The Ad Standards Board dismissed complaints against Cotton On's 'Brazilian' advertisements on social media. Read the case report below:

Originally published on The Conversation

Advertising and sex are two of the oldest professions in the world. Indeed, one of the earliest uses of advertising was to advertise sexual services; prostitutes in Ancient Greece carved ads into the soles of their sandals so that their footprints read: “Follow me”.

Sex and sexism, however, are different things. One is fun and most people do it at some time in their lives; the other is offensive and should never be done at all. But if recent events – from Eddie McGuire to Steve Price – are any indication, it seems sexism, like porn, is something you only know when you see it.

If you need to know how this plays out in advertising, the award-winning Game of Balls ad is sex-in-advertising. The Ultratune ads are sexism in advertising, as is the campaign using pre-teen models in sexualised poses to advertise dancewear.

We've spent years dealing with Ad Standards, and in this time, we've seen the many flaws in the system- one we argue needs a complete upheaval. Of course, the industry likes things exactly the way they are. As the Australia Institute said in the Letting Children Be Children report, "… advertisers also have an interest in avoiding government scrutiny that may lead to stronger regulation of advertising in the interests of the general public…Self-regulation is a strategy that enables the industry to avoid such scrutiny."

We've made a list of flaws in the current system, and narrowed it down to 25. 

Will the NRL take a stand against sexploitation events hijacking its brand?

[*Update: FFSA have replied. Their response is posted at the bottom of the article.]

A few weeks ago we wrote an article on SBS about a local South Australian soccer club hosting a men's night complete with strippers down at the club. The event sparked a lot of discussion on our Facebook page and in response we wrote this piece highlighting some of the main issues with a men's sporting club participating in the purchase of sexual services. 

Only a matter of weeks later, we have learned about yet another South Australian club venue hosting a similar event - and they may have gotten away with it if the so-called 'Adult Entertainment' agency had not posted a photo from the night on Instagram, complete with the club's logo in the background.

Click here to read the determination

Via the Herald Sun

A WOMEN’S campaign group want posters advertising a CBD entertainment venue removed, claiming it aligns women with meat.

Collective Shout has received numerous complaints since November about the posters advertising Schnitz ‘n’ Tits.

We have been receiving complaints against hardware store Total Tools since last year. 

We contacted them in December and this was their reply:

"Apologies if our artwork choice has offended you. We will certainly use your feedback in deciding future artwork for our catalogues."

On their blog they claim to encouraging their female franchise community. But objectifying and sexualising women in marketing and advertising doesn't make for a very welcoming work environment for women. 

The Para Hills West Soccer Club in Adelaide seems to have missed the memo.

With a new focus on objectification of women, abuse, violence, sexism and misogyny, Para Hills West decides not only to host a ‘Men’s Night’ fundraiser – but advertise it at the club for all the junior boys to see. 

Para Hills West is making sure boys learn early about what women are good for. It seems to have ignored amateur soccer’s own code of conduct.

This poster is on display at the club in full view of junior players

Promotional photos for the new Power Rangers film reveal female fighters costumed with high heels and 'boob armour', in a move that has been dubbed 'sexist' on social media. 

             

Collective Shout Campaigns Manager Caitlin Roper commented on Huffington Post: