For Jezebel, Sexism In Advertising Is OK — As Long As They’re The Ones Running The Ads

Susannah BreslinMay 18, 2009 //

Historically, if that’s a word that can be used in relationship to blogging, Gawker Media ladyblog Jezebel has dedicated much its blog’s space to pointing out sexism in advertising — or what they deem “badvertising.” So, if the Jezebels are the self-proclaimed policewomen of what they perceive to be rampant advertising industry misogyny, what’s up with today’s ad campaign? Brought to you by the makers of Belvedere booze, the ads blanket the site from sidebar to marquee to mid-page. What’s the campaign’s theme? Masturbation! Or a liquor-and-sex-laden play on “maceration,” anyway. The copy: “maceration should never be rushed,” “maceration is all about technique,” “maceration is perfectly natural.” The ads feature a rotating red raspberry that’s decidedly clitoral paired with a throbbing “touch” message. The mid-page version features a woman — only her head is cut off, so you can’t see much of her but, well, her tits. The funny thing about Jezebel’s take on ads is that you can never quite tell what they’re going to declare misogynist. So far as I can tell, pretty much anything a) sexual and b) targeting women is TOTALLY MISOGYNIST and COMPLETELY SEXIST. Not quite sure how that works, but I guess it’s different when they’re taking the advertiser’s money. Then, bring on the decapitated women and rotating clitoris, by all means. After the jump, check out the decapitated lady paired with a post pointing to purportedly sexist marketing. Keep reading »

A White Castle Ad For Furry Lovers

Catherine StrawnMay 8, 2009 //

Fast food commercials continue to get raunchier and raunchier. Arby’s “me likey” commercial was kind of funny because it alluded to sex but didn’t actually involve any. The sex-talking Quizno’s oven was kind of creepy because it brought sex and fast food closer together. Now, White Castle’s Pulled Pork Sandwich grosses us out. Barbecue sauce all over a plushy costume? Someone’s going to have to explain what happened to the dry cleaner. Keep reading »

Awkward Erectile Dysfunction Commercials Might Disappear From TV

Catherine StrawnMay 7, 2009 //

Representative Jim Moran has a problem with erectile dysfunction. We’re not sure whether he suffers from ED, but he doesn’t like those TV ads for Viagra and Cialis. Last month, this Virginia democrat introduced a bill that would prohibit any ED ads from airing on broadcast radio and TV between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. because they’re “indecent.” Moran says he has had a number of people tell him they’re tired of having to explain to their young kids what erectile dysfunction is whenever one of the commercials comes on TV. One CNN.com reader commented that the ads don’t just make for uncomfortable conversations with children: “It is not only for the children and young people, but it is also embarrassing for mixed company adults. Not only is it embarrassing, those love scenes of planned sex have made me sick of sex.” Keep reading to watch a sampling of ED ads, then tell us whether they make you squirm. [CNN] Keep reading »

Get Happy With Coke Creatures

Susannah BreslinMay 7, 2009 //

It’s an ad, but that doesn’t make it any less appallingly adorable. Check out this awesomely happy-happy-joy-joy Coca-Cola summer ad that’s running in Europe. Starring a freaky dude on top of a hill who plays a magical organ, a cast of furry beasts who warble and dance charmingly when injected with arcing streams of soda, and a bunch of freaky, gyrating hippies running around like it’s the summer of ’68, and you’ve got advertising viral gold. They call them Coke Creatures. I call them beasts so cute I want to squeeze them until their heads pop off. Shot in New Zealand, the supercute spot features the happy tunes of Scottish singer-songwriter Calvin Harris. Keep reading »

We’re Overdosing On Audrey Tautou And Chanel

Catherine StrawnMay 6, 2009 //

Not only is Audrey Tautou playing Coco Chanel in the new biopic “Coco Avant Chanel,” but she’s also the face of the Chanel No. 5 perfume. The luxury brand has released a short film commercial starring Audrey and directed by the man behind “Amélie,” Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film has a similar feeling to “Amélie,” with its saturated colors and subtle quirkiness, but it’s a little cheesy. Plus, isn’t it some kind of conflict of interest to have Audrey representing the brand and playing the fashion house’s matriarch in a film around the same time?

Chanel certainly does like to do movie tie-ins with its No. 5 ads. Before Audrey, Nicole Kidman was the face of the classic perfume. Her commercial for the infamous perfume bore a striking resemblance to the famous woman/poor man story line in “Moulin Rouge” and was directed by that film’s Baz Luhrmann. But the film had been out for a few years by the time the commercial aired, so it seemed like less of a conflict than Audrey’s. At least Audrey’s new Chanel No. 5 ad isn’t directed by the same person who did “Coco Avant Chanel.” Then, we’d really have issues. Keep reading »

Saturn Edits Commercial To Eliminate Gender Stereotyping

Catherine StrawnApril 27, 2009 //

Saturn debuted its “Total Confidence” campaign earlier this month, aiming to help automobile buyers make car payments if they lose their jobs. Yes, this is a great idea during this recession, but the ad missed the mark. In the original commercial, Saturn retailer Jim Smith talks about how losing your job and your car would be the worst ever, saying, “Honey, I’m home! Lost my job! Don’t have a car! What’s for dinner?” When we first saw the ad, we were a little offended by this line. Jim’s partner is responsible for making dinner? He just expects dinner to be ready for him when he gets home? Maybe the two take turns preparing the evening meal, and in this instance it was his night off — or maybe “honey” is a man — but we doubt it. Commercials should be advancing parity, not reinforcing visions of ’50s housewives setting a giant pot roast on the table as their husbands walked through the front door.

We weren’t the only ones who found the commercial dated. Now we’ve started seeing a tweaked version airing. Basically, it’s the same ad without the “What’s for dinner?” line. Thank goodness they wised up and changed it — we don’t want men assuming we can cook … because we can’t. Keep reading to watch the edited version of the ad. Keep reading »

Is This Fake Calvin Klein Bra Ad Sexist Or Just Clever?

Jessica WakemanApril 23, 2009 //

Is advertising that uses women’s sexuality always sexist? Feminsting.com blogger Samhita says this advertising student’s project is “sexist, voyeuristic and pervy.” It’s a fake Calvin Klein billboard featuring a woman wearing a white blouse. In the sunshine the white blouse looks normal, but when it rains the billboard morphs and reveals the model’s black bra underneath, like a real white blouse would if it were to get wet. Clever, huh?

We’re no Don Draper or Peggy Olson, but we think the two advertising students behind this project were really thinking outside the box with this idea. According to the duo, they hoped their idea would “give a life to Calvin Klein’s sexy feeling.” This billboard certainly accomplishes that goal. What do you think? Tell us in the comments. [Ads Of The World via Feministing] Keep reading »

Hansaplast Condoms Promise To Help Your Pleasure Last

Amelia McDonell-ParryApril 6, 2009 //

Hansaplast’s ads for their new long pleasure condoms crack me up and definitely get the message across — don’t screw outdoors with your dude strapped into one of these babies, because it will make for some very hard to explain tan lines. One more, after the jump… Keep reading »

The Most Hilarious Unauthorized Celebrity Endorsements

SimchaMarch 19, 2009 //

Image is everything when you’re a celeb (just ask Lindsay Lohan.) Endorsement deals are big money business, but some foreign companies don’t feel like they have to pay stars, even for an erectile dysfunction ad. Now, that’s just insult to injury! But the damage is done and hilarious, so here’s a round up of the funniest unauthorized celeb spokesmodeling from around the globe…

Keep reading »

Is This Ad Misogynist?

Susannah BreslinMarch 11, 2009 //

The Museo Tamayo in Mexico City has created some shock-advertising that has left some viewers scratching their heads and some suggesting misogyny. In the ad, a woman stands in what one can assume is the museum, her finger on her chin as if contemplating a work of art hanging on the wall in front of her. In response to whatever it is she sees, her heart is exploding out of her chest in the shape of a gory fist. Shocking? You bet. Misogynist. I’m not so sure. Jossip seems to think the violent image is woman-hating: “Because nothing says modern art like a bloody fist violently ripping out of a woman’s chest.” Copyranter, on the other hand, just thinks it’s obnoxious. So, what do you think? To find out, check out the full graphic image after the jump. Keep reading »

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