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

[speakerwoofers]

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?

The prevalence of imagery featuring men assaulting unconscious / drugged / drunk women all over the net is also no big secret - maybe it's not a stretch to think they were deliberately showing a woman who is passed out.

Pumpkin I thought you linked to #metoo but cba to scroll back

then again, you said you were offended by the term handmaiden and then asked what it meant....

I don't think she mentioned it directly but the context of the conversation was around it at that point.

I think the quote above speaks for itself really.

Maybe the hashtag #elfbehavingbadly is referring to the fact that the elf is usually seen doing cutesy pg things like making a mess or putting skittles in a dish with water to make a rainbow or something else utterly stupid, and performing a sexual act is going against his normal child friendly persona.

The hypocrisy on this thread is brilliant though. Man teabags woman screams rape, sexism, sexual assault, misogyny But no call of bulking, harassment, assault and whatever you get offended about when a gang of women restrain a man and gag him?

Of course this all redundant because they’re fucking bits of plastic that aren’t sentient

How do you get anything done reading so much into things? I’d be worried all the anger you’re building up over made up scenarios and nonsensical issues will give you a ulcer or blood pressure related problem. Stop thinking the world is against you on every little fucking thing and you might find it a better place!

Raven "But no call of bulking, harassment, assault and whatever you get offended about when a gang of women restrain a man and gag him?"

probably because that was so clearly the next step in their campaign, designed to placate the handmaids? oops I did it again

What's "bulking" - do I want to know

Yes it is try to divert the fact they "accidentally" made a rape joke.

Bit late really.

Maybe the hashtag #elfbehavingbadly is referring to the fact that the elf is usually seen doing cutesy pg things like making a mess or putting skittles in a dish with water to make a rainbow or something else utterly stupid, and performing a sexual act is going against his normal child friendly persona

Exactly, Bad Elf on the Shelf is hardly a new thing, it's been around social media for years usually can't move for them on Instagram
they're infinitely more funny than the "look at my cheeky elf that's wrapped the Christmas tree in toilet roll" or "my elf is writing to Santa" brigade.

And as for Sylvanian families

Well, whether you like it or not it's worked. 23000 followers, or about 25% increase in followers in a day. Even if the elf doesn't prompt people to buy things, it means Poundland can now reach them next year with offers on windscreen wash or razors or biscuits or whatever their latest offer is. Plus rengagement of their existing followers bumping them up in their algorithms on top of that.

I doubt more than 300 people would boycott, if that based on the number of objectors online. And I think most of them would rarely be customers anyway.

It's been a huge success. And it wouldn't have been if it wasn't for the outrage. So all the people getting their knickers in a twist have basically made a load of money for Poundland. What a bunch of mugs. They set it up and you walked straight into it.

I really don't understand how people can be so credulous and naive.

Pumpkin- did I miss where you explained why sexism is OK but racism isn’t?

I think we all missed that. Possibly Eltonjohnssyrup , given her/his self declared perspicacity, will take up the challenge.

Elton again, I think you’re giving them far too much credit. The idea of creating a ‘shocking’ adervt on purpose because ‘there’s no such thing as bad publicity’ doesn’t work anymore, offensive adverts absolutely can damage a brand’s reputation. The type of person this ad appeals to - young (ie young enough to understand the cultural reference in the joke), probably male given that the audience is supposed to side with the elf, ‘anti-Pc brigade’ - wouldn’t be seen dead in Poundland. Poundland can’t compete with online shopping for that audience. It’s people like me - 30s +, mother of young kids, easily swayed by bargains - who might consider heading to Poundland instead of Tesco if I can save a few quid. They’ve just shown absolute contempt for me as their customer so why would I support them?

The joke is basic - you honestly can’t think it took them long to think of it? You can’t honestly think this was their plan all along - it’s been thought up by a bored junior marketing employee. It’s unoriginal, it’s been done a million times before. It’s a shit joke, but it could easily be ignored because of its banality.

But they then chose to make a statement with the Girl Power t-shirt. That’s what makes it offensive. So I’ll ask you, as I’ve asked others - why not an action man, do you think? Why not a Black Power t-shirt or a #nodebate t-shirt?

Plus, as another poster pointed out, they’re not laughing at me. They’re laughing at you - the people who will jump at the chance to defend their sense of humour, the professionally unoffended. The idiots who will deliberately head to Poundland now because they once made a joke that offended people.

@Lass, I can't speak for others but my opinion is it rather comes down to value judgement. Sexism, racism, ableism, ageism (and any ism, for that matter) aren't inherently more deserving of scorn than any other. But individuals may categorise them as such subconsciously or otherwise.
For example, unrelated but relevant imo - a good friend of mine is an environmentalist, she campaigns, raises money, speaks publicly on climate change and so forth. I personally do 'my' bit for the environment and I think it's important to be aware of such issues but I don't have the time, nor inclination to attend every talk or demonstration; in other words, I don't feel as passionately as she does on that issue.

I think we all missed that. Possibly Eltonjohnssyrup , given her/his self declared perspicacity, will take up the challenge.

Okay I will.

Neither racism or sexism are okay. But they are both matters of perception. There are things which I think we can all agree are racist (like use of the 'P' and 'N' word. And there are things which are more ambiguous. Like taking the piss out of Diane Abbott for not being able to add up and saying 'fire puts out water'. Which some people think is incredibly racist and some people think is a fair criticism of an incompetent politician.

I think we would all agree that being told to get back into the kitchen and get out of the workplace would be sexist (and yes I am a she). But I think an awful lot of women like me would fail to get particularly worked up about this as an example of sexism when there are still places in the world where women can't drive, work or travel without the permission of men and women still face discrimination here at work when they have children.

RavenLG: "Of course this all redundant because they’re fucking bits of plastic that aren’t sentient"

That's OK, then. We all know that images of things can't be offensive.

Vladmirs I understand your point but I don’t think that’s quite the same - the equivalent would be you refusing to accept that environmentalism is a thing or mocking and belittling your friend for feeling passionate about it.

I agree though that people do feel more strongly about some issues than others - people who would not ever contemplate using a racist word could happily be ageist, for example. But for me, if someone says ‘I find that offensive because X’ then I would do my best to understand, rather than dismissing it immediately because it’s funny.

I'm a cough youngish mum in a 'naice' area with a Poundland. I can afford to shop in Waitrose / M&S but often pop in to poundland because I like a bargain. I won't be going again. And I won't be telling them on social media because I know I'll get random men making threats and calling me frigid / humourless which is what happens whenever a woman speaks out against funny bantz like this.

I can imagine many women like me (who are much more likely to shop there rather than young men) will quietly boycott them. I'm not sure this will lead to an increase in sales.

Gosh! Do Poundland do Twinings tea for £1??

And just to qualify that again, no I don't think it was very funny. Yes I do think it was pretty much genius in terms of marketing. They have engaged tens of thousands of their peripheral customers on social media.

Is that funny?

I think it's shit.

bold not intended! (So bloody old I can't work the internet!)

Elton why do you think it was genius in terms of marketing? You said yourself you doubt it will translate to sales, which is surely the whole point of an advertising campaign. Even if they’ve raised awareness of their brand, it makes no difference if they’re not making money out of it.

Pumper see my post above. The elf post itself won't translate much into sales, but they have increased their social media followers by 25% in a day and rengaged with current followers by bumping themselves up their algorithms.

So come new year when everybody is skint and looking for the cheapest deals Poundland is going to be engaging with a huge amount of extra customers with all their latest deals. Via the cheapest marketing medium possible.

£25 quid. That's 0.001p per extra follower.

So come new year when everybody is skint and looking for the cheapest deals Poundland is going to be engaging with a huge amount of extra customers with all their latest deals. Via the cheapest marketing medium possible.

But how many of them are going to make the trip specifically to Poundland to buy anything though? As I said - I’d guess very few.