Monday, July 21, 2008

Why Ad Agencies Require Contingency Plans

As I was perusing this months issue of Cosmopolitan - a magazine I never read for this reason- I came across this lively little ad.
With an eye catching summer-ish apple green background and multi-coloured bubble letters in tangerine, this ad obviously is intended for a target group of 16-25's. Some critics suggest it is marketed for 18-24's, however we need to keep in mind the audience for Cosmo mags. Anyone who reached the age of 20 has long since given up on this magazine due to its repetitive and useless articles, not to mention commodification of women and sex - but THAT'S another post.
This has got to be one of THE most irresponsible advertisements I've seen marketed to the youth age group. Plan B?! How did this become so common? Got a hangover? Take an Advil. Got unprotected sex woes? Take Plan B! I'm so very concerned about the attention that is paid to after-sex damage control. Whatever happened to safer sex?
Putting aside the "pro-life" - "pro-choice" debates that surround the very availability of this product, let's examine realistically the incredibly flawed campaign principles. In a society enjoying an alarming increase in HIV/AIDS and other STD's, especially in the age group of 18-24's, how is it that we are now making available an "oops" post-coital anti-pregnancy drug?
Further - when did that become COOL?? Right here on this advertisement is a website: calling you to share your oops story. Not only is it cool that you can undo the oops we didn't have a condom deal, but now why don't we post these stories on a website, providing a false sense of security to those teens who read them. The last thing this society needs is to encourage reckless sexual behaviour.
Before I get any indignant comments, let me just add that I understand the necessity for some people to take advantage of this product. I understand the theories surrounding date rape, molestation and true accidental condom breaks. I understand that these products can definitely help people who truly need it. My problem lies with the advertising campaigns that try to make the morning after pill seem as innocuous as an aspirin or antacid. We should be spending more money education these young women about the FATAL side effects of unprotected sex, the by-products other than reproduction. In my opinion there are greater risks for a demographic motto of play-now/pill-later, other than a new generation of squealing infants. We in fact have a responsibility to the youth of today, to inform and prevent the spread of these horrific diseases over which they do have some control!
It is naive to push for abstinence. I understand that. What you don't know CAN hurt you, but in this instance, what you do know can too. Steer the youth of today away from a false sense of security after reading the share your oops. Teach them how to avoid them altogether.

2 comments:

t said...

What are they thinking?? I worked in the ad world for several years--this is about the most insane thing I've seen.

Kitty said...

amen sister