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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Company wants to discuss my feedback

12 replies

Tweet2tweet · 08/11/2013 13:37

An online company have just realised a new tv advert that features a woman seeing some shoes she can't afford. She goes to a pawn shop and sells her clothes. The advert them shows her walking through the street in just underwear but wearing 'the' shoes.
I gave feedback that it wad disappointing that they have chosen a sexist approach. They now want to discuss over the phone. It's good they have taken my feedback seriously but I'm afraid I won't talk well on phone.
Any tips on how to put my argument to them in an effective as possible way?

OP posts:
kotinka · 08/11/2013 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NiceTabard · 08/11/2013 16:36

Wow good for you.

Just tell them how you feel and why.

Remember that you are doing them a favour - you don't have to talk to them, you don't have to argue with them. If you find their approach unsettling or they argue the toss and put you on the defensive, you are more than entitled to simply end the call. Not saying that's what will happen, just thought how I would be in your shoes (no pun intended Grin).

kotinka's advice is good, do that Smile

TheSmallClanger · 08/11/2013 17:22

As with any complaint, be clear about what you want to see done, and give a timescale if necessary.

Make notes to use, as Kotinka says. This makes it easier to stick to your main points, and not ramble. Equally, if the person you are talking to tries to take things off on a tangent, politely bring them back to the point.

scottishmummy · 08/11/2013 17:26

Write bullet points to clarify your thoughts, don't be attacking be constructive
Don't feel compelled to fill any silences or pause,let them talk and explain
Given your eloquent written response you'll be fine vocally too

antimatter · 08/11/2013 17:38

if possible - when talking to them do it standing up - it helps with voice projection and also confidence too (learned that before doing the last lot of my interviews :) )

whatdoesittake48 · 10/11/2013 15:07

Are you clear on what you want to say - or do you want to expand on your points. I bet the women here will be able to help with formulating a great argument.

My ideas are that women in sexy shoes and little clothing is an image for men, not for women. it is boring to use a woman's body to sell shoes (or anything), it shoes a lack of insight and uniqueness. Selling your clothing for a pair of shoes is kind of ridiculous and frivolous and paints women as dim...

However, my bet is that they will listen politely and not argue the point with you. it is my guess that they were persuaded to use this approach by their advertising company and they want some arguments to go back to them with.

They only want to ensure they are hitting the right target with their branding message. if that involves the use of scantily clad women and the advertising works they will continue. Perhaps they are hoping for a more enlightened approach and want to get some ideas from their customers - this makes perfect sense.

You could be the start of this new approach for this company - well done! More of us need to complain in this way.

FamiliesShareGerms · 10/11/2013 15:11

Point out that they are presumably aiming their advertising at women but spectacularly missing their target audience in making it appealing to men. Ie financially it is a waste of time (they should care about the fact it's sexist too, but perhaps the money side might make them mote likely to take croon, sadly)

FamiliesShareGerms · 10/11/2013 15:12

"might make them take action", FFS!

Tweet2tweet · 13/11/2013 19:00

I finally got the call, thanks for your very good advice. The Director of Marketing was actually female. When I explained my points she suggested it was tongue in cheek and funny, I responded by saying, like Benny Hill you mean?! I then suggested that because it currently seems fashionable to objectify women and/or portray them as rather shallow and silly doesn't make it right.
Not sure they will take any notice but it was good to be given an opportunity to put my points across.

OP posts:
SplitHeadGirl · 14/11/2013 21:15

Well done Tweet. It is people like you who change things...bit by bit.

tribpot · 14/11/2013 21:23

I don't get why it's tongue-in-cheek or funny. Either with a man or a woman. Assuming the ad was for the shoes, I could imagine a high end fashion brand selling itself on the idea that people would go naked to own their fabulous shoes, but it wouldn't be intended to be tongue-in-cheek or funny, it would intentionally take itself very seriously.

Bloody patronising to be explaining the ad to you as well - she could at least have said 'we intended it to be funny but we'll take your feedback on board' rather than implying you perhaps just didn't get the 'hilarious' concept.

Well done for making a stand.

Lio · 15/11/2013 13:28

Well done Tweet.

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