A Delusion of a Girlfriend
July 13th 2008 06:50
Creativity to one is uncreative to another. Funny for one is not funny for the other. Sex sells as they say, but does it have to come down to a ditzy portrayal of women?
I get this ad (I think...). It paints the illusion of what a manly man wants – sports, hanging-out with his buddies, boozing, going to the pub, and then going home to his girl.
I don’t get why it has to typify women/a woman from an archaic viewpoint or create a subliminal message that, that’s what men want/wish for/hope(?). I feel it’s clearly sending the wrong message – fictional or not.
Some of my guy friends think it’s funny, and merely a tongue-in-cheek
Image courtesy of clarita.
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Mich
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
It's incredibly offensive to women, on the first level. But what bothers me are the after shocks:
1) She's supposed to be a 'perfect' girlfriend, because she approves of all these things, which suggests that most women don't approve of them. That's insulting to suggest that most women don't fit this mold.
2) Men are supposed to watch it and goggle at her impressive cleavage and great legs, then feel good about being chubby and hairy and wanting to go to the strip club. This knocks men as unable to set a high standard for themselves, and drinking themselves into hallucination with Jim Beam.
3) Last, and least significant, it's not funny, and I hate the idea that a lot of money went into paying some chowderhead to come up with this campaign.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Whether the target market buys the product will be another thing altogether - but having just checked the sales figures before and after the campaign was launched - it appears in all States that there are a lot of other Chowderheads who have been influenced.
At least we aren't subjected to that damned tongue walking around town any more trying to source beer before returning to it's masters head.
Now there's an ugly ad.
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
That's quite true isn't it, Cheryl. That's the kinda target market they're after, I guess...
Absolutely incredibly vile it is, RubySoho.
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Cibb, you're right -- there's sexy and there's sexy on the distasteful side. Your point #2 paints a scary thought.
In my state of annoyance I have (unfortunately) indirectly created more airtime for them, MNG. I did think about it when I was making my decision to post...but the need to rant overpowered me
Interesting re. the sales stats. It'll be interesting to see the age group that the sales fall into. Sad to think though that such an *old* brand is succumbing to such mindless campaigns -- the importance of brand values must not be priority...or have severely changed...
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Greed is good apparently - did this generation learn nothing from it's counterparts in the 80's - history unfortunately (in advertising at least) is repeating itself.
Only this time the CEO's of the company's who are saying yes to this mindless dribble are the same up and comers who sold their sole's 25 years ago for a quick buck.
Hmmmm
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Good point, katyzzz. No one is ever packaged the same
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
If anything it takes a playful poke at men, but I see no criticism of women in there..none at all.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I can laugh at just about any subject matter presented with a bit of flair and wit, but since there is nothing approaching ingenious about this, for me it fails to rise above being a coarse insult to both sexes and the intelligence of society. While I may object to such a portrayal of women - and to a degree, men - it's the base laziness of the humour that really makes it all the more annoying.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
But then again, it's not aimed at us so maybe that's why we don't 'get it'.
Was a it a Cougar ad that had that well endowed barmaid? Again, not clever but then again, not aimed at me.
Remember that Cleo ad where the sheet was over the man and it looked like he had an erection but was actually sticking up his married finger under the sheet? Well I thought that was funny and clever but men apparently found it offensive. I'm not quite sure why....maybe they don't have a sense of humour
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
I hate most commercials anyway...
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
D, I know you don't think the ad is brilliant and and pretty much because of its lack of brilliance you're not going to give it a second thought.
Should we keep seeing these ads?
Is there anyone out there that likes this ad? Does this ad appeal to anyone? We talk about the demographic etc but where are they when these discussions come up?
Hi Lara, don't mean to take over your post
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Thanks Mrs M for the different take on it.
You're not at all taking over the post. You've provided us -well, at least me- another perspective, so that's cool
It will be interesting to see the demographics behind the increases in sales -- MNG, you seem to be in the know...?
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
The ads here seem to going from bad to worse (to worst)! No, I don't think we should be *forced* to watch such ads. Yes, it is easy to change the channel but should we have to put up with it, after all we are paying cable (tv) fees...but oh, it's these corporates that *sponsor* the sporting and entertainment programs...
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
She is the perfect girlfriend because she is gorgeous, sexy, has great tits, speaks broken English (hence you don't have to worry about deep conversation) and has incredibly low standards. Will take whatever male would have her. As every woman should, and quit complaining unless she wants to end up a lonely old maid.
Then, along comes Jim Beam. Well you may not be able to have that perfect girl, but hey blokes you can have the perfect bourbon.
It is an insult to all women, everywhere and to any man with the slightest hint of intelligence and respect for the other 51% of the population.
When did feminism die? When did women decide it was okay to be treated this way again?
Comment by What's Your Story?
What's Your Story?
Big Day Plunge
I wonder if this sold any Jim Beams.
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
It is truly yuck, isn't it, Toni.
Comment by Classy better than Trashy
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by caricature
I thought the ad WAS targeted at obvious humour... but I wonder if this means that all those who buy the brand think the woman portrayed is really the ideal woman.. which speaks terribly for them.