Anti-gay ad?

UPDATE (30 July 08 - 4.30pm): Mars has announced the advert has been withdrawn from British television. Until now it has only been shown on UK TV and not broadcast in the US except for at the Superbowl. The UK's Advertising Standards Authority only received two complaints about it, but the ad was pulled anyway because of controversy in the US.

One of our Observers in Washington, blogger John Avarosis has alerted us to a seemingly homophobic advert from chocolate bar brand Snickers. This is the second time in 18 months that Snickers, who was forced to withdraw a gay-offensive ad last February, has faced criticism for homophobic advertising.

Released 10 July 08.

Snickers was originally in trouble for an advert that saw two mechanics accidentally kissing and being so revolted that they resorted to violent acts including drinking motor oil and attacking each other with a wrench. The campaign also featured famous baseball players grimacing at the kiss. With the ad aired at the Superbowl at the beginning of last year, Snickers set up a website where viewers could ‘pick the best ending'. This, along with the television campaign, was quickly withdrawn after gay and lesbian rights groups complained to the product's owners, Mars Masterfoods.

The advert was removed two days after being shown at the Superbowl, 3 February 08.

Comments

How is this homophobic?

Submitted by aclearbluesky on Wed, 30/07/2008 - 12:27.

I am a little confused on how these ads can be labeled homophobic. As for the one with the speedwalker: is every gayman speedwalking? Or is speeswalking a sign of being gay? Not as far as I know. If there would have been complaints by the international organisation for speedwalkers (it is, by the way, an Olympic sport), I would have understood. But by gay-rights organisations? Please. And the ad isn't even funny.

And as for the other one. I think that one is a bit funny. But again I fail to see how this is homophobic. It rather makes fun of homophobia, than that it advertises it. After accidentily kissing another guy, saying 'quick, do something manly' is stereotyping, and thus making fun of, insecure, homophobic guys. Since when is ripping out your chest hair seen as a manly thing to do?

Complaining about these ads, other than about the stupidity of them, is silly.

aclearbluesky

France

What a waste of Mr T! You

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 24/07/2008 - 20:56.

What a waste of Mr T! You can basically make any advert funny using him- why did they have to take a boring and insulting stereotype. This ad is not even very funny (well, maybe for Americans). Are they just trying to get attention?

Unregistered user

completely and utterly stupid

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 24/07/2008 - 17:52.

what a stupid, dumb ad.
if supposed to be funny, can't see how

Unregistered user

Mentality of Mars

Submitted by Dermot Hudson (not verified) on Thu, 24/07/2008 - 17:03.

What is wrong with Mars/Snickers ? Do they have no idea of what is offensive or are they just homophobic? I am a straight male (honest,lol.) and I find it blatently so.

Unregistered user