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People Are Throwing Away Their Gillette Products After The Company Releases A Controversial Ad
People Are Throwing Away Their Gillette Products After The Company Releases A Controversial Ad
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People Are Throwing Away Their Gillette Products After The Company Releases A Controversial Ad

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Recently, the brand Gillette, known for their men’s shaving products, has caused controversy due to their new TV commercial which addresses the MeToo movement, sexual harassment, and bullying. The new controversial ad uses the same tagline that the company has been using for the past 30 years – “The best a man can get.” But this time, it took on a completely new vision which got some of Gillette’s customers angry and confused, as some have called out the brand for “insulting their user base.”

RELATED:

    Gillette’s newest commercial isn’t about shaving or razors – this time it focuses on social issues, such as toxic masculinity and the #MeToo movement

    Image credits: Gillette

    The brand released an ad campaign addressing the problems, which have been discussed openly in recent years. The video opens up with Idris Elba and other men in close-up shots with a voice-over audible in the background: “Bullying, the ‘MeToo’ movement against sexual harassment, toxic masculinity, is this the best a man can get?” a voice asks rhetorically, followed by an image of angry teenagers chasing another boy.

    The ad features images of bullying, mansplaining, and catcalling

    Image credits: Gillette

    The ad for this commercial campaign was released on Sunday and already has almost 600,000 dislikes in comparison to 223,000 likes on its official Youtube video. One comment after another, people are denouncing Gillette’s products and many are wondering whether the use of controversial topics as a marketing strategy has gone too far.

    Pankaj Bhalla, Gillette’s North America brand director told media that “Actually a discussion is necessary. If we don’t talk about it, I don’t think real change will happen”

    Image credits: Gillette

    He expressed his hopes that men who watch the video will be inspired to be role models for young children and will teach them how to stand up to bad behavior and treat people with respect.

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    Towards the end of the video, the narrator says that “something has finally changed,” referencing to the #MeToo movement

    Image credits: Gillette

    It then goes on to show Terry Crews, who’s known to have experienced sexual assault, saying that “men need to hold other men accountable.” The commercial then takes a different turn and shows men standing up to inappropriate behavior. The voice-over continues: “To say the right thing, to act the right way. Some already are – in ways big and small. But ‘some’ is not enough. Because the boys watching today will be the men of tomorrow.”

    See the ad that has caused so much controversy and has already received almost 600k dislikes

    Image credits: Gillette

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    The commercial has caused quite an uproar and some public personas took it to Twitter to express their disapproval – some in the form of jokes

    Image credits: CHSommers

    Image credits: rickygervais

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    However, it is worth mentioning that Ricky Gervais later added, that he wasn’t opposing to the ad itself, but rather just making an innocent joke.

    But some people were downright angry

    Image credits: RealCandaceO

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    Image credits: jordanbpeterson

    Image credits: GadSaad

    And of course, Piers Morgan shared his views as well, which has angered some people

    Image credits: piersmorgan

    Image credits: piersmorgan

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    Those who are opposed to bashing and boycotting Gillette, say that those offended by the ad are ‘part of the problem’

    Image credits: DGComedy

    Image credits: AndrewPStreet

    Image credits: LukeCostin

    Image credits: bryanbehar

    In case you feel a little lost, somebody asked on Reddit “Why are people mad about the Gillette ad?” and here are some answers

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    Neringa Utaraitė

    Neringa Utaraitė

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

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    Neringa Utaraitė

    Neringa Utaraitė

    Author, Community member

    Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

    What do you think ?
    Park, Rin
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The people who hate this add scare me. It's literally telling people to not be toxic. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. A man telling another man what they're doing is wrong isn't sexist, it's the first guy being mature and holding others accountable. It's called being a good person and if that offends you, theirs the door. App-5c3e56...0db34.jpeg App-5c3e56680db34.jpeg

    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Michal, How many of this 'feminist' that you bash have raped of killed men? We have in Spain already 5 women this year (in less than 20 days) killed by their male partners. Last week two men raped a 12yo girl... I could keep going...

    Load More Replies...
    CP1986
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this was a quality ad, raising a current social issue in an interesting way. Way too go Gillette!

    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always find amusing how this kind of men who trow tantrums for such small things are later the ones to say 'everybody gets ofended for everythibg nowadays'

    bob
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bah, it's always the same, hey. It's a strategy that's been around forever. A strategy that's been used by none other than the president of the then strongest country in the world to get elected. It works quite well.

    Load More Replies...
    Perryn Stert
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So what if it's only a marketing ploy? It's not like they're using neo-nazi propoganda to sell razors. Even if they don't mean a thing in what they say, the message is true and doesn't harm anyone.

    bob
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh but it harms the insecure. Look at poor Kevin. Looks like his whole world is collapsing around him. Must be pretty distressing.

    Load More Replies...
    Stille20
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honest to God, I don't understand why people got mad at this ad. Like you might feel like it's pandering to a movement, but if it makes you not want to buy all P&G products....for real, what are you so mad at?

    danielw
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and if instead this had been an add about toxic femininity? (I suppose that could be a thing... no idea what it'd look like though...) would that not offend?

    Load More Replies...
    JD Cassavaugh
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not understanding the "just sell your product and don't get socially involved" attitudes. Don't these people want companies to show some humanity, some dynamism? This is hardly the first advert to align itself with with a social issue. The fact that it was a positive message seems to be ignored, which tells me that some people just want to be upset no matter what.

    Smoky Doggg
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they want to show humanity perhaps they should start elsewhere. Nike did a lot of virtue signaling while employing child labor and sweatshop labor all over Asia. "But we're good guys! Trust us! Ignore the 8 year old Asian child that cuts his hand making our shoes for pennies a day!"

    Load More Replies...
    Lazy Panda
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it’s a great ad. It’s a shame so many people just don’t get it

    Susan
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes it is a great ad, and everyone gets it my friend. It's just that there are way too many horrible people in this world.

    Load More Replies...
    kat lia
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was rewatching Seinfeld and Cheers and i bet if those shows are aired today it will definitely be cancelled.

    r3dd3v1lL
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not to mention Married with Children. I can just see public burnings of effigies of Al Bundy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgDtgyzVZYk

    Load More Replies...
    Jen Greenlees
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand the uproar on this. isn't it exactly what we are telling men in real life? Don't bully, don't sexually assault, don't sexual harass. Why is it different just because it is in a commercial? Why is it wrong when a company is talking about it? Honestly, i just don't get it.. This is the behavior we are saying we want men to stop, yet here is a respected company saying the same thing and they are getting boycotted? and ridiculed? why? Really fraggin strange

    KCN
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this is an awesome video. Be a good person, a better person. Break away from the stereotypes of decades past.

    Load More Comments
    Park, Rin
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The people who hate this add scare me. It's literally telling people to not be toxic. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. A man telling another man what they're doing is wrong isn't sexist, it's the first guy being mature and holding others accountable. It's called being a good person and if that offends you, theirs the door. App-5c3e56...0db34.jpeg App-5c3e56680db34.jpeg

    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Michal, How many of this 'feminist' that you bash have raped of killed men? We have in Spain already 5 women this year (in less than 20 days) killed by their male partners. Last week two men raped a 12yo girl... I could keep going...

    Load More Replies...
    CP1986
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this was a quality ad, raising a current social issue in an interesting way. Way too go Gillette!

    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always find amusing how this kind of men who trow tantrums for such small things are later the ones to say 'everybody gets ofended for everythibg nowadays'

    bob
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bah, it's always the same, hey. It's a strategy that's been around forever. A strategy that's been used by none other than the president of the then strongest country in the world to get elected. It works quite well.

    Load More Replies...
    Perryn Stert
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So what if it's only a marketing ploy? It's not like they're using neo-nazi propoganda to sell razors. Even if they don't mean a thing in what they say, the message is true and doesn't harm anyone.

    bob
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh but it harms the insecure. Look at poor Kevin. Looks like his whole world is collapsing around him. Must be pretty distressing.

    Load More Replies...
    Stille20
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honest to God, I don't understand why people got mad at this ad. Like you might feel like it's pandering to a movement, but if it makes you not want to buy all P&G products....for real, what are you so mad at?

    danielw
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and if instead this had been an add about toxic femininity? (I suppose that could be a thing... no idea what it'd look like though...) would that not offend?

    Load More Replies...
    JD Cassavaugh
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not understanding the "just sell your product and don't get socially involved" attitudes. Don't these people want companies to show some humanity, some dynamism? This is hardly the first advert to align itself with with a social issue. The fact that it was a positive message seems to be ignored, which tells me that some people just want to be upset no matter what.

    Smoky Doggg
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they want to show humanity perhaps they should start elsewhere. Nike did a lot of virtue signaling while employing child labor and sweatshop labor all over Asia. "But we're good guys! Trust us! Ignore the 8 year old Asian child that cuts his hand making our shoes for pennies a day!"

    Load More Replies...
    Lazy Panda
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it’s a great ad. It’s a shame so many people just don’t get it

    Susan
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes it is a great ad, and everyone gets it my friend. It's just that there are way too many horrible people in this world.

    Load More Replies...
    kat lia
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was rewatching Seinfeld and Cheers and i bet if those shows are aired today it will definitely be cancelled.

    r3dd3v1lL
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not to mention Married with Children. I can just see public burnings of effigies of Al Bundy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgDtgyzVZYk

    Load More Replies...
    Jen Greenlees
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand the uproar on this. isn't it exactly what we are telling men in real life? Don't bully, don't sexually assault, don't sexual harass. Why is it different just because it is in a commercial? Why is it wrong when a company is talking about it? Honestly, i just don't get it.. This is the behavior we are saying we want men to stop, yet here is a respected company saying the same thing and they are getting boycotted? and ridiculed? why? Really fraggin strange

    KCN
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this is an awesome video. Be a good person, a better person. Break away from the stereotypes of decades past.

    Load More Comments
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