Tag Archives: advertising

Can You Really Reverse Gender Stereotypes In Media?

Pretty ridiculous, hey?

A women’s studies class at the University of Saskatchewan made this provocative video which questions commonly perpetuated stereotypes about gender in media. Pointing out that women are often in a subjugated position — turned into objects themselves, along with whatever object they’re supposedly selling, placed in prone, sexually provocative poses — the video connects violent images in the media with their real-life consequences. From the beginning of advertising, there have been ads that have capitalized on female sexuality, gender stereotypes and violence against women. (Seriously, some of these ads would make even Pete Campbell blush.) While it’s tough to say just how much advertising is responsible, it’s pretty clear that violence against women is rampant and more women than ever are going to extreme lengths to pursue a “perfect” body. And even men are not immune — as the video notes, media images have been linked to a recent increase in depression among men, too. Keep reading »

Ford India Ads Show Kardashians & Other Women Bound, Gagged & Locked In Car Trunks

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ford india kardashian

Looking at pictures of women with cartoonishly large breasts, bound and gagged in the backseat of the trunk of a car, you might think you’re looking at bondage porn.

But no, you would be looking at someone’s idea of “advertising” for the Ford Motor Company. The tagline? “Leave Your Worries Behind.” Keep reading »

Japanese Women Wearing Advertisements On Their Thighs

Sexist Ads
Not all advertising campaigns are sexist and offensive. Read More »
thighvertising

It’s an advertising scheme Don Draper surely thought about but could never have voiced in the 1960s: paying young women to wear advertisements … on their thighs.

A Japanese marketing firm is paying women ages 18 and over $121 a day to wear temporary tattoo-like stickers carrying advertisements, Business Insider explains, in the space between the hem of a short shirt and a kneesock is called “zettai ryouiki” in Japanese. Thigh-vertising isn’t just about getting eyeballs on the street (although, that too): the young women who are hired for thigh-vertising must prove their popularity on social networks and post pictures of their advertised thighs online, posing in at least two locations. Keep reading »

Nope, Skinny Models & Famous Starlets Won’t Sell Your Widgets Any Faster

The Skinny Girl
Kate used to be known as the skinny girl. Read More »
Skinny And Rich
Women who weigh less make more money, says a study. Read More »
Kate "Thinspiration"
kate middleton photo
Kate Middleton is "thinspiration" on pro-anorexia web sites. Read More »

Women, we are difficult, fickle creatures. In our tabloids we body shame famous ladies, and in our magazines we gawk at every slim model body demonstrating the latest fashion trends. But when it comes to advertising? We don’t want skinny models or famous women. A new study from the Warwick Business School found that women are actually turned off by advertising featuring products set alongside models and celebrities.

That’s because, say researchers, skinny minnies and beautiful celebrities make us feel bad about ourselves.

Duh.  Keep reading »

This Cute Little Beaver Is Actually A Euphemism For Your Dirty Vagina

Lysol Is Not For Ladybits
It's for cleaning countertops, not vaginas. Read More »
Awkward Purchases
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Baby Wipes Drama
Should we all be wiping with baby wipes instead of toilet paper? Read More »
Playtex clean beaver ad

Well, that’s one way to sell intimate wipes.

Playtex is hawking these new genital wipes for “before and after” activities involving your genitalia, whatever those might be. We have no idea. But we do know the feminine hygiene industry has a long and sordid history of shaming women into buying products to “sanitize” and perfume our lady business (oh, capitalism!), despite the fact any gyno will tell you the delicate pH balance of your vagina is best left alone.

But, at the very least, we can appreciate that Playtex’s ad campaign includes one marketed towards dudes in need of a clean “pecker.”  Check it out after the jump. A dude’s sweaty junk is no picnic, either.  Keep reading »

Just Perfect: Dannon’s “Birth Control On The Bottom” Yogurt

Did Somebody Say Girlfriends?

Dannon’s Birth Control on the Bottom Yogurt makes it so you don’t to choose between the only two things that matter to you as a women according to TV. Mmm, crunchy! And it kills two birds with one spoonful — you’ll be regular in terms of your period and your butt period. Score! [via Yahoo!]

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Birth Control Idiocy
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Men Are Merry-Less in Sexist Christmas Ad

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Just Another Sexist Ad!

Add one more advertisement to the slew of commercials stereotyping men and women. Asda, a British supermarket, debuted a new ad for the Christmas holidays, featuring a mother running herself ragged, creating the perfect Christmas for her family. Because, you know, that’s what all women do. Keep reading »

Today’s Lady News: Douchey Ads For New York Knicks Removed

"Unfeminine" Athletes
Lolo Jones photo
Some old sexist dude is concerned lady athletes are not feminine. Read More »
Anti-Gay Slur
Escobar suspended for writing anti-gay slur on his face. Read More »
Condi Invited To Club
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Condi Rice was invited to join the all-male Augusta National Golf Club. Read More »
"Prostitute"
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16-year-old Saudia Arabian Olympian called "prostitute" for competing. Read More »
knicks sexist ad
  • Whoever does advertising for the New York Knicks must have thought this ad about bagging “sixes” and “sevens” was a 10, when it’s really a zero. People are people, not numbers ranking them on their attractiveness. I was going to call this ad “sexist,” but really, it’s more all-around douchey for either gender. [VIBE]
  • Moms now run New Hampshire. Here’s blogger Amanda Hess on why they shouldn’t talk about being moms. [Slate]
  • On white women who voted for Mitt Romney … [The New Yorker] Keep reading »

Swiffer Thinks Men Should Get A Damn T-Shirt For Cleaning

Gross Apartments
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Dudes, this is why ladies think your apartments are gross. Read More »
Sexist Axe Ad
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On Housework
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swiffer man up clean up

Yes, men cleaning. Who’d've thunk, right?!  Just a T-shirt, Swiffer? Not a Boy Scout badge? Or the Nobel Prize, perhaps?  I mean, men cleaning is obviously such a rare and uncommon practice that you think guys deserve a T-shirt bragging “Caution: Men Being Awesome” for wiping a Swiffer across the floor. (Which, as someone who also does not like to clean, I don’t think we can justifiably call “cleaning.”) It’s all part of the world’s dopiest Facebook contest called “Man Up, Clean Up” for men who are “clean, dirty, skilled or clueless” to go to Swiffer’s page and share stories of why it is “worth it” to help with household cleanups. More blowjobs? Not getting roaches? THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. And just think, when you win that T-shirt, you’ll have something to use as a rag. [BusinessWire]

Silly Women Need Soooo Much Help

Frisky Sexism
All of The Frisky's posts about sexism. Read More »
Is This Sexist?
sexist Vila Olimpica ad photo
Some say this ad is sexist and offensive, some say it's not. Read More »
Sexist Beer Marketing
Lady beer expert pens open letter letter to beer enthusiasts. Read More »
"Do You Have A Gut Problem!?"

Oh women, we have so many problems. We can’t keep it together, which is why advertisers helpfully offer us a slew of products to make taking care of ourselves and our children easier. Brit comedy show “That Mitchell And Webb Look” present an all-too-real spoof on the silly sexism in advertising. [YouTube]