A new bill submitted to the Knesset in Israel suggests that the use of underweight models and digitally altered images in advertising should be against the law.

In a Dec. 22 article on haaretz.com, writers Jonathan Lis and Shira Ben-Simon reported on the effort:

According to the bill, drafted by MK Rachel Adatto (Kadima) and MK Danny Danon (Likud), the chairman of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, advertising agencies would be banned from hiring underweight female and male models ...

The bill also stipulates that advertising agencies should not be able to use digital imaging software, such as the widely-used Photoshop software, to narrow the waists of models in advertising campaigns.

"Eating disorders, including anorexia, have been on the rise in Israeli society, especially among young girls," the introduction to the bill stated.

Labels: causes of eating disorders, advertising

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According to a Nov. 6 Chicago Tribune article by Patti Ahern, Doves Campaign for Real Beauty is continuing with two new ads that are designed to promote healthy body image and encourage productive parent-child communication:

Seventy percent of girls ages 8 to 17 believe they are not thin or pretty enough, according to a study commissioned in 2008 by the beauty brand Dove. That message is reinforced by the more than 77,000 commercials -- many featuring women airbrushed or otherwise edited to perfection -- by the time girls are 12 years old, the study found.

New ads by Dove called "Under Pressure" and "Onslaught" are aimed at counteracting some of those messages. &

The ads were designed as part of the Dove Self Esteem Fund, which helps educate young girls about a wider definition of beauty, said Kathy O'Brien, Dove's marketing director.

"We know girls today are under more pressure than ever as the onslaught of messages and images they constantly receive sets an unrealistic standard of beauty. As a result, too many girls are suffering from low self-esteem and developing hang-ups about their looks," O'Brien said.

Labels: body image, advertising

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The British Fashion Council this week called for magazines and advertisers to voluntarily reduce or eliminate the number of airbrushed and digitally enhanced photos they produce for release to the general public. The push came after the council concluded that such manipulated images of fashion models and entertainment stars "perpetuate an unachievable aesthetic".

"It is a tragedy that young women may be starving themselves to match a body shape that exists only on a computer screen. It's too soon to see if editors and art directors will be able to wean themselves away from their airbrushes, but for most the decision may come down to economics."

A magazine's goal is to sell copies, and advertising is meant to sell products. If editors believe either bottom line will be hurt by the use of more "realistic" images, changes aren't likely.

Labels: media_influences, advertising, marketing

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Pretzel Crisps are gaining popularity. The light, pretzel-like snacks are lower in salt, fat and calories, making them a good choice for people who are trying to be healthy. Unfortunately, in its attempt to build market share, Pretzel Crisps maker Snack Factory released a controversial ad campaign -- and a "replacement" that wasn't much better than the original one.

"You can never be too thin" [the ad] reads. Well, one quick Google search and we could find you at least one hundred or so people who are – and hundreds of people have taken to telling the crisp company exactly that by defacing its ads with "actually, you can" and other things that are far too naughty to print on here.” [Source: My Fashion Life]

The company got the hint and changed the ad. Snack Factory Vice President of Marketing Perry Abbenante issued an apology, saying the company didn’t intend to advocate unhealthy weight loss.

Unfortunately, the company’s second advertising attempt wasn’t much better. The new slogan? “Tastes as good as skinny feels.” Complaints are already pouring in.

 

Labels: advertising, pro-ana

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment