Does sex still sell?

Problem is the gender thing. Media advertising in general is stil using a whole lot of cliches that exist about female gender as a means of sexy advertising. Hence the silk, glossy look you referred too. We are not even taking account the overall majority of a depiction of women as lust objects, looking daring and dressed up. Advertising that way has nothing to do with ethics, gender watch etcetera.

> Do you think that there’s any correlation between ‘luxury and truly sexy ads’ and ‘less luxury and smutty ads’ ?

Luxury and desire are very close to each other. It appeals to a plastic perverted desire, reaching to the impossible: needing more and more, like a feeling of excess. That sort of advertising tries to reach to that point, convincing that you should try it, need it.
A Classy look could look clean but in fact is just the same thing as the dirty perverted thing. (from the sexual point)

> I agree that sex in advertising, especially in the past could be accused of being geared towards men and objectifying women. I think that this is improving though.

The marketing has shifted to not only women but also androgynous and homoerotic themes used in marketing. The increasing buying power of Western female population (especially perfumes, cloths,e tcetera) led to more depections of attractive men, that is true. But it is the same thing, since:it appeals to repressed sexual desires, which are thought to carry a stronger emotional load. And higher the intrest in buying the products. Censorship has been more tolerable towards explicit sexual content especially in the West, in other parts of the world you see a total ban of sexual scenes. Though I think people/customers are not ignorant and dumb, but since we have been bombarded with advertising through all media (TV,Internet,etc) it turned into a comon thing, we think it is normall to see that shit.

Sex sell. Sexiness does too. TAG body spray took over the market in no time with there girls on guy advertising blitz.

Great article. I feel that it all depends on the target market - if your trying to sell a product to the over 50’s, chances are that sex isn’t going to be your best bet. Selling to teenage boys and your onto a winner.

I think you have made a valid point in that sex does have negative connotations to some demographics. Its a fine line. Think about French connections crude FCUK slogan. It worked for a while but now the negative has taken over the perceived positive and their brand is in ruins, desperately trying to pull itself out of a bad reputation. Sex may work on some of us, but for others it really isn’t the be-all and end-all of life…

I think as Chris says that in each of us, deep down, we are drawn to sex whither we like it or not. I would like to think that I personally can see through most advertising ideas (being in that industry) and so I would hope that I would only purchase things on what I wanted not on what I was told to want – even if my eye was caught by an attractive model.

I have been known to stir clear of particular brands because of their association with sex. Personal I do not feel that sex sells to me but I’m sure in the way you describe it, it would sell to vast target audiences.

I’m not in my 50’s…. lol

In Australia, where, thanks to legalized brothels and a slightly more European attitude, there’s a wholly different view toward what I consider to not only be sexual advertising, but sexist advertising. Thankfully Australia’s still conservative enough (family wise) that people who support these ads are usually on the fringe a bit more, as far as I’ve witnessed in my three months here.

While not prevalent, there are numerous ads of half-dressed (if even that!) women for gentleman’s clubs. It’s all about “his pleasure,” “his desire,” what “he wants.” It’s a stroke of HIS ego…amongst other things.

More than anything, that was what shocked me as an American coming here and living. Not the ads themselves, so much, but the narrow viewpoint. If you want to be trashy and make money off of it, let’s be honest: men aren’t the only horn dogs. Moreover, straight men and women aren’t the only horn dogs. Personally, because of my own beliefs, I’m not thrilled to see the ads, period. However, business wise, all I can think is “How can they willingly cut out such a huge portion of the market?”

I agree with the others that there is a time, place and method to use ads of a sexual nature, or you will harm one or all of your demographics in time (like in the FCUK case that Matt pointed out). The other odd thing is that we sometimes forget how widely different everyone is and how different we all perceive sex and attraction, too, so I feel it’s better to be abstract and suggestive, rather than so full on. For instance, about the only sexually-charged advertisement that will ever appeal to me is one that is humourous, be it leaning toward perverse humour or something else. This has to do with the fact that, actually sexually, I’m not interested in being attracted to anyone I don’t really know, so the ad doesn’t work on me; humour is the only thing that removes me enough from the situation. In fact, it’s typically a turn off when I see half-dressed people, no matter the sex, in ad that’s supposed to turn me on and make me want to buy the product.

Sex has to be used wisely in advertising. I think the examples you gave, especially the Moet one (because I like it :P), are good examples of how implication and careful settings are often much more powerful than being blunt. It certainly appeals to me a lot more than seeing some girl’s a$$ parked up on my screen while she washes a car.

I think if sexiness fits the site, then don’t be scared to use it. :) I sure do! :D

Kineda is like the Sun, a perfect example of sleeze.

I’m actually asked to do a research on a topic call ‘free sex’.So i think this site helps a lot.Thanks.

sure, its not ethical to use women in advertising as sex objects…but is advertising ethical in itself?

WTF?how and why is sex used as a means to market a product and to increase sale?

Вообще, откровенно говоря, комментарии тут гораздо любопытнейсамих сообщений. (Не в обиду автору, конечно :))