Ad watchdog bans strip club poster because it may show nipple
The advertising watchdog has upheld a complaint against an outdoor ad for a Townsville strip bar featuring a buxom woman in a low cut top, despite the club claiming that what appeared to be a nipple was in fact “corruption in the electronic image”.
The poster for the Santa Fe Gold nightclub features the woman with the message “I’m waiting. xxx”.
One complaint to the ASB said: “This ad is completely degrading to women, showing a large cleavage and implying she is available to be oogled (sic) and ‘available’.”
The ruling comes at a sensitive time for the outdoor industry in Queensland, with the Outdoor Media Association currently battling a push for new legislation in Parliament. The controversial ad featured in local paper The Townsville Bulletin late last wek.
Upholding the complaint, the ASB ruled: “The majority of the Board considered that in connection with the text ‘I’m waiting’, the sexual nature of the business and the sexualised image of the woman, the advertisement presented the woman in a manner that was subservient and degrading.”
It went on: “The Board noted that the advertisement is above a car park which is used by patrons to family restaurants and entertainment centres and so it is likely to be viewed by a broad audience which would include children.
“The Board noted that the woman was wearing a bra or low cut top. The Board agreed that the neckline was very low and that the nipple of the woman’s left breast was seemingly exposed. The Board agreed that although it is difficult to determine exactly whether the nipple is visible, the first, likely impression and perception is that there is an exposed nipple and that the position of her breast would suggest that that is where the nipple would appear anatomically. The Board considered that the low cut top exposed the majority of the woman’s breasts in a sexually suggestive manner.”
Santa Fe Gold responded: “Clearly the decision of the board is predicated on a belief that the ‘nipple was seemingly exposed’. The board also agreed that it is difficult to determine exactly whether the nipple is visible. Santa Fe did not intend for the Advertisement to show any part of a woman’s nipple or areola and it was surprised to read of the board’s findings in that regard.
“Whether a nipple can be seen or not is subjective to the viewer. This is clearly recognised by the board itself.
“It appears there has been a corruption in the electronic image that led to the formation of the Advertisement. This may explain the appearance of areola to some board members.”
So the word ‘waiting’ has some kind of sexual connotation now? Glad I quit waiting tables.
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So THAT’S what they look like.
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Fair enough. Advertise somewhere else.
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“Whether a nipple can be seen or not is subjective to the viewer”………… c’mon you bunch of sad, boring, repressed old farts it’s either there or it’s not. And it’s not on my computer but then I’ve never been a fan of wishful thinking.
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Come on Analog, words don’t exist in a vacuum. When positioned next to that image of the woman, it’s obviously a sexual connotation.
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Well this complaint is a joke:
“This ad is completely degrading to women, showing a large cleavage and implying she is available to be oogled (sic) and ‘available’.”
No, its completely degrading to THAT woman, but she’s ok with it, because she’s a stripper and gets ‘oogled’ at for a living! In fact, this could actually be a cry for help! She’d hardly be ‘waiting’ if she had enough business to support her lifestyle. The strip club should be praised for providing & promoting work for women WHO CHOOSE TO, AND ARE HAPPY TO BE OOGLED AT, for a living but don’t have the capital to set up their own shop.
Fair enough on the nipple claim, can’t be getting those out in public whether it is a ‘corruption of the electronic image’ or not.
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OMG … do you see nipples in a strip club? Who’d have thunk that !
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For thousands of years, women have danced in either transparent (veiled) or scant garments. Cancan dancers have stretched their legs high in the air to afford a glimpse of their knickers and review girls have paraded about in fish net stockings and G strings, whilst waving their ample, and in many cases, exaggerated breasts, bosoms, “bangers” Tits or what you will, in the name of entertainment; cheerleaders, bless them, do much the same.
We live in the age of the internet with its billion dollar erotica industry, we allow all manner of sexualisation of both men and women in film and television, in advertising and even sports.
This poster (above) is advertising an adult club or venue, where women dance and/or serve at tables, and where their full and consensual intent is to exploit, not women per se, but the rather obvious and time honored commodity of female pulchritude.
We are sexual beings, we enjoy beefcake, cheese cake, dirty dancing, footy players, tennis skirts, hunks and dolls etc.
Outside of working and paying tax, worrying about the mortgage and the cost of living, or what the world leaders are doing next in order to prevent or cause our loveless destruction, this is one of the exciting and generally harmless things we we do; we enjoy each others physical beauty.
I think the poster gives a very clear message of a very simple idea. I wonder, would the local Councillor care to explain what he/she meant by the wrong idea?
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What you choose to look at on your pc/tablet/phone is up to you, but the general female population is demeaned by such an image and message in a public place
They have a right to not be sexually objectified at every turn
You neanderthals, you.
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The lines are very blurred, innit.
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“But your animal….. baby its in your nature”
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