Silvio Berlusconi With A Trunk Full Of Tied-Up Women: Worst Ford Ad Ever?

[The Straight Story]

Silvio Berlusconi With A Trunk Full Of Tied-Up Women: Worst Ford Ad Ever?

JWT India created a series of disturbing ads for the FordFigo, one of which shows former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi flashing a peace sign from the front seat of a car that has three curvaceous women tied up and gagged in the trunk. Ford and JWT have both issued an apology.

Ford did not approve the ads; the agency was just publishing some speculative renderings to show off its creative chops. JWT India is Ford's agency for the Figo in that country.

India is known for its politically incorrect advertising — Hitler shows up in ads there on a regular basis. It is possible that JWT India was trying to make a joke about Western culture rather than the role of women in society — although either way it's tasteless. (If you click to expand the image, it's evident that the woman in the sexy schoolgirl outfit is crying.)

The tag line reads: "Leave your worries behind with Figo's extra-large boot," clearly referencing Berlusconi's many affairs and bunga bunga parties.

http://www.businessinsider.com/awful-ford-figo-ad-silvio-berlunsconi-gagged-women-2013-3

[seabeyond]

1. thank you so much sharing a horrifying vile ad that men will think cutsey and funny as on

another thread i listen to womens pain at being raped.

[The Straight Story]

2. Hate men much? So you think all men will like the ad. Seems sexist.

I don't like the ad and think it was inappropriate.

I post a ton of threads on DU and you only seem to show up in a few, which says you have more of an agenda than you are claiming I do with your sexist reply.

[seabeyond]

4. ya. cause really. i just go around hating on the po men. nt

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. You said, and I quote: "thank you so much sharing a horrifying vile ad that...

...men will think cutsey and funny.

I don't think it's fucking funny! And I'm a man!

Thanks for the broad-brush there, man-hater.

[seabeyond]

8. ya wanna bet men created the ad? was that ALL men? what is that? no?

not ALL men created the ad?

well, hell, there you go.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

9. I don't give a shit who made it. What I give a shit about is you constantly

bashing men on this forum. Every time I see a comment from you you are bashing and hating on men.

Don't fucking come at me with your man-hating bullshit! I don't fucking deserve it!

You are constantly shrieking about men being sexist toward women while you are in the act of being sexist against men! Stop it!

[seabeyond]

10. ya, cause i made a totally vile, offensive ad to demean and degrade women... oh wait, no

i only called out the demeaning and degrading ad and made a comment about men that get a kick out of this vile shit, and how totally fuckin offensive it is to be on a thread about rape and dismissing the rape and rape apologists on du, .... then seeing this cutsey little vile ad.

Don't fucking come at me with your man-hating bullshit!

what? you gonna beat me up?

[seabeyond]

12. Don't fucking come at me with your man-hating bullshit!

[Whisp]

32. the OP got the exact same reaction he was wishing for.

and you obliged by jumping in and doing exactly what he wanted. You goad and prod at women who have much reason to be very sensitive to sexist shit.

Shame on you guys.

This is a horrible time for women and girls what with the Stuebenville case, the laws against women by the Teabaggers, and you want to yell at us because we are sick of this shit brought up just to antagonize us?

shame on you and shame on the OP who does this continually. Lights a spark hoping for a firestorm and usually gets it, because there are a lot of people here that have much pain related to sexist shit.

you guys make me sick.

[lumberjack_jeff]

33. Drop this "you guys" nonsense. n/t

[seabeyond]

35. stuff this "having to say SOME, MANY, TOO MANY" before saying men ALL the fuckin time

or it means ALL guys or ALL men.

[lumberjack_jeff]

40. How about "you said". Is that too much to ask?

I am very fed up with this "you all think" victim bullshit.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE THINK. YOU ONLY KNOW WHAT THEY SAY.

If you want to jump on me about something I have said, by all means do so. If you want to jump on me for what you suspect I believe, then stop right now, because you're not qualified to have an opinion on the subject.

[seabeyond]

44. you really dont address the issue that i was not talking about you, if you did not fall in the SOME,

TOO MANY, MANY, A LOT, A FEW, A HANDFUL of men. right? because i say men created the ad, it does not mean ALL men created that ad. because i say men get a giggle out of this it does not mean ALL men get a giggle out of this. not like we have not discussed this before and you are well aware of it. hence the pretend. i didnt address YOU if you are outraged about the ad. simple enough. pretend away

[lumberjack_jeff]

48. You're attacking a strawman. Worse, you've told the men on DU that we are that strawman.

And that our arguments to the contrary are simply pretending.

The jury which voted 4:2 to allow your first post in this subthread to stand is responsible for the flamewar that resulted.

This is bullshit, and you owe US an apology.

[seabeyond]

52. and again. you do not address ALWAYS having to say SOME< MANY< A FEW men, whenever

speaking of men. that you insist it means ALL men. that is a bullshit argument. i notice someone wrote women in this thread and no one feels we need to say SOME women. we get it. you get it. if everyone gets it, it is a fuckin game. now, the guys can pretend i am a man hater, and play victim when it is an ad degrading, demeaning women for MENS entertainment. i am done. i have said it out loud, and yawl have ignored it enough, that from here is a waste of time.

[lumberjack_jeff]

54. Typing isn't that tough.

If it takes a couple more words to say what you really mean, then do so. I simply don't care that the broad brush requires fewer keystrokes.

But sometimes, it's better to assume that what people write is what they actually mean.

[seabeyond]

56. no. i will not do so. i am so damn tired of you and other dictating what i must do to comfort you

when i am addressing a god damn ad that is so vilely offensive that i know straight story put up to play the little fuckin game on du, after coming out of a thread listening to women talk about rape.

YOU get it. YOU be clever enough to know saying men does not = ALL men. it is a childish and foolish argument to suggest that if a person says an ad made for male entertainment will have men giggling that it is not ALL men.

and thank you so much for being outraged over those that declare i am a manhater. now that one. that one was a clear personal attack ACTUALLY addressing me.

using men addressed NO ONE that did not get a chuckle from this ad

and you really wonder why it is so fuckin obvious to us all that this is one big fuckin game of pretend.

[Marr]

110. Your comment was a broadbrush insult to men.

Your description of the complaints as nothing but men trying to control you is leaving me a bit befuddled.

[snooper2]

107. I'm only this far into the thread..

An seabeyond, you are the only reply to the OP so far and look at all the drama...


REALLY?

[seabeyond]

109. ya, cause really snoop. i'm just talkin' to myself all the way to this point. who created the drama?

the people that made the vile ad, or the OP that wanted to get a reaction.

[Whisp]

36. I was referring to two people, the OP and the one I responded to.

but if you are volunteering as 'one of da guys' go ahead.

[seabeyond]

34. but. now, alas, they will all pretend they are the victim, being picked on by the man hater. ya

i get it.

[txwhitedove]

82. The victim here is DU. You have taken DU hostage and made us all victims by repeatedly

hi-jacking even the simplest of goofy OP’s to use for your own purpose. Your tone comes across to many as HOLLERING and nasty.

We really do get it. It’s a bad world, with bad guys (of either gender) who do ugly things. You are actually preaching to the choir and need to find another audience or a support group. Please.

[seabeyond]

83. ah, well see, i would argue you get it if this ad qualifies as the "simplest of goofy OP’s"

but, damn. take the who board of du as hostage? the other day we were accused of making up and manufacturing the whole academic theory of benevolent sexism.

[txwhitedove]

84. No, this particular OP is not goofy. But you made it personal by attacking the poster instead of

the ad itself, yet again. That's hi-jacking the thread, especially with post after post of the same vitriol. Please find some real pervs and bad asses to yell at, and not your DU comrades.

[seabeyond]

85. ah, so i get to speak out against this ad? and ya, we have been here long enough we get what other

posters are doing and why.

if you want to put all of the woes on my shoulder, go at it. i am ok with that. he and i and others know damn well what he was doing.

[txwhitedove]

87. So this is a conspiracy although the same ad was posted this week by another DU'er?

Do you honestly not know how you come across here? Lay down the cross. Rest.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

41. What makes me sick is seeing a woman who is demanding respect from men turning

right around and bashing men in the process.

I am not amused by the content of the OP and I shouldn't be broad-brushed into a group of men who may be amused by it.

And as for the pain of sexism, I get it. I'm new here, still. I don't know of the OP's alleged agenda. I'm also unaware of the sexist pain of the woman in this thread who bashes men in nearly every single post she posts.

I am extemely disappointed that you, Whisp, have taken this stance against me. I have been familiar with you since joining and have enjoyed seeing your commentary. I'm sorry I make you sick because I defend myself (and decent men) from a man-hating poster who seems to constantly get away with her sexism while man-bashing in the same breath.

Oh well. Be sick then.

[Whisp]

46. I am sorry but I won't be losing any sleep over your 'disappointment' of me

Seeing as you are new to the planet, you should realize that these kinds of stealth attacks are never about a certain individual, although certain feminists here sure do take the brunt of the outrage from a small segment of frightened men who think something is about to be taken away from them - it is against any woman who will not stand for the sexist shit we see here every damned day. and there are a handful ( a very small minority but they are very vocal, by far most men here are decent and caring people and don't have to be told someof these things are hurtful, they just know it) of guys who thrive on this - the OP is one imho - they love putting shit out they Know will upset some people, and they love it.

So don't look at me with your disappointed gaze, look at the wider picture and just maybe you might understand something you didn't before.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

49. I don't need you to lecture me on how to respect people. And I don't need you to teach me anything.

Pretty presumptuous on your part.

But thanks anyway.

[Whisp]

51. you are most welcome.

Always glad to help.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

53. You got me so, so wrong that you weren't any help at all. I will try not to

let this incident shadow your commentary on other issues, if that matters at all to you. I hope to be awarded the same respect.

[Whisp]

55. I thought you were done?

You can go now, you know. Take your outrage, pack it away neatly, and move along.

Unless you want more 'disrespect!!!!'

[ChisolmTrailDem]

58. You were the one that came at me with your "you make me sick" outrage. How about

you move along?

[Whisp]

60. well I asked you first!

nyah nyah. you don't even know the rules, man.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

140. Get over yourself

Ford also did the same ad with Paris Hilton driving around with the Kardashian brood tied up. If anything they're guilty of overpaying an ad agency with little or no sense of humor. It's not women's suffrage all over again for Christ's sake.

[Whisp]

141. lol.

are you intentionally funny and vapid?

[Floyd_Gondolli]

143. Shhhh.....

That's the sound of me not giving a shit about what you think.

[Whisp]

145. by answering you just gave some. lol. o my,

[The Straight Story]

13. Well IF a woman created it, it would be because of things men did, right?

So either way blame men.

Also note the ad was about covering up/hiding people they didn't like - in the second ad it is paris hilton with the kardashians in the trunk.

Still a stupid and sick ad.

[seabeyond]

14. you never really do actually address what i post. just inflammatory insults.

[The Straight Story]

15. Perhaps you were looking into a mirror when you replied (nt)

[seabeyond]

17. ya, this Op really is about middle school mentality, for sure. are we gonna

go into

bounces off me and sticks on you, next?

[The Straight Story]

18. Wait, so an op about an ad is upsetting you?

You agree the ad is sexist, right?

But instead of talking about the sexism in the ad you chose to talk about men and DU and me.

Who is the one acting like they have a middle school mentality?

You keep assigning motive to people and wonder why they have an issue with you? And not just a few people - to all men and pretty much most all posters on DU.

You may have what you see as noble desires on something but your tactics do nothing to help others to see your side on issues because it is not the issues you discuss so much - you spend more time labeling and attacking people who don't see things your way every time.

I don't agree with Obama on some things, does not mean I hate him and want bush in office. I can disagree with a liberal and not hate liberalism.

[opiate69]

77. So says the gal...

Who apparently still believes the SPLC called all MRAs hate groups.

[LittleBlue]

22. Same. I've no idea what's going on

Every post is some rant, usually vitriol about men

[seabeyond]

23. and every post is an applause in degrading women. hey.... we all have our issues. nt

[LittleBlue]

26. No one in this thread is degrading women.

What are you going on about?

[seabeyond]

28. ah, but it is great satirically, right?

[Evoman]

61. Ah christ. She doesn't mean all of us men. Enough of this bullshit.

Why the fuck does everybody get all excited just because she doesn't say "some men" instead of just "men" when it's pretty goddamn obvious she doesn't mean all men. Are you all seriously that fucking dense?

For once, can we just talk about an OP without SOME (<---there, happy?) men getting all whiney and derailing the fucking thread? It's getting old.

[Summer Hathaway]

72. Do you mean like ...

"Women are sexually aroused by bondage."

"Women marry for money."

"Women are attracted to men who can enjoy a sexual relationship without emotional involvement."

There would be NO need to qualify any of those statements with "some women", or "certain types of women", or a "few women", would there?

If anyone posted the above statements WITHOUT those qualifiers, Seabeyond's head would explode.

"For once, can we just talk about an OP without SOME (<---there, happy?) men getting all whiney and derailing the fucking thread? It's getting old."

The only posters I see getting whiney and derailing the thread are the usual contingent of self-proclaimed feminists - who, rather than commenting on the ad that is the topic of the OP, are busy discussing the motive of the man who posted it because they just KNOW what's inside his head - and that's because they all KNOW what "men" are up to at all times, and it's never anything good.

[Katashi_itto]

91. +1000

[Marr]

113. Well put. /nt

[HiPointDem]

63. "hate men"? it's a disgusting ad, there's no news value, she doesn't hate men,

you posted it just to tweak people like her.

it's disgusting and yes, vile.

[The Straight Story]

68. Funny, this same story was posted in HOF

And she commented on the story like most people would do.

I post it and she made it about me.

"thank you so much sharing a horrifying vile ad that men will think cutsey and funny as on"

So if a woman shares the ad it means one thing but a man sharing it means something else? And she said men would find it cutesy but not women?

I post a lot more stories about gays in the US than stories about sexism and people don't come into those threads to accuse me of posting them to stir up shit re: gays - the one doing the stirring here was her.

[seabeyond]

69. the story in hof brought up AFTER your post, and as an apology with a small picture, not one that

takes up a whole screen to exploit the ad more. nor by a poster that continually snarks at feminist and womens issues.

[The Straight Story]

71. I posted the pic as it appeared at the source

I don't snark at the issues I snark at the response by some and what they see as issues that others obviously don't.

I posted this because it was an issue (also covered by nbc I might add) and a current news topic.

[boston bean]

78. Thanks for all your 'snark'... nt

[polly7]

81. Heh.

Guess somebody can't alert for 24 hrs.?

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service

At Sun Mar 24, 2013, 02:03 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Hate men much? So you think all men will like the ad. Seems sexist.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2559407

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

Nasty personal attack.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Mar 24, 2013, 02:12 PM, and the Jury voted 0-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Considering what he was accused of and is replying to, I see nothing at all wrong with this reply.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Nasty? I don't think so, I've seen far worse, perhaps the alerter is attempting to use a jury to silence someone?
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Word! Straight up, honest reply to someone who consistently disrupts DU with a nasty attitude. We should all remember that as DU'ers we are here because we believe there can be a healthier, better world, and we must work together to make that happen. If you don't believe your fellow men on DU are better than the average perverts out in Real World, then you need to remove yourself and take your quest to the streets. Seriously.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Didn't find it any nastier than the complainant's posts in the tread.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: This reply was not the lease bit inappropriate given the sexist post it is in response to. That posters agenda is obvious and would not be allowed if the positions were reversed.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Kingofalldems]

90. Juror #3 said it all

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. Maybe you should wait until an actual man says that he considers it cutsey and funny.

To me it is not, and I haven't heard anyone say that it is.

The preemptive attack is counterproductive. Maybe it is what it is, an example of bad cultural values embodied in an ad.

[seabeyond]

25. right. now we are all gonna pretend. gotcha. some one made the ad, correct?

[lumberjack_jeff]

31. A) I'm not pretending.

B) By "someone made the ad, correct?" are you suggesting that I made it? A DU'er made it? An american made it? What exactly about the ad justifies blaming every man on DU for it?

Stop with the broad brush. You're reacting to something that isn't there.

[seabeyond]

37. by saying men made the ad is that saying ALL men made the ad? like i say, stop pretending. nt

[Summer Hathaway]

102. For a handful of women here

there is no need to wait until a man actually says anything. They KNOW what all men think, what they do, how they react.

There is also no need for any man to state that he finds the ad in the OP NOT at all "cutsey (sic) and funny," because if he does, that contingent of women will accuse him of lying about his true feelings, while "pretending" to be concerned.

For some women, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't, because they've already determined that all men are sexists who enjoy seeing women demeaned at every opportunity.

Note that I said "some" women. I, unlike some women here, believe qualifiers like "some", "a few", "a handful", "a certain amount of" is important. Not all women are alike; not all men are alike - a concept that seems beyond the ken of "some women" here.

[seabeyond]

106. oh look. ANOTHER post talking about feminists and not actually discussing womens issue.

quelle surprise.

[Summer Hathaway]

120. And you were "discussing women's issues"

when you declared that the OP's motive was to "share a horrifying vile ad that men will think cutsey (sic) and funny"?

Not some men, or certain men, but "men". And please spare me the BS about how you need not qualify such declarations - you got caught, as you often do, lumping all men together as sexists who secretly enjoy seeing women demeaned and are merely "pretending" when they state otherwise.

I note that this same ad was posted in HoF - was the poster of that OP sharing it in order to be offensive? Why was her motive accepted as putting something out there to be discussed, while SS's motive was immediately deemed to be a desire to post something that "men will think cutsey (sic) and funny"?

I am not posting to "talk about feminists". I AM a feminist. What you refuse to accept, despite it being pointed out to you repeatedly on this board, is that your idea of feminism is not only NOT shared by real feminists, but is in fact seen as demonstrating the very sexism you decry.

Apparently, you believe that sexism towards women is heinous, while sexism towards men is not only acceptable, but should be engaged in whenever possible.

[bluedigger]

29. Your presumption as to our reaction is vile and sexist.

I really expect better of you.

[seabeyond]

38. ya. really. you are the victim. thanks for playing. nt

[bluedigger]

39. It really is just a game for you, isn't it?

You say that too often not to mean it.

[seabeyond]

45. no. it really isnt a fuckin game to watch men degrade, demean, pornify women for mens entertainment

all fuckin day long. trust me. no game. not funny. not entertaining. not amusing. and not a chuckle.

[Katashi_itto]

79. You after reading your various posts. Before, I could have cared less about the pic.

But now I like it. Not great art or anything, but it does annoy you. That's a plus.

I agree with ChisolmTrailDem every one of your posts you are bashing and hating on men.

Frankly anymore, I simply trash a number of the "cartoon feminist" threads that are constantly put out by a certain group, since they are more of the same.

It's tiresome listening how awful we are. You seem to have personal issues.

[Katashi_itto]

89. Gosh, now you pass judgement on what I did or didn't do for feminist causes.

You seriously need to get your personal issues resolved.

[seabeyond]

93. You told me you no longer support women. Your words.

Whereas you tell me, a stranger, I am a man hater and discuss my unknown personal issues.

Right

[Katashi_itto]

97. "You told me you no longer support women. Your words". Hmmm Where did I say that?

We can add delusional perhaps. You really read weird things into peoples statements. I said nothing about not supporting women.

My comments were directed at the small group/cult of self-proclaimed "feminists", that fringe group that seems to be a subset of regular feminists on DU.

Seriously go get help.

[Summer Hathaway]

134. It doesn't matter what you actually said

or what you actually think, or feel, or do something about.

What matters is that some women here (a vocal handful at best) KNOW your innermost thoughts, your motives, your true feelings - along with KNOWING any declaration by you to the contrary is pretense.

[Katashi_itto]

137. So very true! :)

[Summer Hathaway]

131. Seriously?

"oh noes. uze mean to men. not gonna be anti rape no mo."

Would you care to explain the kind of dialect or type of speech you are using? Who uses terms like "uze mean" and "no mo"?

Would that be all men who speak like that? Or just certain men of a particular race or ethnicity?

[Floyd_Gondolli]

139. Wow

[Apophis]

152. What a sexist remark.

If I were to say "women are gold diggers," what would that mean to you? To me, it says the same thing as "all women are gold diggers."

I'm a man and don't find this ad cutsey or funny at all.

[Scuba]

3. Disgusting. Not cute or funny in any way.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. This is the worst ad ever, or at least that I have seen.

Not funny.

Not appropriate.

Demeaning to women.

Disgusting.



And is Ford's motto really: Go Further?

[Iris]

16. The only way it could be worse is if it was photographed instead of a cartoon.

Awful

[Donald Ian Rankin]

6. Nope, Dolce and Gabana is still worse. N.T.

[LittleBlue]

19. This is the most accurate depiction of Berlusconi ever

If you've read about the way he acts, this could be a political satire cartoon.

[Cleita]

20. I thought it was pretty funny myself.

It's saying that the only way he can get women to his bunga bunga parties is by tying them up and kidnapping them.

[Summer Hathaway]

108. That was my immediate reaction as well

which led me to wonder exactly who this ad was meant to appeal to.

"If you are also a man who can't get a woman unless you kidnap her, tie her up, and throw her in the back of your car, THIS is the car for YOU!!!"

Exactly who would go out and buy a car based on THAT sales pitch?

[Cleita]

119. It was a stupid sales pitch. I don't think it will sell a whole lot of cars.

I think who ever brainstormed it, needs to get out of the ad business.

[Summer Hathaway]

121. ...

When your ad agency is trying to appeal to men who see themselves as unable to attract women without resorting to force, it's time to look elsewhere for marketing strategies that will actually move your product.

[LittleBlue]

122. There is a cult of personality for Berlusconi

In the west, because our politicians tend toward squeaky-clean behavior, personalities like Berlusconi and Putin gather followings of people willing to overlook their outrageous (and illegal) behavior. The cults perceive these men as "mavericks", their don't-give-a-fuck attitudes as something to be admired.

All I can think is that they were tapping into this "haha look at what Berlu did this time!" cult, not realizing how disturbing it is to see abducted women bound and crying. The ad agency is hopefully conducting an inquest into how this could have happened.

[Summer Hathaway]

127. I understand that this type of ad

might appeal to a certain group of men (based on what you've said above, which I think is true).

What I find fascinating is that any company looking to sell their product would choose ads that appeal to a small sector of consumers, rather than more broadly appealing to as many consumers as possible.

[LittleBlue]

130. Yes. It is truly mind-boggling that they would taint the product

this way. Now when Indian women see Fords, there will be an involuntary mental image of women bound in trunks. Talk about backfiring.

[Summer Hathaway]

132. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.

When the husband and I watch TV commercials these days, we almost invariably say, "And THIS makes me want to buy your product in WHAT WAY?"

This seems to be the case with everything from cough drops to computers to spaghetti sauce.

Seems like too many marketing/advertizing firms are busy watching "Mad Men" instead of actually coming up with ads that SELL product.

[AsahinaKimi]

24. Ford Apologizes for Offensive ‘Berlusconi’ Figo Ads

A print ad used to promote the Ford Figo compact car in India is causing controversy among people who say it is offensive, distasteful and misogynistic. Indeed, the pitch has drawn so much fire that Ford Motor Co. has apologized for it.

The ad features a caricature of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the wheel of a Figo with three women bound and gagged in the car’s cargo bay. The Figo is known for its luggage capacity and Ford’s tagline for the car is, “Leave your worries behind with Figo’s extra-large boot.”

“We deeply regret this incident and agree with our agency partners that it should have never happened,” Ford said in a statement. “The posters are contrary to the standards of professionalism and decency within Ford and our agency partners.”

The Berlusconi ad is one in a trio of similarly styled ads that serve as examples of how advertising can approach, push, and violate the limits of public acceptance.

more..http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2013/03/23/ford-apologizes-for-offensive-berlusconi-figo-ads/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_Autos_Driversseat

[arcane1]

27. What the... What?? How many people had to OK this??

*speechless*

[CrispyQ]

59. That's exactly what I asked in my letter to them:

What were your marketing & leadership teams thinking that an ad depicting hog-tied women being abducted is appropriate?

[LittleBlue]

30. This was just one of 3 ads, here are the others

Paris Hilton driving the Kardashians



No idea. They look like popular Formula 1 drivers.

[Whisp]

43. yah, notice the nascar guys peckers are all hanging out. n/t

[seabeyond]

47. i was thinking just that. cause i am sure they will say, see, they do it to both genders. and the

gags are not quite consistent either

[HiPointDem]

64. they're all vile.

[lumberjack_jeff]

95. The one with the race car drivers might have been funny, I knew who the drivers were. n/t

[HiPointDem]

99. i don't think pictures of bound and gagged people are funny, whether they're

women or men.

[Whisp]

42. This is a hurtful and bullshit OP

There is no way he would find a story humiliating Jews, Black people or Gays and get away with it like this.

Women are fair game for shit like this, all over.

and pretending this is a legitimate 'discussion' he wants instead of the lighter fluid most of us know he always has handy.

garbage! I alerted but of course 'the community' thinks this is fine and dandy! I am sure he is happy dancing now.

[seabeyond]

50. yes. i am hearing the little high pitched giggles all around. oh oh oh, wait, really, lets pretend

this is really about male outrage at a vile sexist ad that was created for MEN.

[GP6971]

88. Someone alerted

Seabeyond's first post. Jury voted 4 to 2 to leave it alone.

[Summer Hathaway]

101. Had this ad been aimed at

humiliating Jews, blacks or gays, it would certainly have been posted here, and people would discuss their reactions to it and why they find it offensive.

Those kinds of things are posted here regularly as an invitation to discuss, share opinions, and even prompt emails/letters to the offending advertiser stating one's angry reaction in no uncertain terms.

But when someone posts anything that might be offensive to women, the poster's motive is ALWAYS (according to a certain contingent) an attempt to demean women, and is merely "pretending this is a legitimate 'discussion' he wants instead of the lighter fluid most of us know he always has handy."

Not only does that certain contingent have the ability to KNOW what is in a poster's mind, to KNOW what his motive is, and to KNOW when he is "pretending" something or not, they claim to KNOW those things because "men" are all alike.

It's highly amusing to watch a handful of women constantly railing about sexism, about men seeing women as a group and not as individuals, about the way "men" treat women - while engaging in all of the above when they talk about "men".

[Whisp]

142. feh.

[opiate69]

144. Oh, well.. that settles it, then. Such a cogent and compelling rebuttal.

[Whisp]

146. yep. settled.

[opiate69]

148. good.. let`s seal it with a Caucasian, Gary!

[Summer Hathaway]

149. Just the kind of

insightful and intelligent reply I've come to expect from you. And you never disappoint.

[CrispyQ]

57. It may not have aired here, but I still wrote to Ford USA.

I could not find an email address.

Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126

They need to be called out on this disgusting shit, apology or no apology. My letter is printed, signed & ready to mail.

[ljm2002]

65. Well one thing I can say for this ad...

...it has convinced me that I will never, ever, buy a Ford. This is beyond the pale, it really is.

And people still wonder about "rape culture" and whether or not it exists.

Here it is in all its ugliness. And the fact that it was made for the Indian market just makes it worse, considering all of the rape stories coming out of India these days.

Rape culture exists, and it exists globally. This is just a particularly blatant example. Think about it: a highly paid ad agency actually came up with this idea. Their counterparts within Ford actually approved it. The ad agency then actually created the ad, Ford actually paid for it and submitted it to be run, and publishers actually agreed to run it and were paid to do so. IOW this is no anomaly, this is symptomatic of the kind of thinking that giggles at rape, that thinks Berloscuni was just being a manly man when he had his sex parties with (sometimes underage) prostitutes.

They can apologize until they are all blue in the face, it will not erase what they did with this ad.

Women should boycott Ford products. I will certainly do so.

[seabeyond]

66. i have always admired ford in cutomer relations, though not bought their product again until recentl

what ford needs to do is run a woman positive, feminist approved, women empowered ad stating clearly they will never never allow this kind of misogyny in their company again. that they will make a clear and loud statement this is unacceptable always, and they are shamed, that their name was on this ad.

then, they atone.

[opiate69]

86. Edited to remove unnecessary snark..

Last edited Sun Mar 24, 2013, 07:21 PM - Edit history (1)

[ljm2002]

114. Sorry...

...really. It was such an outrageous ad that I did not read further. If it was not run and Ford did not approve it, then good! No boycott here. My mistake and thank you for pointing it out.

[opiate69]

116. All good.. sorry for any excessive snark... I think I`ll go edit

[lumberjack_jeff]

94. You missed this part

Ford did not approve the ads; the agency was just publishing some speculative renderings to show off its creative chops. JWT India is Ford's agency for the Figo in that country.

[ljm2002]

115. Yes I missed that...

...my mistake. Thank goodness! I am happy to know that Ford had enough sense not to run these ads.

[derby378]

67. A long time ago, I saw a picture of this British billboard...

...with an ad for a little urban coupe from Peugeot or Renault or someone that said, "If this car were a lady, it would get its bottom pinched." Someone vandalized the billboard with this graffiti: "If this lady were a car she would mow you down."

I think that sums it up nicely.

[Rex]

70. What the fuck was Ford thinking?

I guess they were tired of having customers and wanted a challenge.

I hope they lose business over this, because THAT is unacceptable.

"Leave Your Worries Behind"!?!?!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

73. no more Ford products in my future. and the concept person for this ad ---

needs some education, at the very least. also Silvio, go away. you jerk.

[lumberjack_jeff]

92. You missed this part

Ford did not approve the ads; the agency was just publishing some speculative renderings to show off its creative chops. JWT India is Ford's agency for the Figo in that country.

[GP6971]

96. Hopefully

Ford will fire that agency

[Tuesday Afternoon]

104. yes. who needs that kind of creative energy on board?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

123. that they were stupid enough to let this get out is enough to convince me that I don't need their

products.

[polly7]

75. Ummmmmm ........ yeah. Major fail for Ford.

Time to fire the person / people who created that POS ad.

I really dislike the shape of that car, too.

edited to add: Thanks! for posting this though, I never would have seen it otherwise.

[lumberjack_jeff]

98. FORD DIDN'T CREATE, APPROVE, PUBLISH OR PAY FOR THE AD.

THERE'S NO REASON TO BOYCOTT FORD.

Ford and its ad agency issued apologies for a tasteless Ford Figo ad — in which former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi is shown with a bunch of gagged and crying women in the trunk of his car — that was never meant to see the light of day.
It turns out a young creative team at JWT India, Ford Figo's agency of record, made the spot and posted it to website Ads of the World without approval. (It has since been removed.)
Even though the ad never ran in paid media, once something's on the internet, the damage has been done.
WPP Group, which holds JWT, told Business Insider:
"We deeply regret the publishing of posters that were distasteful and contrary to the standards of professionalism and decency within WPP Group. These were never intended for paid publication and should never have been created, let alone uploaded to the internet. This was the result of individuals acting without proper oversight and appropriate actions have been taken within the agency where they work to deal with the situation.”

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ford-wpp-apologizes-for-offensive-car-ad-2013-3#ixzz2OUwohR7G

[opiate69]

100. Come now, jeff... there be a war on behalf of social justice to wage!

Facts be damned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[seabeyond]

103. pretty fuckin disgusting opiate. they DID make it on the net. they DO reinforce the fuckin garbage

and trash that so many insist we all live with. so you can put up another cutsey offensive post in all your self righteousness.

ya ya ya. i know. i am that mean ole man hater.

[opiate69]

118. Hey.. I would never call you a misandrist.. I`ve seen your concern for men and boys...

But damn.. if you`re gonna get pissed, at least focus the fire in the right direction.

[d_b]

128. hahahahaha

[maddezmom]

133. Thank you

I am a Ford driver and I think people need to read the links before overreacting.

[Rex]

150. It was a test of creative chops at Figo.

It says it right here;

"Ford did not approve the ads; the agency was just publishing some speculative renderings to show off its creative chops. JWT India is Ford's agency for the Figo in that country."

They showed off their creative shops. Without proper oversight. NSFW.

To say Ford did not pay for the ad, well yes in that part of the world they did.

[nomorenomore08]

105. Aw, jeez... *shakes head*

nt

[Warren DeMontague]

111. That is a pretty bad ad.

I pretty much stick to Japanese cars anyway but that's a bad ad.

[Taverner]

112. Look - for once, art mirrors life...

This is the reality most women face

Let it be...

[redqueen]

125. No, it isn't. It's glorified.

The women are depicted as caricatures of sexuality.

If the women were terrified, and not hypersexualized, that would be realistic.

This? This is not reality.

[KoKo]

117. He's a Weird Bird...but Italians Love Him! what's NOT to love

a trunk full of Babes...he can get them at his "call" on a Dime!

What's not to like about Silvio.... Of course one could also watch the Godfather II on Netflix or other sites......

[KoKo]

124. Also could be "Corporate Machismo"...the BIG DICK get's the GIRLS

and that's Good for Ford? ya' think?

[backscatter712]

126. In the past, I've seen car trunk capacity measured in "bodies".

As in "Bob's 75 Chrysler is such a land yacht! It comes with a three-body trunk!"

A car with a three body trunk is necessary if you're doing wet work for the Sopranos.

[d_b]

129. k&r

good jimmie rustlin' thread

[MichiganVote]

135. Forgive me for bypassing the sexism theme--This is supposed to entice me to buy a Ford?

Ok a push up bra maybe-but a car????

And yes, Gentlemen, in the world of sensible women, this is a sexist ad.

[The Straight Story]

136. Yeah, it is stupid beyond belief

I can't see how this would get anyone to want to buy a car from them.

Now, on the other hand, I can see how it (much like PETA's ads) could generate a lot of publicity for Ford.

But not all publicity is good and makes people want to try your product.

Sadly, this thread on their stupid ad has went a little nuts.

[MichiganVote]

138. Agree.

[BainsBane]

147. He typically opts for young girls

as in under age. Therefore the ad is unrealistic.

[elleng]

151. 150 replies to this P.O.S???

DUers must REALLY be bored!