Anyone who knows me well knows that there are certain commercials or print ads that just rub me the wrong way. Same holds true for Agincourt. Put us together and at times we are brutal towards the world of advertising. For example, I honestly refuse to set foot into a Hardee's thanks to blatantly sexist TV commercials. Or just once, I want there to be a feminie hygine product sponsor during a male athletic event (NASCAR would be the best and obvious choice) just to even things up.
Still, there are the fleeting occasions where I see a commercial that is clearly marketed to women that actually makes me smile. Of all things, the print ad for a brand of vodka in Russia is rather sexy. If I liked vodka straight up, I might even consider this brand next time I swing through Moscow.
Still, there are the fleeting occasions where I see a commercial that is clearly marketed to women that actually makes me smile. Of all things, the print ad for a brand of vodka in Russia is rather sexy. If I liked vodka straight up, I might even consider this brand next time I swing through Moscow.
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9 comments:
Your post made me pause to think of any ads that I like, and I have to confess I'm drawing a blank. I guess it is rare that women get anything marketed to us other than cleaning products...
What did Hardees ads do!? (I never watch T.V. anymore, and I feel bad because I ate at a Hardees recently!)
And the vodka ad kind of rubbed me the wrong way because I associated it with Marilyn Monroe, and that, I associated with her "downfall" and death. And I hate the way American media sometimes glamorizes the downfall of public women. But I was probably reading too much into things.
Yeah, Maus will have to find the Hardees ads for us - 'cause I don't have cable. But, I do think that there is a case to be made for the vodka ad using female sexuality to sell to women. I'm not sure that's all that wrong, if it is balanced with other appeals to our, say, intellect and humor.
I'll try to track down a video of the more objectionable Hardee's commercials...it so hard for me to pick just one.
Amelia, that is an interesting take on the vodka ad and totally not one that popped to mind. Reading too much into things or not, that is a valid point.
Ah...youtube...the source for all things video. Here is the link to the Hardee's commercial that led to my complete boycott. There are others that I find objectionable as well, but this one did it for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprOhgRIcqY
Yeah, that just... ugh. And add Burger King to the list of restaurants that don't want your business (though, they do want to film your business) - the B.K. Paris Hilton commercial that runs after the Hardies one is grotesque. Is it just me, or does mixing sex and burger patties seem like a marketing strategy that would appeal only to George Costanza?
Sigh...and I like the BK Whopper.
You got me as to why marketing execs would think burgers and sex, but if you look at some of the comments on youtube about the ads there are people out there (I will refrain from saying men...maybe there are some women out there who think they are brilliant) who really find them to be a marketing marvel.
What about the blatantly sexist (and dangerous) Progressive Car Insurance commercial that shows a male down on the street while a female (presumably his girlfriend or spouse) throws some of his possessions, including a TV set, out a third floor window onto his car below, completely flattening its roof in the process? Does this not glorify domestic violence and condone jealous, irrational and violenyt behaviour? Please tell me you have seen this commercia and object to it. I was disgusted that it was ever allowed to be aired.
Excellent comment.
I have indeed seen that commercial and I must say I did not have quite the same objections to it as you. I found that I was more insulted at the negative portrayal of the friend simply watching all the events transpire.
I'm not sure I come away from it with the feeling that it glorifies domestic violence, but in considering it again I do see how provides a very negative portrayal of women as hysterical, jealous tyrants.
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