Campaign India Team
Mar 01, 2020

Creative Critique through the gender lens: Ad reviews 24-28 February

Dr AL Sharada, director, Population First, reviews a selection of ads from last week

Dr Sharada
Dr Sharada
Slice       

An analysis of ads showing women reveal that typically a woman is shown in a sexualised context as follows:
 
•        Touching self
•        Caressing an object
•        Lying on the floor
•        Sitting on a bed or chair
•        Eyes closed
•        Not alert
•        Confused
•        Vulnerable
•        Body contorted
•        Dressed like a child
•        Holding an object or a man for support
•        Sexy and sexually available
•        Seductive
•        Playful
•        Careless
 
Can we get a more stereotypical ad than this? Tick the boxes and check for yourself.
 
GS Score 1/5
 
Whisper

Absenteeism in schools and workplaces due to problems associated with periods is a well -known phenomenon. It is also a fact that many girls drop out of school after puberty because of poor hygiene and sanitation facilities in school and lack of good hygiene products to manage the menstrual flow. Whisper campaign is definitely making a difference to the lives of all the girls it is reaching out to.
 
The ad has a feel-good look to it with lilting background score and the girls being portrayed as playful, fun-loving, energetic and full of positivity. The stress and tension on the faces of some of the girls going through menstruation is heart touching. We need to see more such positive images of girls in the public domain to increase the visibility of girls and highlight their space in society.
 
GS Score 4/5
 
CenturyPly
 
 
I wish the content creators get a little more creative…cheating husband, jealous ‘unattractive’ wife, cricket playing naughty boy, newspaper reading grand father – the picture of a stereotypical family is complete.
 
GS Score 2/5
 
Star Sports
 
Sports= men and boys= crazy??? 2/5
 
NPCI (Multiple films)
 
 
Good to see a woman giving professional advice on using UPI for better and safer market transactions. However, the stereotyping in the stories could have been avoided.
 
GS Score : 3.5/5
Source:
Campaign India

Related Articles

Just Published

4 hours ago

Itch you can’t ignore: Sebamed scratches at the truth

Its latest campaign takes a cheeky swipe at anti-dandruff clichés, spotlighting how itch—not just flakes—disrupts everyday moments.

8 hours ago

Not every Cannes Lion roars in real life

Amid Cannes backlash, a creative reckoning unfolds. Famous Innovations’ founder and chief creative officer wonders, where do bold ideas end and brand accountability begin in awards season?

10 hours ago

Cannes Lions tightens reins as AI blurs boundaries

After revoked wins and synthetic scandals, Cannes Lions introduces new integrity rules to verify claims and rein in AI misuse.

11 hours ago

Cultural ‘Tadka’ drives India’s most effective ads ...

Kantar’s Creative Effectiveness Awards show that when brands serve emotion with local flavour, consumers don’t just notice—they respond.