Have you heard of Fem-vertising? It’s related to advertising.

 Are there people who still watch the nightly news? Friday or Saturday, my son left the room and NBC news was on the TV. I wasn’t watching or not watching. I was on the computer when a segment on a new trend in advertising, called Fem-vertising was discussed. Fem-vertising has to do with pro female campaigns. Fem-vertising surveys have found that more than half of women buy products when they like how their ads present women. Interesting, while I love a good commercial I buy a product because I like the product.

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?

I don't believe in magic but I do believe in Dr Oz

 

Earlier this week Dr Oz appeared before the Senate’s committee on consumer protection. Senator Claire McCaskill took Oz to task for some of the weight loss products he has suggested on his show. Almost immediately following this there was a wave of Dr Oz bashing. People on my Facebook feed were declaring they “loved this senator” who grilled Dr Oz even though they probably knew as much (or little) about her as the  green coffee bean extract Dr Oz was under fire for.

Does Dr Oz use words like “miracle” and “magic”? He does. He has a television show. I would venture to say he’s not running into the operating room speaking this way. I'll never forget something from when I did my media training. I’m not a naturally hyper person but we did a take where I was about as animated as this Foodtrainer can get. I was smiling and enthusiastic (and as real as my hair color/ not so much). When I finished the person teaching me said, “Ok, now do it again but with much more energy” Dr Oz has that energy.

Before you say it’s not just Dr Oz’s passion it’s the topics on the show. Have you watched the show? The last three times I’ve been on we’ve talked about quinoa, label lies on cereal boxes and frozen food. Now if millions of people go out and purchase quinoa or have learned what a GMO ingredient is- why aren’t we talking about that? Isn’t that part of what’s been dubbed “the Dr Oz effect”?

As far as scientific rigor, I once learned an important lesson from Dr Oz that I think I’ve written about. I was interviewed for a GMA segment about a diet that was popular at the time. My office did some research, there were no sizable scientific studies and I went on air slamming the plan. Dr Oz was also interviewed and said something I’ll never forget. He said if people are getting results from something you have to take a closer look. Sometimes anecdotal evidence tells us things that studies have yet to “prove”. 

And I’m so happy the Senate has this committee to protect consumers. The same government that is outraged over raspberry ketones is fine with dangerous food dyes in children’s food, antibiotics in our meat and GMO foods side by side with “normal” ones. I wonder how MDs at the FDA or Senators with ties to Big Food would do under fire.

Please don’t say as a friend of mine did “it’s so sad Dr Oz was a brilliant surgeon”. He still is and he’s also a good man. And because I couldn’t resist, a little bit about Senator McCaskill’s “miracle” weight loss.

What do you think of the Dr Oz situation? Does he do more for good and health than evil? What do you think people love to bash?