Ad Board: Skank’s okay to use if you’re campaigning against it
It’s okay to use the word skank in an ad encouraging kids not to call girls skanks, the Advertising Standards Board has ruled.
The ASB made the ruling after a complaint about the JWT-created message which was part of the Australian Government’s respect campaign “The Line”.
The complainant said: “I am offended by the use of the word “Skank” in a full page advertisement in the TV guide that all ages can access and read. I have a young child and I am glad that I found it before him. I believe myself and others would not like to have to explain what a S…. is to their young children and why it’s ok to advertise the word.”
Responding to the complaint, the Government said that the messages had been tested by JWT in focus groups beforehand. It argued: “We believe the campaign needs to address the current social issues which reflects the actual language of the teenage audience and the reality faced by parents/teachers and other key influencers of teenagers.”
Dismissing the complaint, the ASB said: “The Board considered that the advertisement is not condoning the use of the term ‘skank’ for girls, or suggesting that this is an appropriate word to use. Rather, the advertisement is clearly suggesting that the use of this term would be inappropriate to use in relation to young women.”
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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I love skanks.
http://theworstofperth.com/200.....ve-skanks/
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I don’t really understand the indignation over the word “skank”. It’s not as if it’s NEW! Hell, it’s been around for 30-odd years. Shock-horror-probe!
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Hot Skanks is the name of the band I’m in, and we love skanks and all things skanky. Skankiness rulez, and is fully sick in my books.
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