I can appreciate a great story or ad. The ballerina MistyCopeland’s story? It’s a great story. I think her message is great for young people and honestly
great for not-so-young people. Breaking down stereotypes, good stuff. Maybe I’m
an advertiser’s nightmare but I had to look up who the ad was for. I have a
great running turtleneck from Under Armour, my kids (boys- nobody thinks of
young boys in any of this, I guess “they’re boys” and their self image is fine”
..yeah) love their shirts. I also liked
the “run like a girl” spot. Again, forgot this was for Always (maker of “feminine products). Nobody is
pointing out the 6 year olds used in a panty liner commercial (weird). Yes,
“you throw like a girl” is insulting but the best revenge? Throw well.
I’m also not anti women being sexy, I’m not buying Pepsi
(obviously) but the Sophia Vergara commercials were fantastic. Seems 94 percentof women think, ”using women as sex symbols is harmful to the gender.” Really?
Can we not be sexy or funny or inspiring? Aren’t all sorts of images what we
want to see? I never bought into the brand of feminism that banned sex appeal. Now if we’re talking women presented like
whores? I object. I saw a Viagra commercial this weekend and couldn’t imagine
the woman not only pushing Viagra (eek) but rolling around in a bed using her “sexy
voice”. Blech.
Don’t get me wrong; I love good messaging whether it’s on a
blog post, Instagram, in a magazine or an ad. I just feel we’ve come to far to
be condescended to by advertising agencies. I picture (mostly male) execs in a room strategizing
“ooh say this the women will really go for it.” The Dove ads are fantastic but
if Dove wants me to buy their products they should work on their ingredients.
Have you heard of fem-vertising? Or seen the Copeland or
Like A Girl spots? Do you think it’s positive messaging? Good for women? Or condescending?
Interesting really! I'm against using women excessively and solely! but you made a gd point here !
ReplyDeleteI see this as an after-effect of the Lean In movement. As inspiring as the narrative change may be on the surface, the story remains overly simplistic. I agree with you Lauren: we deserve better!
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