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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Posie Parker statement: Not Overheard At Waitrose

178 replies

SwearyG · 19/10/2018 21:27

At 2.30 this afternoon the incredible Hannah Clarke and Julia Long headed over to Waitrose, Cromwell Road, London to photograph my billboards. A lovely twin set either side of Waitrose, a perfect placement if ever there was one! But no photographs emerged. I called Media Agency Group to find out where my billboards were. One of their staff told me the billboards had gone up and then been taken down by the landlord so they could look into the campaign. A treacherous campaign it is too, the definition of woman is practically an invitation to warfare. I'm sure the landlord scrutinises all adverts, just like Primesight and Exterion.

So I called the building management. They told me to call Waitrose as this was nothing to do with them, they insisted it was not their decision. I've called Waitrose press office and they told me it wasn't them, and Hannah and Julia asked the branch and they said it wasn't them!! My conclusion is that it's most likely to be Waitrose as the building management company implied it was.

At no point has anyone from Waitrose or MAG called me to tell me the billboards have been removed, and as they're digital someone must have had at least a conversation before interfering with the software.

I remain determined to continue to place in the public sphere that woman is an adult human female, until every woman understands what is at stake.

OP posts:
Beesandfrogsandfleas · 21/10/2018 00:35

Hmm, have they responded to Posie though and set things straight?

PomBearsAtWaitrose · 21/10/2018 08:52

Don't know about you, but something about this smells off to me

Me: Asks a reasonable, easily answered question
Them: Gives weasesly buck passing non-answer.

Dear Pombear

I've not been made aware yet that contact will be made to the building company as to why they've advised it was us and not them that made the decision.

However, I'm sure the branch manager will be looking into this.

Kind regards
Waitrose Person's name
Executive Office

Charliethefeminist · 21/10/2018 10:23

I don't think a Waitrose boycott will get off the ground unless Waitrose declare their opposition to a billboard. Damn right it's off, and I won't use them again, but a proper boycott won't happen, I reckon.

Ineedacupofteadesperately · 21/10/2018 10:35

didn't know the whole story about Lothian buses. I'm getting really fed up. I routinely see ads objectifying women, ads that I think are inappropriate for my 8 yr old Dd to see but the definition of woman? No that's what gets removed.

Where can I move to? Can we set up a UK umoja?

Knowmydisrespect · 21/10/2018 10:41

Given that these are digital billboards, then surely it must only be the billboard company employees who are actually able to take adverts down. It’s not like anyone with a long ladder, a bucket of soapy water can remove a digital advert.

Why would Waitrose or any other company in that building have the means to change the advert on another company’s billboard?

Beesandfrogsandfleas · 21/10/2018 11:04

Do Waitrose have no say in these ads which go up on either side of their company name? I’m trying to picture two large Tesco ads being allowed up there, for example.

TransposersArePosers · 21/10/2018 11:50

With the Ocado boycott, I know this is a picky point, but I feel it is important (and as we all know, the feelz rulez)

A TRA (Ali Edwards) contacted Ocado first while the poster was up and said as a loyal customer they were disappointed that Ocado used Primesight given Primesight's clear transphobia putting up Posie's poster, and would boycott. The response from Ocado is below .

(Not on twitter and crap with technology or would post pictures of the tweets from the original poster thread , but wording from Ocado to the TRA over 2 tweets was:

'We take this really seriously and make sure that we do everything we can to ensure we're working with companies who are aligned with our values. Primesight have confirmed that they were unaware of the motive behind the billboards in question and that they have now been removed and as such we will continue to work with them on our campaign.')

So in other words,Ocado agreed with Primesight that the definition of women is offensive and transphobic and women can just fuck off, so we did! There was a de camp to Waitrose, which is why the Waitrose posters would have been a great big fuck off yourself to Ocado.

paffuto · 21/10/2018 12:57

It's Kong Outdoor who have removed the billboard while they are investigating. Link over on voting for woman definition thread.

paffuto · 21/10/2018 13:00

Vote online for definition woman billboard. That thread, sorry can't do links.

paffuto · 21/10/2018 13:07

What are they "investigating"? The meaning of Woman or the rhetoric from TRA? Kong Outdoor's choice.

Uterusowner · 21/10/2018 13:41

I don't understand why these companies give in to the TRA demands so quickly and without thought. That's two advertising companies who rather than telling one outraged member of the public to just do one would rather lose money. I just don't understand it.

Surely companies, financial institutions, MP's etc are savvy on social media so can see what is going on, why are they all so complicit in enabling narcissistic abusive people to gain control at the expensive of 50% of the population?

enrichedatthegulags · 21/10/2018 22:19

Can someone quickly update me one the Waitrose situation? - Ive skimmed but haven't got time to rtft and I need to place my food order soon but don't want to shop with Waitrose if they are in fact bastards!

Charliethefeminist · 21/10/2018 23:32

I think they give in because TRA are so powerful. We've seen the revolving doors of government and civil service. What if you want a new store to open and you can't get the planning. What if you get hacked. What if stuff you want to happen suddenly starts slowing down.

Budgieinaberet · 21/10/2018 23:38

Does anyone know if any other billboard has been removed due to complaints ?
I know women have complained about lots of different ones, but I am not aware of any being taken down.

RoseJasmine99 · 22/10/2018 14:49

Hello, Does anyone have any photographic evidence that these billboards went up at all?

averylongtimeago · 22/10/2018 16:07

Liverpool, Leeds, BBC, Royal opera house, British Museum.

The proof is easy to find you know.

Posie Parker statement: Not Overheard At Waitrose
Posie Parker statement: Not Overheard At Waitrose
Posie Parker statement: Not Overheard At Waitrose
averylongtimeago · 22/10/2018 16:10

Apparently I am over my picture allowance for today, but google will help you.

Sarahjconnor · 22/10/2018 17:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Materialist · 22/10/2018 18:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ineedacupofteadesperately · 23/10/2018 06:43

No, posie wasn't warned, she was investigated based on (unfair imo) accusations and found there was no case to answer. Iirc

Ineedacupofteadesperately · 23/10/2018 06:45

Do correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that was the upshot of it all, but yes, criminalizing speech is a slippery slope.

theOtherPamAyres · 23/10/2018 10:24

There is an emerging theme of craven billboard companies removing ads at the slightest whiff of the word 'hate'.

I wonder if they would be so quick to act if people started complaining about other kinds of ads. Maybe one day we'll be able to test their commitment to standards of decency and equality - let's keep eyes peeled for ones that are objectionable and complain.

.

arranfan · 23/10/2018 10:31

an emerging theme of craven billboard companies removing ads at the slightest whiff of the word 'hate'.

Couldn't agree more - and that they're not at all as quick to respond when it's other complaints. It would be useful to test this - it is hard to fight data in the eyes of people who are concerned with fairness.

Redshoeblueshoe · 23/10/2018 16:54

I thought there were a lot of complaints about the Beach Ready ones, and much earlier the Lambs Navy Rum.
But hey they only offend women, so they don't give a shit about them

RoseJasmine99 · 23/10/2018 21:37

Thank you- I am talking specifically about the ones on the Cromwell Road. Of course, I can see the others. I am just trying to get to the bottom of this particular ones. Google shows nothing.