Dr AL Sharada
Apr 07, 2023

Creative critique from a gender lens: 27-31 March

Dr AL Sharada, director, Population First, reviews ads from last week on the basis of gender sensitivity

Creative critique from a gender lens: 27-31 March

What worked: 

 

Puma

Puma's ad conveys two important messages. One is the importance of sports for the happiness and well-being of people in general. Two, the importance of women's participation in sports is conveyed through the portrayal of girls and women in different sports. In a country where most girls stop participating in sports in their adolescence, we must give more visibility to women in sports to break the barriers to women pursuing sports.

 

Gender Sensitivity Score (GSS): 3.75/5

 

Ceat

The ad features a confident Harmanpreet Kaur expertly manoeuvring the potholed busy lane with much skill. The ad features a young woman role model and also breaks the common perception that women are not good drivers. 

 

GSS: 3.5/5

 

What did not work: 

 

NatureFresh

I find this ad problematic. It sets unrealistic expectations for mothers. While it is the responsibility of every parent to provide everything possible to their children to help them achieve their dreams, both living their dreams for them or forcing our dreams on them is wrong. Time we stop such portrayals which gaslight women.

 

GSS: 2.5/5

 

Lloyd

While the ad manages to give equal screen time and role to both celebrities, it remains within a gendered framework. Ranveer is shown sweating it out in the sun cleaning his car which he says is his 'jaan'- it reinforces the perception that men like to be in the sun, don't mind getting dirty and sweaty and that they love their vehicles. Whereas, Deepika is shown pulling up Ranveer for getting sweaty and dirty and trying to cool him by switching on the Lloyd AC while saying he is her 'Jaan'. Once again a female stereotype of a woman being well groomed, mothering the man and centring her emotions around him. 

 

GSS: 2.5/5

 

Dream11

Male-centric. By the men and for the men

 

GSS: 2.5/5 

 

Other films from the week:

 

Microsoft

Long and laboured

 

GSS: 2.75/5

 

Vivo

 

GSS: 2.75/5

 

TVS Eurogrip

 

GSS: 2.75/5 

 

Ceat

 

GSS: 2.75/5

 

Navratna Active Deo Talc

 

GSS: 2.5/5

 

Fevicol

GSS: 3/5

 

Fenesta

GSS: 3/5 

 

Thums Up

Macho Men!

 

GSS: 2.5/5

 

Araldite

GSS: 3/5

Source:
Campaign India

Related Articles

Just Published

2 hours ago

Toilet soaps dominate TV advertising in 2025: TAM AdEx

Hindustan Unilever and Reckitt remained the largest spenders, even as muted consumer demand saw FMCG companies tightening their ad budgets.

3 hours ago

Coca-Cola reignites AI ad debate with new holiday ...

A new version of the classic ‘Holidays Are Coming’ reinforces the brand’s commitment to generative tech and storytelling.

3 hours ago

The great escape? What they don’t tell you about ...

Life after the network machine: the highs, the headaches and the surprising truth about creative freedom.

3 hours ago

Lego Christmas ad spotlights power of play with ...

Because someone needs to tell the kids to ditch their tablets and phones in favour of playing with real, tactile toys.