Collective Shout speaks out against billboards depicting violence against women and gets results

Collective Shout supporter Patrice had posted a message about this billboard on our community page. We followed that up with a blog post encouraging other supporters to take action by writing to the Advertising Standards Board. The Advertising Standards Board have upheld complaints against Calvin Klein billboards in Sydney and Melbourne. Thanks to all who made their voices heard on this issue. As reported by the Herald Sun:

Child experts and advocates say 'Let children be children.'

A number of Collective Shout supporters contacted us about the latest Witchery catalogue, which portrays children in adult styled clothing and poses.

The issue has since hit the media with a number of child advocates speaking out about the catalogue.

Just one week after Melinda Tankard Reist wrote about Woolworths promoting the Lynx Lodge, Woolworths has agreed to withdraw from the Lynx Lodge promotion. Lynx was holding a competition with Woolworths, where a winner will be the first to stay at the Lodge with seven friends. Collective Shout supporter Jade posted Woolworths response to the letter she sent them about the Lynx Lodge.

Today, from Melinda Tankard Reist's blog

Why would Woolworths associate itself with the objectification of women?

Lynx now include women in their range of products at the "Lynx Lodge."

We already know that Lynx produces some of the most sexist and degrading advertising you can find (or rather - finds you). So I'm not sure why I was surprised  to hear that Lynx is opening a resort called "The Lynx Lodge."

Advertising Standards Board upholds complaints against 'Have an Affair' billboard

The Advertising standards board has upheld complaints against Ashley Madison 'Have an Affair' billboard. Ashley Madison is an online 'dating' service for 'cheaters.' The billboard has now been pulled down.

Learn Italian, play skirmish, do gymnastics, get some porn

Following on from Ryl Harrison's article challenging Makita's sexist advertising which featured some great examples of letter writing, we thought you might like to read this letter which Rose has sent to her local newspaper.

Local newspapers increasingly have this odd mix of family and community stories alongside invitations to visit the local brothel or sex shop. Rose decided it was worth speaking up about. On'ya Rose! We look forward to hearing their response.

Today a special guest post by Collective Shout member Ryl Harrison.

Ryl's experience and persistence with challenging Makita power tools on sexist advertising in their catalogues has shown results. Makita now appears to be stepping  away from using sexist imagery in their advertising, although they’re not quite there yet. Read on to see how Ryl went about challenging Makita and what you can do to help. We agree with Ryl, it’s worth speaking up.

Recently, one of our members wrote on our community page about the Ashley Madison billboard at Sydney Airport.

Many others have emailed us about the same billboard. It features a naked woman, complete with ‘sultry’ facial expression and reads

“Life is short. Have an affair.”

As published on Melinda Tankard Reist's blog.

Good piece in The National Times today on ‘Lad’s Ads’, pointing out the raw sexism of the new Brut deodorant advertising campaign – a perfect case study in sexist advertising. Brut appears to be following in the footsteps of Unilever’s Lynx, which has turned objectification into an art form (all the while promoting Dove ‘real beauty’). Thanks Brut and Lynx for entrenching the notion that women are mindless objects for male sexual fantasies. Oh, and men? Perhaps find something else to spray yourselves with. These ads demean you too.