"Pregnant" women selling non-alcoholic beer
Categories: Media
Melissa Summers emailed about a new, uh, trend, I suppose, in some recent ad campaigns. This one is for a car maker called SEAT Aleta. The photo to your right is a resuIt of a non-alcoholic beer company's decision that "pregnant" women in bikinis are a great way to sell their product. I followed the links on that page, and read all the comments I could find. It would seem that most people are firmly in my camp; this is just. not. right. As one commenter stated, ". . . maybe she just has a deeply unfortunate beer belly." (And, be warned that some of the comments are perhaps PG-13 or R rated in their content.)So, let's see, where do I start with this? First off, I didn't notice that the ad was for a non-alcoholic beer until I read the comments and someone pointed that fact out. I thought she was hawking real, actual beer; you know, the stuff that can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Beyond that, even though it's an ad, I have a hard time with the fantasy involved here. Shawn Waite says on his blog that, "the photoshop work on these ads is insulting to graphic designers." It's also damaging to real pregnant women who despair because they don't look like that.
I understand that advertisers are selling fantasy, but I'm really tired of feeling inadequate every time I look at one, you know? And that's the kicker; even though I know this is fake and unrealistic and all, I can't help but see this photo and think, "Wow, I wish I could look like that pregnant. Or ever, really."
I think what I need is to go visit The Shape of a Mother, which Kristin wrote about awhile back. If you are clicking at work or aren't comfortable with nudity, please note that the site contains nude photos of women before, during and after pregnancy. Real women, with no photoshop for miles around.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ann adams 9-22-2006 @ 9:10AM
I never looked like that either.
Off topic slightly but I've heard that some of the non-alcoholic beer isn't completely.
I don't drink and my pregnancy days have long passed but if I did and they weren't I'd be very careful with this stuff.
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thordora 9-22-2006 @ 9:58AM
That's one of the most repulsive ads I've ever seen.
I will never look like that, but it reminds me of the HUGE beer craving I had when pregnant the first time. That beer a week after I gave birth was hands down the BEST beer ever.
A picture of a tired mom enjoying half a pint would be a bigger selling point for me. This is just icky.
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Kate 9-22-2006 @ 10:18AM
WHAT? This picture is great! Right alongside the photo are the words "non-alcoholic." Besides the refreshing creativity behind this ad is the plus that it discourages alcohol consumption while preggers.
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Raquel 9-22-2006 @ 10:23AM
Now, why are you all so focused on the fact that "you'll never look like that pregnant?" This advertisement is not designed to make you feel rosy about yourselves. While many women will not look this way pregnant, many while (my sister-in-law, for instance). And I don't get how it even matters whether this is a reflection of pregnant bodies. Those people run a business, and thus their goal is to make a profit via successful marketing, NOT to promote positive self-image.
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kate 9-22-2006 @ 10:50AM
thank you Raquel!!!! I totally agree
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Laura 9-22-2006 @ 11:18AM
I agree with Kate and Raquel. From a marketing standpoint, it's a great ad. And, gee, what's the purpose of advertising? To market something!
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thordora 9-22-2006 @ 12:26PM
Why exactly is this a great ad?
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Raquel 9-22-2006 @ 12:52PM
Thordora-
It is a great ad because we're discussing it! Mission accomplished! A tamer ad would not have made it onto this blog, or any other, and would therefore be seen by less people. What other reason must there be?
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thordora 9-22-2006 @ 1:33PM
Great! We're discussing it in a negative light (for the most part) and many would never purchase the product because of the ad itself.
i don't find that to be of any value to the company personally.
yes, a tamer ad wouldn't have been all over the net. But to judge it a great ad because people are talking about it? I have my doubts. A great ad makes you want to product.
But thanks for answering my question. :)
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Sharon 9-22-2006 @ 1:44PM
Ugh - I don't even like the taste of alcohol, only how it makes me feel! I would never waste my time with phony beer, so this wouldn't have made me want to have one when I was pregnant.
Guess this ad is getting the attention it wants, though.
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VL 9-22-2006 @ 4:00PM
yuck. Just yuck. I thought the point of advertising was to actually sell the product. This is one product I will be adding to my boycott list.
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Cara 12-16-2006 @ 11:56AM
I think it's kind of cool. I'm not pregnant & I never had a child though, when I do maybe I'd think differently, but I doubt it. My body does not look like the non pregnant models who advertise everything else & I don't boycott their products. Lets face it, nobody looks perfect unless airbrushed. I'm diggin the ads. I think they're cute.
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