If you want to market your product to one of the largest demographics (young males), all you have to do is amp up the masculinity in your advertising campaigns. Flo TV, the mobile television service, took this idea and ran with it. The commercial posted below is a prime example of the “manly man” angle that companies work to get men to purchase their goods and services.
This commercial debuted during this year’s Super Bowl, but I’ve recently picked up a Mobile TV and so I’ve been bombarded with it lately. It features a dude shopping with his girlfriend during an important sporting event, according to the announcer his “spine has been removed”.
I’m pretty much past the point of being offended at this kind of stuff anymore. For those who think it’s tongue in cheek, I say yes it is but that’s not how most guys take it. I know because I first watched this spot with a bunch of guy friends and their reaction and comments said otherwise.
What is offensive is the cheap and easy humor that they went for, forgoing real writing and creative and instead stooping to the lowest common denominator. I wonder how young males who like to crossdress feel when they watch something like this?
So, what do you think about this commercial? Are you offended at the gender stereotypes or the (lack of) humor? How would you market your product to young males? Should FLO TV be banned? (just kidding lol)
JessicaWhoHD
Facebook
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Although I do find this ad to have negative social externalities, you can’t blame business for keeping alive stereotypes for the sake of profit. I mean really, it’s unfortunate, not new. As I see it, we should all have thick skin when it comes to being bombarded with sh*t ads constantly. They wont go away. And as for how I would market a product like this?…The exact same way. Maybe even produce and run an ad targeting women to buy them for their men and run that between shows with higher female demographic ratings. Remember, advertising is about “business…nothing personal”. LOL