In this society in which we live, over the years we have become accustom to a racy and risqué culture that feels that it is all right to take advertising to the next level, but who decides when a company goes too far in taking this parallel to new heights? Some people just like to complain, moan, and nag. Recently, the L.A.Times, The Huffington Post and the New York Daily News wrote about the ever so racy commercial that so many people are complaining about,...you know the one (Joe Boxer)...but what I have to ask is....WHY? Why are people stirring up trouble, why are they so opposed and outraged over this? I was enlightened to read the various posts.
For years and years women have marched around strutting their stuff up and down the runways in seductive, (sometimes) skimpy and nevertheless in my speculation; oh-so-sexy lingerie ( primarily wearing bras and panties.) I wouldn't think that very many people would create controversy over this because so many people love it! Men go crazy over it and women run to the stores, and shop at online lingerie boutiques to buy it... So why then, tell me is Kmart taking so much heat for publishing and promoting this 'Joe Boxer' commercial? In reality, it is fun and playful.
This morning at 7:30 am I was awakened by my 70 year old mother whose primary reason for the 'early morning wake-up call' was to ask me if I would please get on line and find out where that cute 'Joe Boxer' commercial disappeared to? She stated "It's about time we see men in their britches in somewhat sexy commercials!" This coming from my mom who was totally in the dark over lingerie and had a different attitude until her oldest daughter came home one day and said that she decided to follow a dream where it was all or nothing and launched two women's intimate apparel online boutiques; Simply Delicious Lingerie and Simply Luscious Lingerie.
My folks didn't always think this was the best market for me to get into but over the past 5 years I have proven them wrong and I've shown them that lingerie is not dirty, or scandalous as they presumed due to ads, hearsay or speculation. I've shown them that it is an everyday sensual delicacy and that women who wear it are confident with themselves. I've always stated that your underwear that you put on in the morning should make a statement. If you feel sexy your attitude certainly shows it. I repeat myself over and over here but as Shakira states in her song "Underneath Your Clothes" there's an endless story..." this is so true! What you wear is a narrative to your own personality and I believe that it very much begins with your intimate apparel. It has nothing to do with conflict, for it is what every one chooses their own style to be. Your style, much that like a cliff note in a book define who you are. You're intimates tell a story more less and they bring out ones individuality per-say.
Lingerie whether it be designed for men or for women comes in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles. Lingerie boutiques sell a large assortment of undergarments that are eye-catching, nonetheless provocative. Most pieces are not meant to be obscene or indecent in any way. They are made to be tantalizing, and teasing. Great designers promote sophisticated apparel which attributes to a man or women's charisma so to speak.
Men wear underwear, and women love men in boxers. These men (the 'Joe Boxer' guys) are not half-naked, or in thongs or g-strings. These guys are in tuxedos and boxer shorts. They are not dirty or shameful. They are advertising in a tasteful manner in my viewpoint. Its all in good fun. For decades men and women both have modeled intimate apparel. Athletes, celebrities and models are painted on buildings, and cover buses, billboards, etc. I don't think that there is anything whatsoever wrong with this advertisement/commercial that people are so upset over. Victoria Secret stepped up and ran a commercial in the Superbowl in 1999 and again recently. It is ranking amongst the top 12 best commercials in the history of this event. I'm talking about women in underwear during prime time television when families are watching the biggest game of the year. Did they catch crap? Perhaps, but that sure hasn't stopped them from advertising what sells and it certainly has not stopped customers from flocking their stores and spending money. Whether it be men or women in these commercials, Kmart or Victoria Secret, or anyone else who has marketed a terrific advertisement or commercial, my opinion stays the same; I find nothing wrong with these ads, nor do most men and women that I know who view them. Why is it so wrong now for kids or families to see the boys in their boxers via Kmart doing absolutely nothing wrong? Sexual? Pleaseeeee.
Instead of these critics making a big thing out of nothing that was meant to be 'cute' they didn't defuse the issue, what they have done is they've driven in more business and have most definitely increased sales by shopping at these stores. Sure Kmart has to deal with this negative publicity from people who are looking to make trouble with these adorable men shaking their holiday jingle bells in their 'Joe Boxers.' What 'haters' as I like to call them didn't realize was that all this negative talk and outrage generally has a way of turning around and getting even more attention. Today, this commercial has invoked a 13,000,000+ 'number of hits' on YouTube striking it one of the quickest spreading public viral ads and it is still being viewed regularly on a daily basis. While many say 'show your joe' is tasteless, I think that people have really over-reacted on this one and need to take a chill pill. I say kudos to K-Mart and their fabulous creative advertising and marketing team on a job well done.
For years and years women have marched around strutting their stuff up and down the runways in seductive, (sometimes) skimpy and nevertheless in my speculation; oh-so-sexy lingerie ( primarily wearing bras and panties.) I wouldn't think that very many people would create controversy over this because so many people love it! Men go crazy over it and women run to the stores, and shop at online lingerie boutiques to buy it... So why then, tell me is Kmart taking so much heat for publishing and promoting this 'Joe Boxer' commercial? In reality, it is fun and playful.
This morning at 7:30 am I was awakened by my 70 year old mother whose primary reason for the 'early morning wake-up call' was to ask me if I would please get on line and find out where that cute 'Joe Boxer' commercial disappeared to? She stated "It's about time we see men in their britches in somewhat sexy commercials!" This coming from my mom who was totally in the dark over lingerie and had a different attitude until her oldest daughter came home one day and said that she decided to follow a dream where it was all or nothing and launched two women's intimate apparel online boutiques; Simply Delicious Lingerie and Simply Luscious Lingerie.
My folks didn't always think this was the best market for me to get into but over the past 5 years I have proven them wrong and I've shown them that lingerie is not dirty, or scandalous as they presumed due to ads, hearsay or speculation. I've shown them that it is an everyday sensual delicacy and that women who wear it are confident with themselves. I've always stated that your underwear that you put on in the morning should make a statement. If you feel sexy your attitude certainly shows it. I repeat myself over and over here but as Shakira states in her song "Underneath Your Clothes" there's an endless story..." this is so true! What you wear is a narrative to your own personality and I believe that it very much begins with your intimate apparel. It has nothing to do with conflict, for it is what every one chooses their own style to be. Your style, much that like a cliff note in a book define who you are. You're intimates tell a story more less and they bring out ones individuality per-say.
Lingerie whether it be designed for men or for women comes in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles. Lingerie boutiques sell a large assortment of undergarments that are eye-catching, nonetheless provocative. Most pieces are not meant to be obscene or indecent in any way. They are made to be tantalizing, and teasing. Great designers promote sophisticated apparel which attributes to a man or women's charisma so to speak.
Men wear underwear, and women love men in boxers. These men (the 'Joe Boxer' guys) are not half-naked, or in thongs or g-strings. These guys are in tuxedos and boxer shorts. They are not dirty or shameful. They are advertising in a tasteful manner in my viewpoint. Its all in good fun. For decades men and women both have modeled intimate apparel. Athletes, celebrities and models are painted on buildings, and cover buses, billboards, etc. I don't think that there is anything whatsoever wrong with this advertisement/commercial that people are so upset over. Victoria Secret stepped up and ran a commercial in the Superbowl in 1999 and again recently. It is ranking amongst the top 12 best commercials in the history of this event. I'm talking about women in underwear during prime time television when families are watching the biggest game of the year. Did they catch crap? Perhaps, but that sure hasn't stopped them from advertising what sells and it certainly has not stopped customers from flocking their stores and spending money. Whether it be men or women in these commercials, Kmart or Victoria Secret, or anyone else who has marketed a terrific advertisement or commercial, my opinion stays the same; I find nothing wrong with these ads, nor do most men and women that I know who view them. Why is it so wrong now for kids or families to see the boys in their boxers via Kmart doing absolutely nothing wrong? Sexual? Pleaseeeee.
Instead of these critics making a big thing out of nothing that was meant to be 'cute' they didn't defuse the issue, what they have done is they've driven in more business and have most definitely increased sales by shopping at these stores. Sure Kmart has to deal with this negative publicity from people who are looking to make trouble with these adorable men shaking their holiday jingle bells in their 'Joe Boxers.' What 'haters' as I like to call them didn't realize was that all this negative talk and outrage generally has a way of turning around and getting even more attention. Today, this commercial has invoked a 13,000,000+ 'number of hits' on YouTube striking it one of the quickest spreading public viral ads and it is still being viewed regularly on a daily basis. While many say 'show your joe' is tasteless, I think that people have really over-reacted on this one and need to take a chill pill. I say kudos to K-Mart and their fabulous creative advertising and marketing team on a job well done.
I love this article Ms Michele! Kudos to you for standing behind these companies that along with yourself feel that there is nothing wrong with what they do/did. This commercial like so many others was done with taste and people just need to get off their soap box!
ReplyDeleteCathy R
Memphis TN
Your mum sounds delightful Miss Michele. She must feel close to you to ring you and ask you where these hunky men disappeared to? Truly enjoy the good reads as usual. Keep up the good work my lady!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Katherine S
Manchester England