Does Sex Really Sell?
I think you might agree that the old adage “sex sells” has been taken a little too closely to heart by many advertisers. But, we ask, is this technique something we just suppose works? Or, is there a more scientific reason behind why so many advertisers choose to take their creative efforts down this road?
We have all seen much of the brouhaha lately in the press about some companies and their strategies for reaching target audiences with blatant sexual messaging. Most notable is Abercrombie & Fitch, which generally features suggestive posses by teen models wearing only very little of the product(s) they're selling. Recently, they got in trouble for marketing padded, push-up bikini tops to children as young as eight years old.
Walmart has gotten in on the act, creating a new line of cosmetics directed at this group with "GeoGirl" makeup. Items in the line include SWAK (Sealed With a Kiss) lip treatment and T2G (Time To Go) facial cleanser.
All of this makes Celia Rivenbark's 2006 book "Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank" much more apropos, doesn't it?
Look me in the eyes…I said the eyes.
Handless model Tanja Kiewitz has recreated the famous Wonderbra ad featuring Eva Herzigovia in order to draw attention to handicap awareness group CAP48.
According to The GlobalPost, the ad has had a positive impact on fundraising, resulting in an increase to four million euros in donations, a 10 percent jump over last year.
While CAP48 says most of the reactions to the ad have been positive, there have been some concerns about throwing a negative light on a much-needed awareness campaign. What do you think? Does sex sell anything?