Does Sex Sell?

The topic came up with a group of my friends. We saw a tidbit on one of the entertainment shows that Victoria's Secret may be covering up - meaning toning down their new ad campaign. It seems that they feel they are getting too "sexy"and not gearing enough towards the sophisticated side of marketing their lingerie. I do get the Victoria's Secret catalogue and some of the pictorials seem a bit over the top - especially when my daughter is by my side and wants to get a glimpse at the "pretty" girls. I have to turn the pages quickly or just look at the catalogue when she is not in the room.

There are several marketing companies that use sex to sell their products. Have you watched ESPN lately? If not you are missing out on some of the 'hottest" commercials on television. Sexual appeal is not only selling lingerie but beer, chips, cars, water and many other consumer products. Did you see the Paris Hilton ad for burgers? I do not like Paris Hilton - never met her but I just think she is a dumb blond that lives off of daddy's money and the money she has made the last few years with her silly television show and commercials - well, maybe she is not so dumb after all! The commercial brought a lot of attention and I am sure it has been credited with increased burger sales to the establishment, Carl's Jr. If you you have not seen the commercial here it is - sorry if it offends some of you but this is all relative to my article.





My question is...Are you more prone to watch a commercial that is "sexy" - not flip the station - or do you still flip through the stations even when you stumble on a commercial with sexual appeal? I will be honest - I like to watch the commercials. I am an attractive (at least I think so), married woman who likes a bit of eye candy once in awhile. There are two sides - attraction to the men and attraction to the women. I like the commercials where the guys are usually shaving or putting on deodorant. Those commercials usually show a buff guy in a towel. I respect those guys...I know they are just actors doing their job but it took dedication and a lot of hard work to get their bodies in that condition. As long as my kids are not in the room I do not feel a need - or want to switch the channel.

Sex appeal sells because it attracts the attention to the viewers. When marketing "sexual" appeal with your product you must make sure it is done in good taste and not offensive. If there is a way to make it connect to the product you are showing that is a plus! You also have to take into consideration your "branding" of your product, company and/or name. Do not let this type of advertising tarnish what you have worked so hard to establish.

In its February 2008 issue, Playboy ranked the 21 sexiest commercials of all time. There are commercial from 1967 for Noxzema, as well as, the infamous DORITOS 3D ad in 1998 with ALI LANDRY. Of course, Victoria's Secret made the list as well.