January 14, 2019

A Gillette ad, titled “We Believe,” speaks of #MeToo movement,"toxic masculinity," and question whether "boys will be boys" is "the best a man can get."

The Wall Street Journal reports (in "P&G Challenges Men to Shave Their ‘Toxic Masculinity’ in Gillette Ad"):
“This is an important conversation happening, and as a company that encourages men to be their best, we feel compelled to both address it and take action of our own,” said Pankaj Bhalla, Gillette brand director for North America in an emailed statement....

Gillette needs to appeal to millennials who care about what companies stand for, he said. “There’s a demand for this, for purpose, for brands to be tackling tough issues in the moment.”

But the ad could backfire and alienate Gillette’s base, [said said Dean Crutchfield, CEO of branding firm Crutchfield + Partners]. “Does the customer want to be told they’re a naughty boy? Are you asking too much of your consumer to be having this conversation with them?”
Here's the ad:



Full disclosure: The shots of the little boys in the end made me cry.

By the way, women buy a lot of Gillette products too.

251 comments:

1 – 200 of 251   Newer›   Newest»
MeatPopscicle1234 said...

#GetWokeGoBroke

gilbar said...

Pankaj Bhalla?
remember the olden days? when american companies were ran by americans?

Ralph L said...

Shut Up and Shave!

Shouldn't it show only white cis-het men and boys? I give them some credit for NOT doing that, but the virtue signaling is too heavy-handed to avoid backlash.

gilbar said...

meanwhile, the upstart advertizes: "At Harry’s we embrace the messiness of masculinity."

Darrell said...

Finding out an attractive women is not wearing knickers is as close as I will ever come to winning the lottery. I will not apologize for feeling that way.

Stick your f'in overpriced razor blades up your ass.

Laslo Spatula said...

Shaving your Toxic Masculinity is called Manscaping.

I am Laslo.

~ Gordon Pasha said...

Not sure who owns this company but I'll bet he's feeling better today than he did yesterday.

https://www.dollarshaveclub.com

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

From Wikipedia, "[King] Gillette was also a Utopian Socialist. He published a book titled The Human Drift (1894) which advocated that all industry should be taken over by a single corporation owned by the public, and that everyone in the US should live in a giant city called Metropolis powered by Niagara Falls."

I will boycott any company that features Anna Kasparian in its ads. There are plenty of razors out there from plenty of other companies.

gilbar said...

"because the Boys watching today; will be the women of tomorrow"
fixed it for you


seriously, How does this tie into Hardees commercials?

Bob Boyd said...

Almost all the men in the commercial were clean shaven. The only beards I saw were on the 2 guys who were about to misbehave, but were held back by a clean shaven friend.

Birkel said...

Will the Patriots hire Kaepernick after the season.
#woke=broke

Freeman Hunt said...

Are old school men or the New Men more likely to stop a gang of boys from beating up another boy?

Birkel said...

Gillette is owned by the guy who owns the Patriots, if that was not clear.

Bob Boyd said...

"Full disclosure: The shots of the little boys in the end made me cry."

Why did it make you cry?

rehajm said...

Not sure who owns this company but I'll bet he's feeling better today than he did yesterday.

You betcha. Never interfere when your market segment competition is fucking up - Probably some ad guy

CJinPA said...

"There’s a demand for this, for purpose, for brands to be tackling tough issues in the moment.”

I think this is one of the most significant developments in Western culture in decades. Corporations feeling compelled as a matter of survival to take sides in ongoing culture wars. (Well, not "sides" actually. One side. The dominant side.)

Has this ever happened before in the history of capitalism? Something like advertisers depicting traditional cultural favorably in the 1950s doesn't count. They weren't taking sides in a current cultural battle (that bleeds into politics.)

I was just joking with my wife that nearly every ad depicting someone carrying a laundry basket makes damn sure the carrier is a man. Which doesn't depict reality, but rather the reality the admakers conclude Americans aspire to.

Where will this go? Will there pushback and what will it look like? Fascinating.

rehajm said...

Dollar Shave Club- We sell men's grooming products for men.

Rob said...

I had no problem with the commercial, but a lot of the comments on YouTube are negative. I enjoyed this one, which as every educated person knows is a variation of the business plan of the Underpants Gnomes on South Park:

Phase 1: Alienate your customers
Phase 2: ?????
Phase 3: Profit

Rabel said...

"Are old school men or the New Men more likely to stop a gang of boys from beating up another boy?"

I didn't have the sound on, but they seem to be telling me to keep on doing what I was raised to do.

Bilwick said...

Good little Eloi!

stevew said...

Gillette is owned by Proctor & Gamble, not Robert Kraft (owner of the New England Patriots).

When I shave I use Harry's, they work great, are inexpensive, and I don't get lectures about how to behave.

CJinPA said...

Dollar Shave Club- We sell men's grooming products for men.

I've been waiting for that kind of backlash. Maybe not that explicit, but sending the same message but what the ads leave out: all the beta male social justice preening.

Jon Burack said...

Propaganda, all is phoney

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

I'm with Rob. I didn't find the commercial offensive. Real men teach their children not to be assholes.

The only thing I would not have done with s touch a child who is not mine. That guy is going to get accused of sex assault by the bully he is trying to reprimand.

Maybe Gillette can do the next commercial about that!

stevew said...

FYI: I don't watch commercial television and so do not see these commercials. And I'm an old guy.

CJinPA said...

Gillette is owned by the guy who owns the Patriots, if that was not clear.

You're thinking the previous Patriots owner, Victor Kiam, who owned Remington. "I liked it so much I bought the company."

Ralph L said...

With all the beard-growing, razor companies must be stinging badly. This won't help.

Is there life after shave?

Bay Area Guy said...

I'd rather not be lectured by Madison Avenue phonies who think it's a good marketing strategy to lecture folks into buying their products.

That's just me.

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

"Gillette is owned by Proctor & Gamble"

I can boycott any and all P&G products, and I will. I'll buy from Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever, etc., anything but P&G.

YoungHegelian said...

@CJinPa,

I was just joking with my wife that nearly every ad depicting someone carrying a laundry basket makes damn sure the carrier is a man. Which doesn't depict reality, but rather the reality the admakers conclude Americans aspire to.

Yep, just like the plethora of interracial couples now seen in commercials. That, too, doesn't reflect social reality.

What I find interesting about the trend towards interracial couples is -- who really wants to see that in a commercial? While the culture as a whole is becoming more tolerant of such unions, there's no group that identifies it as "the best case" scenario. I think this is the "wokeness" of the ad people getting ahead of their customer base.

Rabel said...

A classic post presents an alternative.

buwaya said...

That is a female fault. Understandable in mothers I guess, but still.
Mothers are too protective and sentimental.

The Spartan mother who told her son to come back with his shield or on it - that is the realistic and virtuous attitude.

Boys exist for a reason, and that is a lower odds, higher return bet on the future.
They are there as risk capital. Expect losses.

CJinPA said...

"We feel compelled..."

“There’s a demand for this.."

Compelled. Demand.

In less than one generation, the Left has gone form railing against corporations to compelling corporations to structure their ad campaigns on the Left's politics. I repeat: This is fascinating.

Henry said...

Gillette paid for the naming rights to Gillette Stadium home to the Patriots, owned by Robert Kraft.

Darrell said...

I bought a Chinese knockoff of a Norelco cordless electric shaver on Amazon during the Black Friday sales for under $20. It is not as sturdy as a Norelco, but it works better--so far. It's still working on the initial charge, too.

Jay Vogt said...

I dunno. This clearly seems like a loser for guys like me who've already been shaving for more than 20 year. It seems so off as it begs us to correct our past bad behaviors. But I think the way most of my peers would look at this is that traditional masculinity is not and never was the problem. e.g. it was always fine to admire a beautiful woman, it was never ok to harass her, it was always ok to compete hard and show yourself to be the better of your peers, it was never ok to pick on or bully someone less powerful than yourself, it was always ok to show traditional gender related manners to a woman, it was never ok to condescend. Guys throughout history have known this . . . . . and we know it when we screw up. Look at any role model from the past century and they lived and were judged by that code. Which seems perfectly fine to me.

For guys in their twenties and thirties - maybe they look at us older guys as vile, badgering clods in our relationships with women. Women who would one day be their mothers. And if that's how the assess us (right or wrong), maybe the ad works. They're not really blaming the younger guys, they're blaming me and my peers.

Seems odd, but it could work.

Nonapod said...

I use Schick products, so.. I guess I'll just keep using those.

Limited blogger said...

Nobody in that ad needed a shave? Remember when razor blade ads showed stubble?

TreeJoe said...

"“There’s a demand for this, for purpose, for brands to be tackling tough issues in the moment.”"

Left notably unclear is WHO is demanding this.

Is it being demanded by customers that their shaving company 'tackle tough issues'....if so, please share that finding.

Is it being demanded by shareholders that their shaving company 'tackle tough issues'.... if so, let's see the proof.

Either of those would be reasonable positions for a company to do this.

Because when I watch that ad, which makes good points about how boys watching today will be the men of tomorrow, I see the quiet accusation that men who stand up for others are the minority of men.

Gilette is taking the stance that men as a class need to be reminded of their inappropriate behavior and that they need to become better.

As a man with 3 boys, who very much wants to see my 3 boys become gentlemen who protect others, I still have to go "Gillette, wtf? You are a shaving company. Don't take social stances on an entire gender's behavior."

stevew said...

Correct Henry. And they still occupy a large manufacturing facility in South Boston. "Gillette World Shaving Headquarters". Paying to name the stadium maintains the fantasy that they're still a Boston company.

None of it is real.

CJinPA said...

What I find interesting about the trend towards interracial couples is -- who really wants to see that in a commercial? While the culture as a whole is becoming more tolerant of such unions, there's no group that identifies it as "the best case" scenario. I think this is the "wokeness" of the ad people getting ahead of their customer base.

I wonder what polls say. Would even woke ad agencies want to risk profits by losing companies money? I know that the general perception is that many black women can be hostile to the notion of black men with white women. (That's just me, a white guy, recalling the issue being aired regarding OJ Simpson and his wife.)

I think one group, white liberals, would definitely tell advertisers that mixed unions are the "best case scenario." Most others would be neutral, with some seeing it negatively.

Charlie said...

Suddenly, i don't feel like buying Gillette products anymore.

Matt said...

Gillette notwithstanding, here's what "boys will be boys" looks like. Two little boys pick up sticks and start whaling on each other. Daddy sees it and runs toward them, shouting for them to stop. Then he notices both boys have big grins on their faces and are laughing hysterically. After making sure nobody is bleeding or concussed, he tells them to be careful and "no head shots." By this point, the boys are bored with sticks and start throwing rocks at the tree.

Daddy tells Mommy about this later and she says, "I guess boys will be boys."

Kevin said...

I guess we need to see the female version before we can really comment.

Perhaps a woman's company can have one about women who need to shape up: "Is 'women are just emotional' the best we can do?"

It might include:

- A woman screaming and beating a man who just stands there.
- A woman spreading rumors about a co-worker behind her back.
- A woman coming out of a Casting Agent's office still buttoning her blouse and being stopped by another woman, "Hey, we don't do that."

Then we could collectively decide as people how much messaging we need about our behavior.

Darrell said...

So it's the beards that are doing it!
I would have never guessed!
Get shaved. Get saved.

Matt said...

This is odd. Gillette is acting like they (Madison Avenue and the elites) are just passive observers. We had decent men front and center. Go back to any show from the 50's to see what they looked like. Ward Cleaver. Father Knows Best. John Wayne. But the 60's counter-culture deemed them week. "Do what feels right" is what the elites shoved down everyone's throats. That continued to evolve through the 80's (heavy metal), and 90's and aughts (rap). At every step, Madison Ave told us "Women are there for the pleasure of men".

Many rejected the message . The were dismissed are moral idiots. As religious nuts.

And now, after rot and decay have infected every aspect of culture, and after decades of listening to songs about screwing hoes, Madison Ave has decide "enough".

Where were they in the 70's when it took courage to take a stand? They certainly weren't out on the front line of the social war. Hell now, they were high as a kite and grabbing what ever came within their grasp, whether it was wanted or not.

rehajm said...

I think this is one of the most significant developments in Western culture in decades.

How much are they spending on this virtue signal? A class action suit for failing to maximize shareholder value would be valid in a court of law ruled by a judge who still believed in rule of law.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

I fine this ad problematic. Most of the behavior complained about in the ad is done by disadvantaged minorities. Remember the girl walking in NYC. She got praise then blame for being racist.

I'm calling this ad racist. Gillette Corp is white supremacist.

CJinPA said...

Because when I watch that ad, which makes good points about how boys watching today will be the men of tomorrow,

I wonder if someone raised their hand at the ad meeting:

"Speaking of taking a stand that encourages men to care about boys, we could take a stand for more fathers in the home. Maybe list some stats about how it lowers poverty, crime, domestic violence and stuff."

[SILENCE]

"It's just, if we want to show we care about society --

"Maybe you should wait in the hall."

Charlie said...

In other words, Mike Pence is the ideal man.

Breezy said...

Would Gilette me be me, please?

rehajm said...

How about we stop hobbling boys in grade school so they can represent half of the student body in college?

CJinPA said...

How much are they spending on this virtue signal? A class action suit for failing to maximize shareholder value would be valid in a court of law ruled by a judge who still believed in rule of law.

Maybe that's when the truth comes out: "These ads are a preemptive move to protect us from being targeted by Social Justice shake down operations."

Would it be crazy to think grievance groups hold the threat of a social media attack over the heads of companies to compel them get woke? Wouldn't take much effort.

JaimeRoberto said...

I use a Braun electric shaver. The Germans are good with facial hair.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

So much preaching.

MayBee said...

I'm trying so hard to imagine a similar ad with women, and I cannot. I cannot imagine the outrage.

Mattman26 said...

Now I gotta find a new blade.

TreeJoe said...

CJinPA - Amen.

They don't actually know what taking a stand means. They'll consider this edgy because it will garner alot of attention.

MayBee said...

Was it Bud Light who found that no, people were not clamoring for wokeness in their commercials when they had to drop Seth Rogan and Amy Schumer?

Freeman Hunt said...

"In other words, Mike Pence is the ideal man."

Heh.

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

"Mothers are too protective and sentimental."

I wonder if this ad is actually aimed more at women than men. After all, women do most of the shopping, I believe, and they also use P&G products, including Gillette razors. Especially hairy women.

bleh said...

Does Gillette still charge more for women's razors?

Fernandinande said...

I liked the part about the little kid half-assedly beating on the slightly bigger kid because I was once a little kid, and then later I was that slightly bigger kid who probably deserved to be half-assedly beaten-up by my former self until that bully grown-up pulled him off.

I can really identify with that video (better link right above), especially with the nearly identical Red Guard, er, Skin Guard, guys lined up along a fence with their stereotypical suburban grills because that's how I like to shave.

So I'm gonna buy GILLETTE® SKING UARD
DESIGNED TO STOP IRRITATION

WITHOUT GILLETTE® SKING UARD
WITH GILLETTE® SKING UARD
Dramatization
cuz that shallow-appearance/self-absorption shit is so macho.

PM said...

I think that VO would be interesting over a muted R. Kelly or Nicki Minaj video. Or any hip-hop clip, frankly. On the plus side - great use of their tagline.

Sprezzatura said...

"Are old school men or the New Men more likely to stop a gang of boys from beating up another boy?"


Overall, this is a numbers thing. How big is the gang v the boy(s) trying to stop the beatdown?

And numbers-wise: how popular is it for gangs of boys to beat up other boys, re now v then?

Presumably, the more that boys turn into beta wimps, the fewer boys will be left to smash betas and homos (assuming a difference).

I dunno.

Math is tricky.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

What I find interesting about the trend towards interracial couples is -- who really wants to see that in a commercial? While the culture as a whole is becoming more tolerant of such unions, there's no group that identifies it as "the best case" scenario.

How many black men have you asked?

Infinite Monkeys said...

when american companies were ran by americans?

"Were run". Don't run for president, your typo means you've failed the John McWhorter test for presidential fitness.

I Callahan said...

Full disclosure: The shots of the little boys in the end made me cry.

God help us. Maybe Gillette is trying to corner the market on women’s shave products.

Sprezzatura said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=9Z3gAG3C0ko

Sprezzatura said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHBsCwXqGrM

Sprezzatura said...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/12/us/washington-highway-sign-420.html

Not me.

I promise.

I Callahan said...

I'm with Rob. I didn't find the commercial offensive. Real men teach their children not to be assholes

Men ALREADY DO teach their kids not to be assholes. That’s the offensive part of this whole thing. This is aimed at the men who do just that already, and implies that not only are those men NOT doing it, but that they should be doing something else.

CJinPA said...

Was it Bud Light who found that no, people were not clamoring for wokeness in their commercials when they had to drop Seth Rogan and Amy Schumer?

Yup.

Bud Light Kills Seth Rogen/Amy Schumer Campaign Before Election Day as Sales Slip

Despite continued positive signs in brand health evolution, driven by millennials and Hispanics, 3Q was the softest performance of Bud Light for the year from a volume and share perspective.”

CJinPA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Charlie Currie said...

What I saw was, masculine men standing up to jerks.

There are no masculine men in Hollywood. There are jerks - lots of them have been in the news lately - and there are weaklings who are too afraid to stand up to them.

RNB said...

"Are you asking too much of your consumer to be having this conversation with them?” What conversation? When I engage in a conversation, usually I get to speak. This is what is called a "lecture."

gilbar said...

Infinite Monkeys said...
"Were run". Don't run for president, your typo means you've failed the John McWhorter test for presidential fitness.

Dam it all to Hel!
My goal in life has been to be able to restore Rapidan Camp and get rid of that fleabag camp david!

FIDO said...

The Gillette Sensor razor was one of the best and stress free razors I ever had as a bespotted teenager. Savaging your face every day was traumatic.

Overseas they were much cheaper and I stocked up on blades.

Once they are expended, I will reevaluate my shaving options but will freely tell the company what I think of them.

Gk1 said...

I don't care what these overpriced nancy boys have to say. At the end of the day women still prefer men that aren't ashamed of themselves or are always looking for womens approval. Men don't act like women, that's what women like. Maybe Gillette can get into a line of men's bikini wax and man bun products while they are at it.

cronus titan said...

Since more businesses are throwing down with the woke crowd, there must be business cases showing that virtue signalling is persuasive when selling a product. THey know it will alienate at least some of their customers but believe the new customer will outnumber them. I suppose we will see soon enough.

The only time I have heard the expression "boys will be boys" is when it is said with sarcastic anger because something did not turn out the way they wanted. I cannot recall an instance of anyone excusing bullying or violent/criminal acts because "boys will be boys."

If it is indeed the case that we have successfully persuaded young men that they are defective girls and are inherently shameful, the one guy in 20 years who rejected that theory is going to get laid a lot.

William said...

How about Lady Gillette do a series of commercials warning about the toxicity of mean girl behavior? I bet the current style of woman's pubic hair sells a lot of razors, so now's the time to tell women to not only improve their pubes but also their personalities........I don't think this ad will have any influence over my next razor purchase, one way or another.. Only a mean girl type of guy lets himself be unduly influenced by advertising. Real men don't pay attention to advertising.

Charlie Currie said...

I remember when Gillette sponsored The Wednesday Night Fights. Gillette Blue Blades. Lotta masculinity going on there.

chickelit said...

Too stylized.

Ironically, it reminded me of something Don Draper would have dreamed up and sold to a client.

chickelit said...

This ad does not reach me like that Simon and Garfunkel ad by Sanders did. It reminds me of a Hillary ad, because yes it's political through and through.

bleh

Charlie Currie said...

I've been a Dollar Shave Club customer for many years. Great product, great service. They send me new razors every two months - the cheapest ones they sell. Company founded by a sharp, clever and funny entrepreneur - his YouTube video/commercials are what caught my attention. Sold out a few years ago - they market a lot more products now, but I don't buy any of them.

I Callahan said...

One of the funniest responses to corporate virtue signaling I’ve ever seen, if not the funniest. Seen in the comments on Gillette’s Facebook page:

So there I was, putting on my rape shoes, and practicing my sexual harassment pickup lines this morning. I just got done cyberbullying my coworkers. It was time to shave, I yelled at my wife to smile because I demand it, while pinching her butt right after she told me she didn't consent to it. Putting on the shaving cream and thinking about how I can get my son into a fight at the next BBQ, I replaced the worn Gillette brand Mach3 and began to chant "boys will be boys" as I started to shave. Then suddenly my daughter burst into the bathroom holding her phone. As I began to mansplain to her why she isn't smart enough to know my shaving time is my time she showed me the new Gillette ad. I realized how my every view and behavior I've ever held dear was wrong. I'm calling in sick at the toxic masculinity factory today and registering Democrat. Thanks Gillette, now excuse me while I help to impeach.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

“Men ALREADY DO teach their kids not to be assholes. That’s the offensive part of this whole thing. This is aimed at the men who do just that already, and implies that not only are those men NOT doing it, but that they should be doing something else.”

What happens when men who don’t realize they are assholes are told they are by their sons?

Tom from Virginia said...

Goodbye Gillette. Hello Harry's.

Charlie Currie said...

I keep hearing/reading that women love a man with a sense of humor...someone who can make them laugh. Wimps lack the self confidence to be humorous.

They also love very rich men, funny or not. But rich and funny is the golden ticket.

magamamma said...

I just want to buy a freaking razor, stop lecturing me.

Static Ping said...

The corporate world seems to be obsessed with hating their customers for some reason. It is most fascinating. As they say over at Instapundit, it appears that the people running these companies seem more concerned about what their peers think of them than actually doing their jobs.

Sadly, Gillette is going to find out that their are a lot less barriers to entry in their industry than, say, Google.

Martin said...

Not just offensive but mind-numbingly offensive. Virtue signalling at its worst and most stupid.

mockturtle said...

Men should just ignore this type of lunacy. And, for the most part, ignore what women purportedly want from a man. Chances are, a woman doesn't really know what she wants. Surprise her.

Jersey Fled said...

Why do I think this program to create the "new man" will fail. Just like all the other ones.

Sprezzatura said...

"Chances are, a woman doesn't really know what she wants. Surprise her."


May not be good advice for dudes w/ a Harvey/Louis sorta POV.

bonkti said...

Hollywood's Western tradition, with movies like High Noon and The Magnificent Seven, and it's step-children, like To Kill a Mockingbird, fueled generations of toxic masculinity.

Thank goodness that vile genre is dead and our media is finally free to show good men standing up to bullies and mean people.

Rick.T. said...

If man bites doggie
That is news
If face
Scares doggie
Better use
Burma-Shave

Sprezzatura said...

BTW, hot guys know that gals want them. The reactions are un-unnoticeable. Every day. Everywhere. Weird shyness and wanting to attach-ness. They seem to think that the best way to grab on to a desirable dude is w/ legs wrapped. This is tiring.

Anywho, presumably not-hot guys get an opposite vibe. And, they should heed the signals. Do not "surprise her."


IMHT.

buwaya said...

"What happens when men who don’t realize they are assholes are told they are by their sons?"

The sons, one must realize, are merely another sort of asshole.
It is not the capacity of assholery that varies, merely the form.
They will almost all become the same old sort of asshole after maturing into the role.

Unknown said...

I buy the walmart Equate knock-off brand

It comes without expectations

Rick.T. said...

The chick
He wed
Let out a whoop
Felt his chin and
Flew the coop
Burma-Shave

http://burma-shave.org/jingles/

Charlie Currie said...

Inga...Allie Oop said..

"What happens when men who don’t realize they are assholes are told they are by their sons?"

My dad was a functioning alcoholic. He was funny most of the time and had lots of friends. But, there came a point when he was drunk too often and too drunk and it wasn't funny anymore. I was around 17 when during one of his not so funny episodes, I told him he shouldn't drink so much. Thought he was going to strangle me. I had to get in my room and hold the door shut. My mom finally got between him and the door and calmed him down. I think he might have left and went to a bar.

Did I mention that my dad was 6'4" and a little over 200lbs? My mom was 5'2" and I was around 5'6" 120 soaking wet.

First time he ever shook my hand was the day I left for bootcamp. We were close from that day on...unfortunately, he died 6 years later.

buwaya said...

" The reactions are un-unnoticeable. "

Um, if you have been around a bit, the signs of female interest are quite obvious.

After a certain age though this ability becomes simply a source of amusement.

W.B. Picklesworth said...

Modern America is loony. I grew a beard.

Jay Elink said...

Gillette preaching about "toxic masculinity" while paying to put their corporate name on a stadium where gladiatorial combat takes place weekly?

Cognitive dissonance.

Inga...Allie Oop said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bagoh20 said...

Take it, betas, hook, line, and sinker. That will eliminate you as the minor competition you were before this bullshit took you in. I like women fighting over me with my sexy stubble self-interest.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

“What happens when men who don’t realize they are assholes are told they are by their sons?"

“My dad was a functioning alcoholic. He was funny most of the time and had lots of friends. But, there came a point when he was drunk too often and too drunk and it wasn't funny anymore. I was around 17 when during one of his not so funny episodes, I told him he shouldn't drink so much. Thought he was going to strangle me. I had to get in my room and hold the door shut. My mom finally got between him and the door and calmed him down. I think he might have left and went to a bar.

Did I mention that my dad was 6'4" and a little over 200lbs? My mom was 5'2" and I was around 5'6" 120 soaking wet.

First time he ever shook my hand was the day I left for bootcamp. We were close from that day on...unfortunately, he died 6 years later.”


So sorry you had a father who was alcoholic, that must’ve been rough for you and your mom. Sounds like your mom had/has courage, I suppose she needed it to be married to an alcoholic. I’m glad your relationship with him improved and you had 6 good years with him.

Gk1 said...

After reading that Nike sales actually increased after signing faux activist Collin Kaepernick I am satisfied I no longer understand the demographic that modern advertisement appeals to. Being in my mid 50's I am no longer in their key demographic so who knows, maybe having a campaign of scolding men by feminist, misshapen trannies and other PC nannies will be appealing to the formless gorms with disposable income.

gspencer said...

Soy boys rule at Gillette.

rhhardin said...

I buy the Kroger generic brand plastic razors when they go on deep sale.

Jay Elink said...

bagoh20 said...
Take it, betas, hook, line, and sinker. That will eliminate you as the minor competition you were before this bullshit took you in. I like women fighting over me with my sexy stubble self-interest.
*********************

Go to to Bing Image, and type "best female nude selfies".

Thousands of young women displaying all their ladyparts in public, in every imaginable pose, angle and close-up.

I suspect they're not doing it for the soy boy beta males.

LYNNDH said...

What happens when WOMEN who don’t realize they are assholes are told they are by their DAUGHTERS?"
There, fixed it.

chuck said...

I'm checking out a brand change, Schick used to be my favorite, and if they too go bad, I'll grow a manly beard.

> Chances are, a woman doesn't really know what she wants.

True, dat. Same with men, BTW.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

“What happens when WOMEN who don’t realize they are assholes are told they are by their DAUGHTERS?"
There, fixed it.”

Except this thread is about men and boys. If you want to deny that some men are assholes, well that’s your prerogative.

Anthony said...

I have a bunch of Schick disposables for full shaves and use and old old Gillette adjustable double edge razor with non-Gillette double edged blades for 5-times-a-week neck shaving.

Screw them.

Sebastian said...

This is just Gillette's way of teaching men what not to buy.

fivewheels said...

People. Head through the Amazon portal and go electric. The Panasonic line of products is excellent. This one's under $100
and highly rated. And Panasonic doesn't promote false accusations against men.

JackWayne said...

I too was struck by the pictures of the young child actors at the end of the ad. How they were able to strike that combination of fear and dread combined with pathos was spot on. But using young children in political ads is something that I don’t ordinarily like and regularly condemn....

bagoh20 said...

Yea, that's what I'm gonna do - take advice from someone half my age who just got their first job, never paid taxes or supported anyone, and who thinks there are 102 genders and that socialism is a cool new idea that needs a shot. It's not like I've been asleep for the last 20 years. Human nature isn't a fad, although I do like me a craft beer.

bagoh20 said...

Guys, try the stubble look. It is the most prefered among women, and it reduces your grooming to a couple times a week instead of daily. Nobody wants to go through that routine every single day.

Jupiter said...

What I -- actually -- think they are trying to say is, "Buy lots of our useless products!"

rcocean said...

What a horrible commercial! Its a men's shaving commercial targeted to woman & Left-wing pajama boys like Mr. Hogg of Florida fame.



rcocean said...

You know who would love this commercial? Men who want to shave off their chest hair.

Charlie Currie said...

Inga...Allie Oop:
Thank you. But, don't think there weren't great moments before our encounter. My dad was a great guy otherwise...like I said, he had lots of friends. He was a Marine and fought on Iwo and Oki.

And, yes, my mother was pretty tough, but they divorced six months after I went into the Army. She passed away this past December at the age of 99 yrs 7 mos and 11 days.

The relationship between sons and fathers is much more complicated than that between sons and mothers. That's why the boys at the end of the commercial made the professor cry.

exhelodrvr1 said...

Problem is, too many boys grow up without a man in the family to teach them how to be a man.

rcocean said...

BTW, I'm using the straight blade razor my Dad used. Once you learn how to use it, you'll never go back.

Jim at said...

After reading that Nike sales actually increased after signing faux activist Collin Kaepernick ...

I'm not so sure about that. There was a slight increase in sales after the ad initially aired, but he's nowhere to be found in their ads since.

Amadeus 48 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amadeus 48 said...

My father was the most gentlemanly man I have ever known, and he said the same thing about his father. What he told us was to be strong, to be courageous, to be generous, to be courteous, and to defend the weak from being picked on by the strong.

I find this ad mildly offensive because a commercial giant--which is just trying to get my money--thinks that this kind of vacuous emotionalism will get me to buy their razor blades and hair gel. Non sequiturs don't work with me.

rcocean said...

Sorry, I don't take Dad lessons from a razor company.

Fuck off Gillette.

Two-eyed Jack said...

The key statement is at 1:20:

"Some is not enough."

It never is. There will always be wreckers, and diversionist acts, and counter-revolutionary sabotage. Plan accordingly.

DrSquid said...

You never what in the hell is the thinking in advertisements anymore, the only sure thing is that old farts like me are not in the target demographic.

e.g have you heard the ad for Bomba socks? These are apparently some whole new kind of sock which will change the way you live, walk, dance, kick etc. If you buy a pair, the manufacturer will send you one pair and give another pair to some poor person. In other words, if you buy two pairs, they will send you one and give one to someone else. Sales are skyrocketing. I gather millenials and hipsters believe that even buying socks has some social commentary aspect to it, so this Bomba company is cashing in on them and doubling their sales.

BTW I try to not wear socks at all whenever possible, and I'm comfortable with my level of charitable donations.

eddie willers said...

In other words, if you buy two pairs, they will send you one and give one to someone else.

Screw that. Send me both pairs!

hombre said...

This is the precursor to Gillette’s next big, new product, The 12-Blade Castration Razor.

rcocean said...

Is anyone else get irritated at the over-representation of "people of color" on US TV commercials?

Is this ad International? Because I'd say White men are severely under-represented.

Two-eyed Jack said...

Seriously, my generation, entering adulthood in the '80s thought we had put sexism and racism behind us and found an enlightened way forward. The new high-tech companies had policies from the very start to address discrimination. We raised children to treat all people fairly and with respect. Now those children think that they are the first enlightened generation and that they were raised by fathers gambling on fighting 8-year-olds at backyard barbeques and expressing toxic masculinity by laughing at TV sitcoms.

Jupiter said...

Darrell said...
"Get shaved. Get saved."

Worked for Samson.

n.n said...

Is anyone else get irritated at the over-representation of "people of color" on US TV commercials?

It depends if it reflects diversity (i.e. color judgments) including racism or coincident with merit and placement. Unfortunately, as diversity is official policy in government and many private institutions, there is an assumption that their motive is a well-intended racism, which reconstructs denial of individual dignity. Pro-Choice now and forever, it seems.

rcocean said...

Of course, I know why they do it. They've done studies that show minorities will buy more when the commercial has a minority in it. Meanwhile, white people don't care.

that's also why you get all those "Daddy is a dummy" commercials. Men don't care. But women will buy more of a product when it flatters them.

rcocean said...

Here's how to improve that commercial.

End with an announcer saying: Make America Great Again!

Then: Picture of Trump.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

“And, yes, my mother was pretty tough, but they divorced six months after I went into the Army. She passed away this past December at the age of 99 yrs 7 mos and 11 days.”

Ah, I was wondering about this. I’m glad your mom found a different kind of courage and got a divorce. Sounds like she had many years thereafter to live a life of her own making.

rcocean said...

Working at home while watching TV.

Mitch McConnell going crazy over Rep. Stephen King. "No place in the Republican Party or this country for those kind of remarks".

The Koch brothers or Shelly Adelson must have given Mitch another $100,000.

rcocean said...

Like most of the Southern Boys in the US Senate, they don't do anything unless there's a dollar sign attached to it.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

@GayPatriot trolls the ad...

Link

tim in vermont said...

Fuck Gillette then. Once you are shit on my list, it's over. And I never minded paying the high price.

The Godfather said...

Upthread @ I Callahan (3:28 pm) said most of what I think about this issue, but I'll add this for emphasis:

What's wrong with this ad and others like it is the message that "men in general" are fucked up, but "you" can be different. The message that used to be presented (and that I grew up with) is that You are a man, and that is an honorable thing to be, and if you find that some other man isn't behaving properly, part of the duty and honor of a man is to step in and protect, teach, nurture, etc., the children, women, weak people, etc. who are victimized. You are much more likely to stand up and take a risk if you believe that you are part of a large virtuous group, than if you think you're a lonely hero.

Rusty said...

I can see where this would appeal to our beta male usual suspects like ritmo, but ill pass.

Rusty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michael said...

Grow up. Use a double edge razor. Great shaves. Cheap. Manly. I switch between Feather, Derby and Platinum blades. You can change them daily for less than Gillette's cartridges.

rhhardin said...

The tits-woman walking by was the high point.

hired man said...

Went over to Harry's about 6 months ago b/c Gillette was into monopoly pricing. Still with Harry's, even though its wider blade not quite as maneuverable as the monopoly's. But the monopoly thing pissed me off. And this ad confirms that the monopoly is so pleased with itself that it wants to preach to Everyman and still sell razors. Good luck with that, Gillette, I'm stickin' with Harry's.

rhhardin said...

Join with the NFL for breast awareness month.

walter said...

Yeah...that'll turn some guys around.

The robotic line of grill-masters was a novel touch.
Cookin' up porcupine?

Got me wondering though..and sure enough:

"The ads dovetail with launch of TheBestMenCanBe.org, a new brand site that will provide more detail about Gillette's new stance, which will be backed by a commitment to donate at least $1 million annually the next three years to organizations designed to help men of all ages "achieve their personal best," according to the brand. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the initial recipient.

Director of the spot is Kim Gehrig, who was selected via P&G's partnership with Free the Bid, a program that launched in 2016 that aims to get more female directors on ads. P&G began getting involed with the effort last year."

https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/gillette-s-a-man-responsibility/316231/

rhhardin said...

They had to have a talent search for the tits-woman. Hey this broad looks great.

After all they'd want the greatest looking hot woman to make the point. Not cool to react exactly as every guy reacts, is the message, with this particularly hot sought-out babe.

I mean if they used a regular-looking ugly broad there'd be no message. Nobody looks at her twice.

Okay what do we need. Golf shirt, no bra. Check. Dress for success.

I didn't rewatch so it's flash memory only.

Inga...Allie Oop said...

“Be best!”

Melania Trump

walter said...

She definitely shaves.

rhhardin said...

#ShaveTheBeaver gillette campaign is next. The ad was for women, I'll charitably assume.

Not just for legs.

Gk1 said...

I've been pretty happy with Dollar Shave club going on 3 years now, which I understand it is already razzing Gillette for its own goal advertising. I flirted with using straight blades back in the 90's but got a wicked slice near my nostril I will never forget. Cartridges for me please!

rhhardin said...

A google search for Burma Shave cunt poems discovers that it's a genre of porn. Have to refine the search...

Inga...Allie Oop said...

Interesting how 95% of the comments on this thread prove that the depiction of some men in the video is actually right on point, too bad so many of you don’t accept the challenge of “Be Best”.

walter said...

Was Kim Gehrig the best the men could get?

walter said...

Preach it!
(What you do best)

Gk1 said...

I'm still breathlessly awaiting Charmin bathroom tissues best practices for wiping my own ass since they probably have a political correct way of doing it that won't offend someone somewhere.

William said...

Maybe this is a rebound shot. The ad is not aimed for men but for women. I don't know what portion of the razor buying public they are, but my guess is that they buy a fair amount of blades both for themselves and for their men. As noted earlier, this ad will not factor into my consciousness but it most likely gets a positive response from women. The thing to remember with ads is not that made by manipulators but that they're made by clever manipulators.

rhhardin said...

Gillette is a feminized name in the first place.

Daniel Jackson said...

Competition is fierce in the men's blade market in the States and the EU.

But, in the WOMEN'S blade market, that's another story. Gillette has been moving in that direction since 2009. Ladies have a thing about cuts and scratches under arms, along legs, and other locations.

They are simply playing to their base.

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/12/11/18134456/best-razor-gillette-harrys-dollar-shave-club

rhhardin said...

I'm still breathlessly awaiting Charmin bathroom tissues best practices for wiping my own ass since they probably have a political correct way of doing it that won't offend someone somewhere.

Front to back, away from the vagina. Boys should be taught that now too.

I got it from Grace Paley ("Enormous Changes at the Last Minute") in a lecture.

John henry said...

I use the Shick Hydro 3. I use the cartridges at home and disposables on the road.

If I told you how many shaves I got out of each blade you'd call me a liar.

I'll just say its more than 30. And I have a fairly heavy beard.

I think the trick is to use a hogh quality shave crea like Barbasol and let it sit for at least 30—45 seconds before shaving.

I think men spend entirely too much money on shaving.

John Henry

rhhardin said...

If I have to look presentable in the winter, when I'll otherwise have a stubble beard to serve as a ski mask for bike commuting, I use a no-comb-attached Wahl haircut razor first, followed by a norelco electric, followed by a Kroger brand plastic razor.

n.n said...

In Stork They Trust, and in warlocks and witches they believe.

walter said...

Yeah..it IS sad to that those boys were stuck into this preachy piece, likely not having a clue what it was about.
This will cheer ya up Ann:
https://www.stashmedia.tv/libresse-viva-la-vulva-kim-gehrig/

ccscientist said...

YoungHegelian says: "What I find interesting about the trend towards interracial couples is -- who really wants to see that in a commercial? While the culture as a whole is becoming more tolerant of such unions, there's no group that identifies it as "the best case" scenario. I think this is the "wokeness" of the ad people getting ahead of their customer base."
ironically, blacks are not real fond of interracial couples.

Matt said...

said Pankaj Bhalla, Gillette brand director for North America in an emailed statement....
~~~~~~~~~~
Stopped reading right there. No further info necessary.

walter said...

I was thinking viva la vulva would be based on viva las vegas...

Known Unknown said...

"who really wants to see that in a commercial? "

I don't really notice and don't really care.

tcrosse said...

ironically, blacks are not real fond of interracial couples.

Black ladies don't feel good about Black Men with White Women. Ask one some time.





walter said...

Who's that guy that used Laslo's account to set us straight? He would have something to say about that.

FIDO said...

Director of the spot is Kim Gehrig, who was selected via P&G's partnership with Free the Bid, a program that launched in 2016 that aims to get more female directors on ads. P&G began getting involed with the effort last year."


I keep getting lectured by women at how much better they are at communicating. Well, they certainly talk more. And they can find offense in a 'Hi!', particularly if it comes from a man (that supposed cat calling video).

So seeing this Feminist director and the fruits of her work and insights...

I told my wife to short Proctor and Gamble tomorrow. At least for a day or so.


Over in Gillette's YouTube page, this has 76K dislikes and over 220k comments, all negative. And this is after they are deleting comments like crazy.

I am open to being instructed for better behavior from people I respect. Gillette and Inga are not in that group. And I am pretty much lectured out.

This may or may not be a culturally significant video. But women had best hope that it is quickly forgotten because men are getting tired of the lectures.

FIDO said...

Since I posted that last comment, the dislikes climbed from 79k to 83k. That was five minutes.

Um...Althouse, you might have wept at that commercial, but let's just say that this is a personal reaction, not a broad one.

Howard said...

I view this type of advertising the same way that I view our president the scumbag cont Donald Trump. Having more of this type of garbage crapped all over the media is what will drive it back down into the remote corner of the world that it belongs. It's like one Trump offered to cut back FEMA funding for the red counties in California devastated by the fires well my liberal friends were upset I was highly encouraged because it showed his unabashed weakness and impotence by throwing a feminine style temper tantrum but that's the shitt what appeals to you cook holds the most is his femininity and it reaches your inner femininity that you are ashamed of and try to keep bottled up but you can't help but let it out every time you call for sending in the Marines

Wisco said...

A gunman took two women hostage at a UPS center today - one was his ex-girlfriend. But yeah, toxic masculinity is some crazy idea lefties made up.

Drago said...

Inga: "Interesting how 95% of the comments on this thread prove that the depiction of some men in the video is actually right on point, too bad so many of you don’t accept the challenge of “Be Best”."

This comment is offered up by a person who had to be dragged kicking and screaming over a year to grudgingly concede that perhaps attempted mass murder of republican congressmen on a baseball field is wrong.

Also a person who fiercely defended the out and out open anti-semite leadership of the womens march.

Also someone who steadfastly refuses to criticize islamic supremacists and their action.

Also a person who refuses to criticize MS13 murderers.

But, you know, "be best"....

tomaig said...


Gillette is owned by the guy who owns the Patriots, if that was not clear.

No, it's not. Gillette paid for the naming rights to the new stadium, but Bob Kraft doesn't "own" Gillette.

Drago said...

Terry Canaan: "A gunman took two women hostage at a UPS center today - one was his ex-girlfriend. But yeah, toxic masculinity is some crazy idea lefties made up."

80% of female "refugees" coming up through Mexico are raped.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5806972/amp

But yeah, Trump is, like, totally conjuring up a migrant rape epidemic.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/the-fix/wp/2018/04/05/trump-conjures-yet-another-immigrant-rape-epidemic/

Inga...Allie Oop said...

Drago, are you lonely for Chuck? Also, why do you lie and exaggerate so much? Not a very masculine or honorable thing to do, in fact you remind me of a little bitch who is always in a state of high dudgeon.

Gk1 said...

Maybe Budlight can top this advertising fail by preaching the virtues of sitting down to pee like all good neutered males are doing in Europe?

mockturtle said...

Is anyone else get irritated at the over-representation of "people of color" on US TV commercials?

Is this ad International? Because I'd say White men are severely under-represented.


It's liable to have unintended consequences. People of color might think, "Shit, this can't be much good if white folks don't use it".

tomaig said...

what mockturtle said...
I sometimes feel like Gene Wilder, having to ask, "Are we...Black?"

walter said...

From article comments:

Subscriber
29 minutes ago
My wife's boyfriend loves this new direction P&G is taking!!
--
Ouch! Drago! You ok?
Interesting how 95% of Inga's retorts are broad brush ad hominem.
It's like she and PPPT pass a baton.

dreams said...

"Is anyone else get irritated at the over-representation of "people of color" on US TV commercials?"

I've noticed a lot of commercials lately of white guys with black wives or black girlfriends which isn't representative of our demographics but obviously their intent is to change that.

dreams said...

Meanwhile the male sperm count keep dropping. Pussy-wussy, wimp and pussy, or short for pussy-wussy, reduplication of pussy, yeah.

Drago said...

Inga: "Drago, are you lonely for Chuck?"

"Chuck" who?

Henry said...

I'd like to see that ad redone with Cake's "I will survive as the soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KJjVMqNIgA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=koPmuEyP3a0

Put the Gillette ad on mute and queue it up.

Drago said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drago said...

Inga: "Also, why do you lie and exaggerate so much?"

Hoax Golden Dossier Girl would like to take a moment to advise others not to lie or exaggerate.

Discuss.

Drago said...

Inga: "Also, why do you lie and exaggerate so much?"

Gal who called Trump a treasonous traitor would like to take a moment to advise others not to lie or exaggerate.

Discuss.

Drago said...

Inga: "Also, why do you lie and exaggerate so much?"

Gal who called all Trump voters nazis would like to take a moment to advise
others not to lie or exaggerate.

Discuss.

Drago said...

Inga: "Also, why do you lie and exaggerate so much?"

Gal who called Brett Kavanaugh a rapist would like to take a moment to advise others not to lie or exaggerate.

Discuss.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

JIM TREACHER: Gillette Tells Men They’re Repulsive Creeps. Now Give Them Your Money, You Piece of Garbage. “Our society has come a long way in shaming men for behaving in any way that anybody anywhere doesn’t like, and reminding men that we’re all complicit even if we don’t behave that way. But it’s not nearly enough. The mere fact of maleness is shameful and problematic. Men and boys everywhere need to be reminded that we’re evil. We must learn to hate ourselves as much as everyone else hates us. The patriarchy must be castrated. And who better to do it than a company that makes razors?”

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