Gap 2009 Holiday Commercial

Although only thirteen days old, this commercial is feeling the pressure from the critics! Gap launched this ad on November 13 to emphasize the momentum for their 1969 denim launch, and is decked out with impressive choreographed routines and denim, boots, scarves – the whole nine yards. Though over-exuberance is evidently apparent, it is hard to say that Gap didn’t have their hearts in the right place. However, Gap is now being accused of making fun of religion in the delivery process.

In fact, the American Family Association wants a two-month boycott of Gap and its sister brands Old Navy and Banana Republic for phrases like the following: “Go Christmas, go Hanukkah, go Kwanzaa, go Solstice. . . . Do whatever you wannukkah and to all a cheery night.” In response, Gap issued the following statement: “the company is and has always been an inclusive, accessible brand in which everyone can participate and we embrace diversity across all of our customers, and more importantly respect their beliefs as individuals… We focus our marketing on the joys of the holiday season as a whole.” While there are comments expressing offense, the majority of others have just said that they are more annoyed than anything with the over-the-top pep. See for yourself; is it worth a boycott for all chains under the Gap Inc. name?

From Effective to Disrespective

Highly supported animal rights organization, PeTA proudly showcases  series of commercials that have been banned on their website for viewing. In 2007 PeTA released an effective ad on reasons for becoming a vegetarian:

A year later, PeTA launched a new series of commercials under a “Milk Gone Wild” title with a theme very close in resemblance to Joe Francis’ Girls Gone Wild series; a show that has been countlessly accused of rape and other associated crimes. According to some opinionated bloggers, the girls featured are treated like objects and are taken advantage of. Needless to say this advertisement violated regulations and was banned from further exposure (no pun intended). One of PeTA’s main initiatives is to educate people on the poor treatment of animals, however this ad simultaneously emphasizes poor treatment of females and diminished self-worth. Quite a comparison!