MARKETING TO WOMEN

Interesting press release from the European Parliament: EP members condemn the use of stereotypes in marketing and advertising, and adopted a report on ‘how marketing and advertising affect equality between men and women. The report notes the continued widespread existence of male and female stereotypes despite various Community programmes to promote gender equality. The repot was adopted with 504 votes in favour, 110 against and 22 abstentions’. 

That’s a substantial majority. The members of the EP ask member states to start special campaigns against sexist insults or degrading images of both men and women in advertising. Specific attention is paid to the use of extremely thin models because of their influence on people with eating disorders (esp. teenagers). 

I would love to have heard some examples of bad and good ads, but unfortunately these are not included in the press release.

Now I am not so sure about the influence of the European Parliament (limited, I’m afraid), but let’s hope this will lead to better advertising!