Ford Apologizes for Offensive ‘Berlusconi’ Figo Ads

[AsahinaKimi]

A print ad used to promote the Ford Figo compact car in India is causing controversy among people who say it is offensive, distasteful and misogynistic. Indeed, the pitch has drawn so much fire that Ford Motor Co. has apologized for it.

The ad features a caricature of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the wheel of a Figo with three women bound and gagged in the car’s cargo bay. The Figo is known for its luggage capacity and Ford’s tagline for the car is, “Leave your worries behind with Figo’s extra-large boot.”

“We deeply regret this incident and agree with our agency partners that it should have never happened,” Ford said in a statement. “The posters are contrary to the standards of professionalism and decency within Ford and our agency partners.”

The Berlusconi ad is one in a trio of similarly styled ads that serve as examples of how advertising can approach, push, and violate the limits of public acceptance.

more..http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2013/03/23/ford-apologizes-for-offensive-berlusconi-figo-ads/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_Autos_Driversseat

[seabeyond]

1. ya? not cutting it. i am taking this vile picture into my ford company monday.

we bought two cars from them. and i am getting owner/manager and asking him in what world would they think that this was even marginally acceptable.

they are not getting away with a gentle, .... sorry.

[AsahinaKimi]

2. Should i post this in

GD or what..do you think? I have already posted it in the other Feminist group.

[seabeyond]

4. ya, you got two going, i see that. thanks. straight story has a thread on it. you can post this,

the apology in his thread. i wouldnt start a new thread. i swear he did it more for the offenisveness of the ad to shit stir. but, that is just an opinion.

[AsahinaKimi]

6. Do you have a link to his thread?

or if you want you can post it there.. since you probably were commenting ..up to you.

[seabeyond]

7. nah. the way i addressed it

really does not go with me being nice putting in the apology, lol. you, it works.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2559356

[AsahinaKimi]

8. Okay I did..

I can't believe that one person thought it was funny. Meh.

[seabeyond]

9. a whole lot more than one, seeing how it was created. i have to assume the one that thought it great

political satire did too

but, we will have a big old thread about how offensive it is now. and pretend that there are not men that do not think this is the niftiest next to slice bread.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

11. I am still reccing this thread for the information contained and the discussion it is generating.

thanks all

[Whisp]

12. I share that opinion.

By past performance it is highly unlikely that post was made for 'discussion' but rather for shits and giggles of the MRA kind.

not saying he IS. just saying there is a fair amount of MRA shit here, and maybe some of them are too dumb to even realize that.

[jonthebru]

14. The person selling you that car in the US has nothing to do with this ad.

Considering it is in India with the rash of gang rapes it is disgusting, but don't get carried away, This ad was not created or vetted by a sales manager in America or any where else, not even India. It was stupidly created by an Ad firm that will soon be losing a large client.

[seabeyond]

15. their name is on that shirt. their name is on my car. hell ya, they are a part. it will be their

VOICE within THEIR org that i will get to call their corporate office. hell ya they are responsible. and companies had better understand. it affects THEIR name. i do not car if they were holding a pencil at the drawing board. and when companies quit thinking it does not affect them as a whole, then maybe they will make it LOUD and CLEAR they will not tolerate this pornification that is so disrespectful toward their female customer EVER, ever again. anywhere.

damn straight they are responsible.

[MH1]

3. Wow. You have to wonder who reviews and approves these concepts?

What the hell were they thinking?

[seabeyond]

5. they were thinking we live in a world that pornifies women. and this is perfectly ok. cause it is

all about using women to entertain men

[CrispyQ]

10. This is rape culture right here, in your face, for those who keep questioning what it is.

Who in their right mind, would even think this is an appropriate ad? Who?



The entire marketing team who came up with this & the leadership team who approved it should be fired. I am so goddamned fucking sick & tired of this goddamned fucking shit.

on edit: I cannot find an easy way to email them, but here's their address:

United States
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126

[sufrommich]

13. Sickening. Apparently Berlusconi's problem isn't

that he's an idiot asshole blowhard, it's women.

[ismnotwasm]

16. I saw that shit

Rapist creeper comedy.

[seabeyond]

17. made by men, for men, me calling it out makes me a god awful manhater. thrilling how that works. nt

[Helen Reddy]

18. The "F" letter car company does not stop at Ford.

Fiat and its so called "Topless" campaign is enough to run for the nearest vomitorium.

Ps. The women are gorgeous, the ads.....not so much