Forum Discussion
Jax1964
6 years agoMember
Exploiting breast cancer
Is anyone else as furious as me about the revolting, demeaning ad campaign by Honey Birdette exploiting Breast Cancer Awareness month?
I'd like to know if our leaders are going to write a position statement on this.
I'd like to know if our leaders are going to write a position statement on this.
21 Replies
- Patti_JMemberNot so simplistic in my case @primek.
- primekMember@"Patti J" yes we need a cure..but simplistic statement. Breast cancer is many different types and research continues to find better treatments. For many women currently the current treatment options, if caught early enough is a cure...just not for all.
But we do also need better treatments for women who can't be cured...this is where survival times are very important. - Patti_JMemberWe not only need increased survival rates, we need a cure.
- primekMemberI detest all their advertising and consider them soft porn.
The pink October campaign however is a huge part of our community here. Most businesses embrace it and our local breast cancer group spend 12 months making pink flowers that are bought by individuals and businesses, as well as selling T shirts etc. All funds raised in these items purchased go back to our community...they bought the cold caps for treatment....we didn't have that option before. The funded an ultrasound vein finder for lymphodeama patients and paid for the local physio to undertake specialist training. They make chemo caps given free to breast cancer patients. I expect it goes to the wig bank also.
I must admit it was confronting when under treatment but I use this month to share my story with work colleagues and share the story and encorage women to be aware, self exam and attend breast screen. The reason it's now 1 in 7...is because of increased awareness and earlier detection which increases survival rates of us all. - ZoffielMember
The understatement of the thread :) Behind every ad is an agency, and I have an almost unhealthy loathing of the middle men who come up with these ideas. Anything that can possibly be construed as sexy/salacious/ titillating (sorry for that) is fair game and there is no depths to which they will not plummet to sell product. Regardless of the impact and the more controversy, the more 'clicks' and exposure their clients get.AllyJay said:. Advertising in general is very often very objectionable and / or dishonest.
It occurred to me recently, that I buy very few things that are individually advertised, though many of the retailers I use do have recognizable jingles or catalogues. I relentlessly report any ads that appear on social media feeds in the hope it pisses someone off (objectionable covers a multitude of sins) and don't watch commercial TV. There are mercifully few billboards in this section of the planet. I guess these campaigns must work or they wouldn't bother doing it, but I have to wonder who the customers are. - AllyJayMemberWell this bunch write off the advertising cost which reduces their tax and the cost of the items as a donation so we, the tax payers ultimately pay for it to some degree. Advertising in general is very often very objectionable and / or dishonest. Breakfast foods and so called 'health bars" touted as
healthy choices" are anything but. Face creams marketed as "dermatologically tested...helps reduce the appearance of fine lines"...well, let's deconstruct that. Dermatologically tested essentially means a dermatologist (paid by whom and educated where?) squirted some of the cream on someones skin. Helps (by how much? .00001% ???)...reduce the appearance of ...huh? Doesn't say removes those pesky fine lines, just helps reduce the appearance of them. A few years ago, a certain car manufacturer had a tv advert showing a man at the edge of a high rooftop, and a crowd at the bottom yelling "Jump...jump!!!" The advert went on to say jump into their bargain which was being advertised. Jumping still features prominently in their advertising of their brand. I'll bet the surviving friends and family members of suicides loved that one. - CRMMemberHoney Birdette products might not be in everyone's taste but the company has over $600k followers on Instagram so if they can raise awareness and donate a bit of money then I think it's fantastic. Most companies that participate in philanthropy will then use it for their own publicity or advertising.
- ZoffielMemberYep. Colour something pink, add a statement about raising awareness, promise to donate a portion of 'profits' and Voila! your company has done all it needs to do to give itself a licence to do some very virtuous advertising. I know that some businesses donate substantial amounts of money, but I seriously doubt any statements about altruism.
Some of this stuff makes my eyes cross, but I don't buy their product anyway. Pink buns and sexy lingerie are both no gos for me these days and I won't purchase anything else that I suspect is taking advantage of my disease. - BlackWidowMember@Jax1964
Good of you (not) to give them a free ad !
Ignoring them and not buying their wares is the best we can do.
The link may be genuine but if it is not a 'safe' one then why jeopardize one's computer system ? Thanks @BlackWidow, pleased you alerted me. - Patti_JMemberWhen I worked at a very large public hospital, a friend in high places, asked the newsagent to remove some posters from the newsagent's window. They showed skimpily dressed women. He told the newsagents that he found the posters to be very inappropriate because there were many women in the hospital without breasts