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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Poundland ad is not “genius” and is actually a bit I appropriate?

773 replies

speakerwoofers · 21/12/2017 15:25

Most comments on Facebook are proclaiming it “genius.” I don’t think a sexual innuendo is that genius TBF.

Plus why is it a woman lying on her back with a t shirt saying “power” and a man standing over her dominating her. They could have at least chosen another sexual innuendo.

Also difficult to explain to kids.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

To think Poundland ad is not “genius” and is actually a bit I appropriate?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Tessliketrees · 21/12/2017 21:51

VladmirsPoutine

Did it? I didn't realise.

Tessliketrees · 21/12/2017 21:53

It makes it even more funnier

Who would have thought it would be possible?

quencher · 21/12/2017 21:55

People can be so stupid and we wonder why so many women are sexually abused and rape when we normalise certain things.

PumpkinSquash · 21/12/2017 21:56

Someone tweeted the police? Fuck me man

Yeah, they did.The American Kent (see, every day a school day, now I know there's a Kent in America Grin )
Whereas the American Kent tweeted back along the lines of "We're in the US, maybe have more luck tweeting someone more local?"
Grin
The outraged are the ones making it even more funnier than it was in the first place. Grin

Needmorechocolate · 21/12/2017 21:57

I think it’s horrible, especially with the t-shirt that barbie is wearing

Tessliketrees · 21/12/2017 21:58

The outraged are the ones making it even more funnier than it was in the first place

Who would have thought it would be possible?

PumpkinSquash · 21/12/2017 22:03

Who would have thought it would be possible?

Exactly

Eltonjohnssyrup · 21/12/2017 22:05

I know Pumpkin. I just can't understand why they can't get that they ARE the joke.

For an awful lot of their core customers the people getting cross about this are going to be the people who put them down all the time. People who call them awful knuckle dragging thick 'Leave' voters who like to lecture them about what to feed their kids and how to parent. People who tell them to shut up in public and belittle them because they're not cars carrying Corbynista Remainers with University degrees. You know, the sort of people who get cross about tradesmen using their toilets or can't imagine a life where one can avoid shopping at John Lewis & Waitrose. The sort of person who is very prevalent on Mumsnet...

That sort of core customer is going to be absolutely loving this and it will be getting them the sort of cult status brands kill for. It's like Pot Noodles 'slag of all snacks' or Tangos slapping man. Get the mums all the middle class mums worked up and self righteous and suddenly your brand has cred (or whatever the young ones call it these days).

Do you remember in the 80s when everybody used to laugh at Mary Whitehouse's moral crusades and covering the table legs? Same thing.

Honestly. It. Is. The. Fucking. Joke.

If the people getting outraged think that Poundland didn't expect them to react like this, that it isn't exactly what they wanted and isn't the ENTIRE BLOODY POINT of this campaign they are absolutely deluded. They're doing their work for them. They've wound them up and let them go.

RomansRevenge · 21/12/2017 22:08

@elton

They’re all too far up their own asses to see that though

annielouise · 21/12/2017 22:08

I think it's inappropriate and don't want to see this type of advertising becoming mainstream.

I also don't like some of the gifts for men on the Peacocks website - a blow-up "perfect girlfriend" who doesn't nag, loves footie, is sexy and is portable. Also, "boobie" handwarmers and a boob pillow. This is a mainstream, family shop. This is the kind of crap being sold in the 1970s. It's like Benny Hill has been resurrected. This is objectifying women.

I don't go in either Poundland or Peacocks much. It won't affect me deciding not to shop in either again.

What has Twinnings said? I don't have Twitter and couldn't see what they said.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 21/12/2017 22:09

People can be so stupid and we wonder why so many women are sexually abused and rape when we normalise certain things.

Can you not see why you are doing your job for them? You're fucking lampooning yourself. It's two toys with a fucking teabag making a tasteless pun and apparently a fucking elf on the shelf is going to make people go out and rape. What they fuck is normal about and elf and Barbie taking part in a sexual act including a Twinings teabag normal anyway? Are we all going to involve Twinings in our sex lives now because it's been normalised? How about elves?

Honestly, the parody is fucking writing itself. It's like something off brass eye.

Tessliketrees · 21/12/2017 22:09

cars carrying Corbynista Remainer with University degree

Going to get this printed on a T-Shirt.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 21/12/2017 22:10

They’re all too far up their own asses to see that though

Exactly Roman and that's the joke. And they just don't get it!

sagamartha · 21/12/2017 22:11

They’re all too far up their own asses to see that though

Objectifying women should always be called out - even if the advertisers think it's a clever marketing stunt designed to outrage people.

The same as homophobia and racism should always be called out - even if the advertisers think it's a clever marketing stunt.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 21/12/2017 22:11

I meant card carrying. Blush But I quite like the ideas of cars now. They should make a convoy and storm Poundland head office.

And punch that elf in his patriarchal fucking face.

Maybe a counter movement will start? #elflivesmatter

BertrandRussell · 21/12/2017 22:13

Elton-I am sure you are right. Which is why some of us keep trying to point out that we live in a deeply misogynist culture.

LloydSpinjago · 21/12/2017 22:13

Fuck yes Elton

Testify!

Pumperthepumper · 21/12/2017 22:13

Elton I think you’re giving the makers of this advert a bit too much credit. This isn’t a well thought out, critically considered, clever, meta-marketing campaign - it’s a rude, basic, cheap and easy laugh for people absolutely determined to prove their sense of humour at all costs. It’s the equivalent of a ten year old using rude words when his mum is out of earshot to make his friends laugh.

bakewelltarty · 21/12/2017 22:16

I think you are taking this far too seriously Elton. Bloody hell even Brexit made it into your diatribe.

People are allowed to have a different view to you without you insulting then. I don't think it has any bearing on how rich or poor anyone is, what type of education they had or how they voted in the referendum.I know plenty of people who shop in Poundland from every walk of life including myself.

Im sure people who don't find this funny have a very good sense of humour, there is just something deeply unsettling about the message in this advert, especially with what the Barbie is wearing.

WinchestersInATardis · 21/12/2017 22:18

They’re all too far up their own asses to see that though
ExactlyRomanand that's the joke. And they just don't get it!

Oh we do get it. And we still don't think it's funny.
You're not getting our point at all. And thats because you're just writing off anyone who disagrees with you as a 'middle class mum' instead of actually engaging in debate.

Tessliketrees · 21/12/2017 22:19

So now people are getting outraged about the outrage (seemingly without irony).

I wonder if that was part of the master plan too?

Parmesanity · 21/12/2017 22:22

annielouise Twinings has distanced itself from the Poundland ad and has denounced the 'misuse of its product'.

I think the range of ads (just seen them all on Twitter) is crass and naff and more than faintly whiffs of pubescent boys having a 'laugh'. Effective marketing in terms of hits but for entirely the wrong reasons IMO.

bakewelltarty · 21/12/2017 22:22

The only 'outraged' posters on here Tess are you and Elton!

Others have politely outlined why they don't find it funny. It's not funny to a lot of us, I'm not offended or outraged by it, I just think it is quite sad and disappointing.

Henshx · 21/12/2017 22:24

I'm in my 20s, very fond of a Poundland bargain and love a dirty joke - just think this is a bit much! People are entitled to an opinion without being generalised as 'middle-aged, boring feminazis'. A lot of us are probably far from it Grin

Tessliketrees · 21/12/2017 22:25

The only 'outraged' posters on here Tess

I think you need to read my posts again.