Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to find the new Virgin airlines "After 25 years we're still hot" commercial offensive?

45 replies

smellen · 07/02/2009 20:14

Apologies if this debate has already been had on MN, and maybe I've lost the whole post-modern "irony" of it - but WTF?!?

OP posts:
Kimi · 07/02/2009 20:16

Its not offensive, just some women walking, end of.
I think the Cadbuys one is stupid...eat our chocolate...get tourettes LOL

nickytwotimes · 07/02/2009 20:18

I haven't ssen it, btu ther was a thread the other day with people discussing it. Many of them found it just palin sexist, yes.

Original poster
smellen · 07/02/2009 20:25

Thanks NickyX2, glad to hear it's not just me. I can't believe a company would run a campaign that must manage to alienate a large number of potential customers. I guess they just assume that business flyers are still mostly men.

OP posts:
WobblyPig · 07/02/2009 20:26

It doesn't sit very well with me. I like the Cadbury's one - the one with the kids - not sure about the tourettes thing.

NotPlayingAnyMore · 07/02/2009 20:29

YANBU. Loved the 80s theme until I saw it was all about "trolly dollies"*

  • Virgin's emphasis on it, not mine!
Minxie1977 · 07/02/2009 20:29

How does it alienate women???? There's a sexy captain for the ladies

ThePgHedgeWitchIsCrankyBeware · 07/02/2009 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

flaminhell · 07/02/2009 20:35

I cant see how its offensive to women, it shows us as strong, assertive, attractive, I dont see how that is offensive.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 07/02/2009 20:36

It is an advert.

Original poster
smellen · 07/02/2009 20:45

Yes, but women can be strong, assertive and attractive without having to dress like a male fantasy.

And yes, I know it's just an advert, but I just wonder if any progress has been made in the last 30 years in the way women are really viewed in the media, by business, in society?

Sorry - bit heavy for a Saturday night.

OP posts:
tiredsville · 07/02/2009 20:46

I like that advert, it's so cheesy

totalmisfit · 07/02/2009 20:49

'because all our cabin crew are sex on legs you should fly with us' talk about lowest common denominator. What about trying to appeal to customers through reduced carbon emissions or something equally out of fashion?

Pity the poor 'trolley dolly' who's pre-menstrual, exhausted after a 12 hour flight and having to cope with yet another bloke expecting her to be some kind of 80's amazon - after all he's paid good money to be waited on by someone really hot, hasn't he?

Original poster
smellen · 07/02/2009 20:54

Exactly. You have expressed my thoughts in a witty & concise way, totalmisfit.

I remember my mum saying that she used to get hassled by male patients (she was a nurse) who had seen too many of the Carry On films...

OP posts:
Kimi · 07/02/2009 20:56

The only thing I find "depressing" about this ad is the fact that when I walked through a room in the 80s I got those kind on looks....now two children later I could run around naked and the only way men would look at me was if I was covered in £50 notes, waving a can of stella and a copy of playboy

devilisunaccomplishedinprada · 07/02/2009 21:15

Lol Kimi me too. YABU it's only and advert it's not like they're gyrating around in thongs is it or completely naked like in some other adverts. I like it it's nostalgic.

broody4baby · 07/02/2009 21:23

Yes we have had this thread! But anyway....

Offensive to women? No! Powerful looking women, earning their own money flying the world. Its a bit of fun!

Kimi · 07/02/2009 21:24

If you really want to be offended take a look at the Ad the superbowl banned...the PETA add.

Never look at a aubergine the same way again bloody sexy vegans

broody4baby · 07/02/2009 21:25

My sister works for them and said that the advert IS MEANT to be tounge in cheek!

catMandu · 07/02/2009 21:26

YABU

starbear · 07/02/2009 21:35

Kimi LOL. So true I didn't even appreciate it when I had it! I now I've lost IT! If anyone finds it pls return to Starbear at Middle age,Portfolio@M&S.org.uk At least those girls will have on DVD for their old age!

Kimi · 07/02/2009 21:38

Starbear, I think we should send out a search party to find where we lost it still at least we had it even if it was 2 decades ago

starbear · 07/02/2009 21:46

BUT my ex-boyfriend has all the photos and I can't prove it now Going to my 22 yrs long service award in December, the boys are in for a shock but may be so I'm I. I'm going to the gym three times a week now and a Nell DVD. Oh! to be able to do my Jane Fonda video again! Work harder, feel the burn

Kimi · 07/02/2009 21:55

I still have my sexy young woman photos.... oh it is so wasted on the young...I want that body now I know what to do with it

starbear · 07/02/2009 21:58

So true

Juicygirlpink · 07/02/2009 22:07

the advert makes me laugh & the funniest bit my hubby used to fly b.a. with work, one of his colleagues flew virgin as they couldnt get on a b.a. flight he said 'its just better & the girls are nicer". One time i went with hubby on business & flew with virgin- yep the ladies were hotter but also really really nice to women like me! sex sells period