Five Sexist Trends the Advertising World Just Can't Shake

[RaVen Blackehart]

"This was a big year for women: The first serious female presidential candidate, the first predominately female state senate, the first female Top Chef. Yet the advertising world has not caught up to the advances of half our population and continues to use stereotypes and violence to prey on our most vile desires. Here are the worst of them--the trends that won't die despite our cultural outrage, and personal boredom.

BONDAGE - This year Remy Martin debuted it's "things are getting interesting" campaign that features a mediocre Website and a series of billboards/magazine spreads depicting women in degrading bondage positions. You may think, "hey this one shows two women, there aren't even men involved, how can it be sexist?" But most of the ads (not available online) have men between the two women in controlling positions. And even without that, these women are obviously putting on a show for an outsider, not having a passionate lesbian love affair for themselves. These types of ads gain traction in cultural periods of female advancement--capturing the fantasy of "putting us back where we belong.".....CONTINUED AT LINK.....

http://www.myproblemsarerealtome.com/2008/12/five-trends-advertising-world-cant-rid.html

[swivel]

I went to the site to log my complaints and ended up tugging one off instead.


Edit: I call bullshit on the entire enterprise now. The author of the story calls THIS (http://www.ltcconline.net/lukas/gender/violence/violence/pics/violence10.jpg)wifebeating, when the dude is clearly shadowboxing himself. Using bias to perpetuate distrust and hatred is worse than anything these advertisers are doing. Alex Leo is the fucking problem here, the ignorant cunt. Man... what I wouldn't do to her if I could get her in a room alone...

[swivel]

I'm not the only one who actually read the article and nosed the stench...

Anonymous commenter:


Yawn.

Let's see...

1. The Chanel Ad you link to isn't a wifebeater. There isn't even a woman in the ad. The shadow is male, ostensibly his own. You've heard the term "shadowboxing" before?

2. The LAMB ad. For a women's perfume. That runs in women's magazines. An ad most men have never seen, nor is it targeted towards them. Are you saying this pervasive sexism appeals to female consumers as well?

3. The whole cumshot idea in the first place. Just because a woman is being splashed with liquid doesn't make it a Freudian cumshot. You've heard of wet t-shirt contests? The idea that when cloth it wet, it clings to the body? Now, perhaps that in and of itself is sexist (to you) but it's far from a metaphor for ejaculate. Maybe if the liquid was only on her face, I could buy that argument. I dunno. Maybe the "Got Milk?" ad campaign is all about facials. I dunno.

And it doesn't even look like male ejaculation. Actually, the way the perfume is scattered in the photo it looks more like a female orgasm. Maybe Gwen Stefani is a squirter - lucky her. I think the implication is that LAMB perfume is so good it'll give you orgasms better than Gavin Rossdale.

Oh, and this whole thing is so... yawn. Jezebel should sue you for plagiarism.

[Nell]

Let's get this out there now: It's not edgy, it's ridiculous. This is a gang rape, and any woman that sees those shoes instead of that message deserves those shoes.

I only saw the shoes. This woman is retarded. Really, go read the comments, they are frickin priceless.

[Ruby]

I only saw the shoes. This woman is retarded. Really, go read the comments, they are frickin priceless.

Well, in that particular ad (Dolce & Gabbana), I see rape, not shoes. And believe me, I *really* like shoes. The rest of the ads? Meh. She sure is hiking some well-trod paths...

[sanityslipping]

I don't really see rape in the shoe ad, but I don't see shoes either. I see a gang bang, about to happen. She's pointing her pelvis towards him, which according to cosmo and maxim, is a sign of sexual interest.

[penelopejo]

I only saw the shoes. This woman is retarded. Really, go read the comments, they are frickin priceless.

I see a hot guy....actually 2 hot guys bodies.....and maybe that chick on the ground but the guys stand out to me the most. but maybe that's just me.

the cum shot thing, come on....seriously, i see perfume being sprayed onto Gwen, not cum....but to each their own, i guess.

[Dark Star]

I see art and beauty in photography and nothing more.

[Athena]

I can't stand broads like this, and it's great to know I'm not alone (for once).

Did anyone else relish the irony of her blog title? "My Problems Are Real To Me"... LMFAO. Ya don't say. I hope that was purposeful.

[Pete Bondurant]

What about commercials that constantly portray white men as being complete buffoons?

[Athena]

What about commercials that constantly portray white men as being complete buffoons?

That's just it - Advertising relies on stereotypes and gimmicks. Women are sexual objects, men are idiots, minorities use slang no matter what the environment, talking bees are always Hispanic... the list goes on.

[Castille]

talking bees are always Hispanic...


Well obviously! I mean, they're migrant farm labor - what should they be, vietnamese? ;) Actually I can't think of any hispanic talking bees in advertising. They really need to give that damn Honeynut Cheeerios bee an accent. Then they can pretend to be multi-cultural too.

[DarkPrincess]

Those guys were hot. I don't remember anything else.

[Athena]

Well obviously! I mean, they're migrant farm labor - what should they be, vietnamese? ;) Actually I can't think of any hispanic talking bees in advertising. They really need to give that damn Honeynut Cheeerios bee an accent. Then they can pretend to be multi-cultural too.

The bee on the Simpsons is Hispanic, as is the Claritin bee... There have been more, though, I just can't recall the companies off the top of my head. It's been a running joke between my boyfriend and I for years, now. :P

[Morticia]

As a "hispanic" I could not give a shit if the Honey Nut Cheerio Bee has a spanish accent,

The one bee for nasal decongestant has a spanish accent, I could care less,

what about the phone ad with the puppets??? They have that Ghetto Spanish look ....and an accent!

Can I get an Amen for the "Taco Bell" chihuahua !!!!

We have to laugh at this people!! We are so sensitive. Is our ego so fragile that this offends us????

Let them all eat Tacos!

:cheers: