The latest campaign for the website designed for cheaters proves why “kindness” is not in their mission statement.
This may not be a sizzling hot story anymore, but it left its mark in print and online and I for one am even more appalled by Ashley Madison as a result.
Adultery with someone of any gender or size is not a case of ‘everything bad is good for you’ (a book that’s on my to-read list, thanks to curiosity and a friend’s recommendation), not even in moderation.
Promoting infidelity makes Ashley Madison a deplorable company of questionable morals and I know I am not alone in saying so. That there are enough unfaithful people to support Ashley Madison’s business model is a real shame in itself. Their latest advertisement, which promotes their already disgraceful business, while creating a hurdle for fat acceptance, is even more deplorable. The print ad implies that men should ditch their overweight or obese wives for a scantily clad thin seductress instead.
Ashley Madison’s advertisement raises several issues about pornography, sex, stereotypes and beauty, which you can consider while reading message boards (yes, those still exist) where people express their outrage.
While reading the photographed model’s story on Jezebel, I was surprised to see that she feels “eating disorders may have lost their place in the spotlight,” as they remain a very real problem.
Beauty brands continue to look at Dove for inspiration and try to match Dove’s incredible achievements because self-esteem has a significant bearing on consumer behaviour. Dove’s commendable efforts in working to improve self-esteem worldwide makes Dove a brand to emulate and rightfully so.
Look at a tabloid magazine cover, beside the Kardashian or Brangelina headline and you’ll likely see debates about supposed baby bumps because an actress ate a bagel, next to ‘exclusive secrets’ to losing as much weight as an underweight supermodel. Eating disorders remain in the spotlight because they are a public health concern affecting gender identities and relationships, not to mention the future of the beauty and fashion industries as they work to respond to the consumers’ changing needs and desires.
If anything, Ashley Madison’s publicity stunt has ensured eating disorders and body image remain at the forefront of public discussion, but it was a neither sensitive nor politically correct way to call attention to these issues.
Increased publicity for Ashley Madison: Check – it’s astronomically high.
Increased misrepresentation of women: Check – it’s the reason Miss Representation and similar documentaries are needed to promote fair and progressive representations of women in the media. It’s also the reason I’m merely providing a link to this spectacle, rather than posting images of it on Hot on the Street.