Gross Advertising Misconduct

I saw something on tv tonight that I was completely astounded at...and I don't mean that in any positive sense.

During tonights' 7 pm Family Hour a commercial for Arby's restaurants came on. It featured a man, sitting on a bed looking quite anxious. He asks an unseen person if she's ready. Flash to a view of a doorway and a voice calling out, "I'm only doing this because it's your birthday." Flash to the man who looks even more anxious.

Flash to the doorway through which a woman (presumably the man's wife) suddenly appears dressed in an Arby's uniform, holding a tray of food. She starts sauntering towards the bed [while sexually suggestive music plays in the background] in a highly sexually suggestive manner. Flash to the man who has a huge grin on his face. Above him is an Arby's logo with a definitely limp look to it. Suddenly the hat straightens right up in an unmistakable representation and overt reference to the man having an erection.

EXCUSE ME?!!!!! Are you kidding me?!!!!

I promptly went to my computer, looked up Arby's corporate, and wrote a very blunt and pointed letter informing them of how I feel about this commercial. Right afterwards, I got on my blog [here], and wrote this.

Now, don't get me wrong...I'm no prude, and I am definitely not sheltered. I am well aware of how advertisers go about selling the products of their clients. This particular ad however, surprised even me. This blatant, overt, and uninhibited use of sex to sell fast food was disgusting at best. And to have it during the Family Hour is simply irresponsible.

This commercial, aimed at our kids, should never have been approved. In my letter to Arby's, I stated that the advertisers should be fired, and the corporate manager who approved it should be, too. Further, I went on to suggest that the company fine itself, and donate the money to an appropriate charity. Lastly, I told them that I would never eat at any Arby's again for this gross misconduct. I meant every word.

If we, the viewing public do nothing about this type of advertising, the ad industry will assume that all is well, and will grow bolder with each successive ad campaign.

Please, if you see inappropriate advertising, write the company, the FCC, the TV stations, etc. Let your voices be heard so these people who so strongly influence our kids are not allowed to flood their innocent eyes with increasingly graphic sexual references. I for one, will not allow myself to stand by while this happens. I will speak out. You should too.

After all, if we don't do everything we can to care for the physical health and mental well-being of our kids, we are failing them.