I was going to start this entry by saying "I don't believe I'm seeing this.." - but sadly, I do.
Todays issue of the Irish Times carries the story that:
"A controversial advertising campaign for Hunky Dorys crisps has been withdrawn after attracting over 300 complaints and a threat of legal action.
The campaign by Largo Foods featured women in revealing tops playing rugby under straplines such as “Are you staring at my crisps?”and “Tackle these”.
The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) said yesterday the company had accepted its request to pull the campaign because of the widespread criticism."
Christ Almighty.
The lunatics have finally been give the keys and the green light to take over the asylum. The PC Brigade have completely lost the run of themselves this time.
Before I go any further, I have nothing, repeat, nothing but the highest regard and respect for groups like the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. However, on this occasion, they are surely guilty of a massive overreaction to a bit of harmless fun. They claim, and I'm quoting here, that:
"the posters were sending out messages that may condone or have the effect of encouraging unsafe actions. They add to attitudes and behaviours that make Ireland a place where the casual and everyday sexual assault of women is permitted and unchallenged.”
Ah, lads. Isn't that going just a tad over the top?
They are posters advertising crisps, and using some mildly amusing cliches to do it.
No more, no less.
Are the RCNI seriously trying to argue that a poster, like the one above, is encouraging attacks on, or violence against women? Are they trying to tell us that an ad for Crisps has the potential to cause women to be endangered or intimidated?
Give me a break, will ya!
It's harmless fun. In fact the greatest danger of the posters, as I see it, is that a poor old gobshite like me might crash his little motorin' car, as a result of being distracted by the sight of 'yer wan' in her little t-shirt that's too small for my daughter!
OK, time for another quote.. The National Women’s Council described the ads as..
"depressing because of the fact that the company would get masses of publicity from the controversy they created."
And who, my dear NWC, are giving them that publicity? You are.
Now, I know there were complaints, but bear with me here..
The Advertising Standards people have told us that they got 'over 300' complaints against the posters.
Hello?
There are four million people in Ireland. 300 complaints represents, (are you ready for this?).. point zero zero seven per cent of the population!
Oh yeah, that's RAKES of complaints. NOT!
Doesn't it start to look as if there's been just a tiny little storm in a tiny little teacup here?
Shouldn't we have more to bother us, when our arses are to the wall and we are trying to drag our great little Country back from the edge of the cliff and get people working and smiling and going about their business with confidence once more?
According to the Irish Times,
" Largo Foods could not be reached for comment last night, but previously chief executive Raymond Coyle rejected the allegations of sexism and claimed the company just wanted to inject a little bit of fun into things."
Well said, Sir.
Mind you, there's no such thing as bad publicity. The campaign, apparently, cost Largo around €500,000 to put together. That's a lot of crisps. However, the amount of 'free' advertising the company has won on radio (Today FM, Newstalk, 96FM, RTE, etc.. etc.. - they've ALL devoted rakes of time to it in the past week), would have cost a hell of a lost more, if they had to pay for the airtime!
Largo might be taking down their posters, but, make no mistake about it, they're laughing their little heads off as they do.
So am I.
It never ceases to amuse me how the PC Police can get their knickers in a knot over nothing.
..(sits back and waits for reaction to the mention of knickers !!!)
