Have you ever been offended by advertising?

[JarethDrakul]

and i don't think that any commercials have offended me before. except when they enforce gender roles like a woman making dinner for her husband or something. that bothers me a lot sometimes.

I can't remember what it was for or when it was made but they made it where the "gender roles" were switched and loads of people actually complained about it....I just thought it was amusing.

I'm rarely offended by adverts (ones that are suggestive and all that don't bother me....but then I don't see why anyone finds that stuff offensive as its natural, but personal opinion). Though Lynx/Axe adverts are ridiculous I have to say....but then I guess some men need that reassurance that these things will get them something

However I have taken offense to some of PETA's advertisements, for example (don't click the links if you don't like this stuff, also there's no real pictures of animal cruelty in either!!):
1)The ones where it says "YOur Mommy Murders Animals" and "Your Daddy Kills Animals", I thought that was really disgusting to do....thats just a really horrid thing to show for a child
(http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/peta.jpg)
2)The one refering to being fat...esp. as its a touchy subject for me and it really disgusted me (and I know alot of other people) when PETA did these advertisements.
(http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/step-by-step/files/2009/08/whale_billboard.jpg)
I'm vegetarian and I support animal rights, but PETA always seems to take it a step to far which really annoys me as they release quite a few offensive advertisements.

 

[marypops!]

I can't think of any adverts that have offended me at the moment. scared me maybe. Disturbed me for sure. None that have offended me though.

I do feel this is a good thread to post this advert though, parodying the Lynx/Axe adverts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x89xAXHd2l8

 

[Sparx]

I can't remember what it was for or when it was made but they made it where the "gender roles" were switched and loads of people actually complained about it....I just thought it was amusing.

I'm rarely offended by adverts (ones that are suggestive and all that don't bother me....but then I don't see why anyone finds that stuff offensive as its natural, but personal opinion). Though Lynx/Axe adverts are ridiculous I have to say....but then I guess some men need that reassurance that these things will get them something

However I have taken offense to some of PETA's advertisements, for example (don't click the links if you don't like this stuff, also there's no real pictures of animal cruelty in either!!):
1)The ones where it says "YOur Mommy Murders Animals" and "Your Daddy Kills Animals", I thought that was really disgusting to do....thats just a really horrid thing to show for a child
(http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/peta.jpg)
2)The one refering to being fat...esp. as its a touchy subject for me and it really disgusted me (and I know alot of other people) when PETA did these advertisements.
(http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/step-by-step/files/2009/08/whale_billboard.jpg)
I'm vegetarian and I support animal rights, but PETA always seems to take it a step to far which really annoys me as they release quite a few offensive advertisements.

I have serious issues with peta pushing their political agenda on children, with their cartoony stickers.

 

[aquarhapsody]

I can't remember what it was for or when it was made but they made it where the "gender roles" were switched and loads of people actually complained about it....I just thought it was amusing.

I'm rarely offended by adverts (ones that are suggestive and all that don't bother me....but then I don't see why anyone finds that stuff offensive as its natural, but personal opinion). Though Lynx/Axe adverts are ridiculous I have to say....but then I guess some men need that reassurance that these things will get them something

However I have taken offense to some of PETA's advertisements, for example (don't click the links if you don't like this stuff, also there's no real pictures of animal cruelty in either!!):
1)The ones where it says "YOur Mommy Murders Animals" and "Your Daddy Kills Animals", I thought that was really disgusting to do....thats just a really horrid thing to show for a child
(http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/peta.jpg)
2)The one refering to being fat...esp. as its a touchy subject for me and it really disgusted me (and I know alot of other people) when PETA did these advertisements.
(http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/step-by-step/files/2009/08/whale_billboard.jpg)
I'm vegetarian and I support animal rights, but PETA always seems to take it a step to far which really annoys me as they release quite a few offensive advertisements.

PETA takes it waay too far with some of their advertising. If I was 5, and saw the "Mommy/Daddy kills" ones, I would've gotten sick to my stomach.

I know they're supposed to be gross, but honestly? It's like they don't even think how disgusting that is.

I have nothing against being a vegetarian, but ads like those wouldn't make me one.

 

[Mrs. Chamberlain]

I have serious issues with peta pushing their political agenda on children, with their cartoony stickers.

I went to a concert recently and PETA was pushing their stuff there. They handed out stickers too. This is one of the stickers. It really bugged me.

 

[AbsoluteAwesome1]

I'm a vegetarian. I think it's a great idea--environmentally and morally.

However, I think PETA is stark raving mad. Their advertisements are almost comparable to the propaganda put out during Hitler's regime in Germany or Stalin's in Russia. I mean--not on the same level. But their methods are the same and that's just... NOT good.

 

[JarethDrakul]

Peta do indeed go over the top, which annoys me because mentioning your vegetarian everyone thinks you support peta aswell (which I don't...though I support other organisations, who are less distrubing in their take)...and I know many ohter people who are ashamed that their beliefs are put together with PETA (its amazing how many animal rights people I've met who are against peta aswell haha).

You mentioning hitler reminded me they did a think that compared the process of killing animals as the same as the holocaust....I once remember seeing that but I don't know where and it reallt was disturbing. Also one saying "To Animals, All humans are nazi's" with images of WWII

I think they do realise how gross it is, as I remember in one of my things for psychology were learning about something using shock tactics to make people take note in a point (can't remember the exact anme of it sadly) and it was exactly what PETA was doing with their advertisements.

 

[Sparx]

I went to a concert recently and PETA was pushing their stuff there. They handed out stickers too. This is one of the stickers. It really bugged me.

The anti seal hunt really bugs me. That seal hunt is important, regulated, and a cultural facet in the native culture and society.

 

[cindys_castle2011]

The only one I can think of for me is one about some seafood resturant.. I don't remember which one though. It says like (WEST COAST) and shows a blond, tan, skinny, obvious attractive girl. then it says (EAST COAST) and shows a brunnette, skinny, tab, again obviously attractive. The (SOUTH COAST) and shows a guy, beer belly, stains on his shirt and face.

I'm like really? Seriously? Everytime a show or commercial tries to portray(sp?) any southern person.. it's like dramatically redneck and trashy looking.

As for the Axe commercial, I have to admit.. The small of Axe takes my breath away.... xD

 

[Sparx]

I got a reply back from clearasil, and it was actually really positive and said I should be contacted by their head of advertising soon. I wonder if a lot of other people have complained about this ad too?

 

[cindys_castle2011]

I haven't been able to find the commercial online but the undertones are INCREDIBLY sexist. There are two beautiful girls who can't manage to understand two words, and are only worried about if this magic cream will make them more beautiful.

Another problem I have with it was that it was a science related word that these girls were too stupid to pronounce. Science and technological related fields are incredibly hard for women to break into in the united states, and when women do work in these fields they're only paid 70 cents on the dollar that their equally qualified male counterpart makes.

There is also a phenomena of girls in middle school who will enter (roughly) the seventh grade and make straight As in science and math and all of a sudden they stop producing these grades. They start claiming they're "bad at ____" and hate it. Fast forward two years, less than ten percent of female high school students are interested in science or math related fields. In college more than 90% of library science degrees are given to women, while less than 5% of engineering degrees are given to women.

Acne typically plagues those in middle/high school, and typically females are more concerned with their appearance than males, and to aim an ad like this at young girls who are about to (or going through) this social phenomena simply reinforces the idea that they have that women aren't good at math or science.

If the scientist was a woman, or if they didn't question the hyper pigmentation line, or if they didn't call him "mr science" I wouldn't have had any issues with this advertisement. But a company as massive as Clerasil knows what they're doing with an ad like this, and its not acceptable. I've emailed clearasil's parent corporation with my opinion over this ad, and I'm waiting to hear back from it. The last time I was involved with an advertising dispute, there was actually a rapid and positive reply from the company. I'm interested to see if the same will happen with Clearasil.

It's about 1am here so I only read a little of this because I'm half asleep.... but with the whole "hyper what?" thing. I don't think they're trying to make it seem like the girls are beautiful, so they must be dumb.. I know when someone is talking about says a big word like.... I'm just gonna use something random like *birthday*) if I don't know what it is and some one says birthday, Ill say birth what?!? It's not me being ditzy or dumb.. it's just I guess another way of saying "I don't know what birthday means, can you explain it to me" lol.

But then again, if I was making a commercial to sale my item.. I'd make sure my commercial is clear enough to where no one is thinking it could mean one thing or another.

Just a thought?

 

[Sparx]

It's about 1am here so I only read a little of this because I'm half asleep.... but with the whole "hyper what?" thing. I don't think they're trying to make it seem like the girls are beautiful, so they must be dumb.. I know when someone is talking about says a big word like.... I'm just gonna use something random like *birthday*) if I don't know what it is and some one says birthday, Ill say birth what?!? It's not me being ditzy or dumb.. it's just I guess another way of saying "I don't know what birthday means, can you explain it to me" lol.

But then again, if I was making a commercial to sale my item.. I'd make sure my commercial is clear enough to where no one is thinking it could mean one thing or another.

Just a thought?

I understand that they were using repetition to make people remember the word, but the entire attitude of the advertisement was incredibly sexist. The tone of voice and the body language of all the actors wasn't on the same level with what the words they were saying, does that make sense?

 

[dancer067]

This is why I don't listen to modern music anymore. I haven't listened to the radio in forever, because the music is just so horrible. It has no point, and it's all sexualized crap. Thank God for my iPod, or I'd go completely insane.

I know! I'm glad that someone thinks the same way, and that I'm not the only one

 

[dancer067]

I think the axe ads are ridiculous, but I've never really been that offended by them.
Pretty much everything about Abercrombie and Fitch offends me.
Hardee's ads from a couple years ago were really offensive.

I don't think that most music is offensive however. I remember being five or six and singing Mambo #5. I had no idea what it was talking about, I just liked the song. And I still like it now that I understand it. But I don't think kids getting caught on catchy songs is a bad thing. They don't understand the lyrics, and they don't take it that seriously. And for older kids (7+) it opens up a lot of talking experiences with the parents and children about why certain behavior is unacceptable. And music has always been suggestive in some aspects or another. Elvis wasn't allowed to be shown on television below the waist because he was so sexual.

I understand what you mean about the music, and that's a good point. I just find it a little offensive that people like Kesha are singing songs like Blah Blah Blah and little kids are singing along to stuff that risque. And the whole atmosphere of the music too. Its all computerized nonsese. They don't even seem like they have heart in it. That's just what they portray to me personally. And I think half of it is just that I don't like it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

(and p.s. I also loooved mambo #5 as a kid )

 

[Skelington Spade]

You know, I can't really remember being offended by any advertisements...but I have wondered why they never show any men eating yogurt? I mean it's not really sexist, but it's weird! that's half of the American demographic they're not marketing to. I bet a lot of male humans see it and think "That's not manly!" or something like that.

 

[pandapants77]

I live in the US and Lynx is called Axe here but they use the same ads, and their still very offensive here, the real smell of the stuff is a chick repelent XP .
I also find skittels ads to be creepy, thought the candy is good...

EVERY THING I TOUCH IS MADE OUT OF SKITTELS yes this is very creepy

 

[airplanegod]

The only ads I like are airline, or airplane ads. Actually, I also like car, and computer ads.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

This is why I don't listen to modern music anymore. I haven't listened to the radio in forever, because the music is just so horrible. It has no point, and it's all sexualized crap. Thank God for my iPod, or I'd go completely insane.

Same here. I don't see how all those itunes top 10 songs even got on there... ugh. The only reason I like certain songs is because of the lyrics mostly, of course the singing has to sound good too.

 

[ajkoos]

What's a little curious to me is how offended the American public gets over anything sexual, but generally expresses little concern over content that is violent. It's like morality is so Puritanically oriented that it's primarily about sex. What about crass materialism, war-mongering, conspicuous consumption, gluttony (obesity), idol and celebrity worship, etc...The list goes on and on of the immoral and offensive things that are distinctly aspects of western culture, but what always gets the biggest "rise" out of people - sex. At least sex is a natural facet of human existence, and not like all the other aforementioned things which are not and which are equally repulsive...

 

[LittleMissMusical]

EVERY THING I TOUCH IS MADE OUT OF SKITTELS yes this is very creepy

what about the japanese-scottish one???? that one freaks me, like who comes up with the stuff?

The only ads I like are airline, or airplane ads. Actually, I also like car, and computer ads.

how about the ones in florida "i love appliances!"

oh and while watching tv the other night i saw a new clearisil commercial and there was indeed a girl scientist! when i saw it i was like "i need to post on the disboards!"