Apple iPod Shuffle Advert: Was This Really Necessary Mr. Jobs?

I've always admired Apple's advertising campaigns - sleek, funny and cool. Apple adverts, especially their television commercials, tend to appeal to your vanities - the desire to be seen as young, urban and hip. They also tend to stay with you long after you've viewed them which is precisely what good advertising is supposed to do. I suppose that's why I was so utterly turned off when I saw the latest television spot for the iPod Shuffle - the one known simply around the internet as the "dumb blond/pregnancy test commercial". It depicts a woman who mistakes an iPod Shuffle for a pregnancy test with predictable results. It's sexist, outdated and juvenile. To the extent that advertising is in fact an extension of popular culture, what are we to surmise from this advert about Apple's views on women?

Normally, I tend to let such instances of "frat boy" humor roll off my back but this time, I can't seem to let it go. Perhaps it's because I'm still digesting the wave of sexism unfurled on the very first (and to date the only) viable woman candidate for the U.S. presidency. Perhaps it's because this latest political cycle has confirmed that it's unacceptable to be openly racist (thankfully) but still perfectly acceptable to be brazenly sexist. Or, perhaps it's just because I've been a very loyal Apple customer for as far back as I can remember and I don't appreciate being disrespected by a company who has made a fair bit of money off of me over the years. Maybe, Apple should stop designing products that look like the little sticks you're meant to pee on to determine whether you're pregnant or not. Or, maybe women should just stop buying Apple products. Judge for yourselves.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Oh really Mr. Jobs?

Comments

[Helene]

Thanks for your comment Xavier. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

If you're indeed correct, then I think Apple may want to revise its policy on the matter of spoofs. I doubt they would be taking a laissez-faire view of things if the would-be spoof involved racial undertones or were somehow targeting a religious minority.

As for Apple not having the time to address matters of this nature, once again I beg to differ. Apple has an entire PR department at its headquarters in Cupertino as well as local PR departments throughout Europe and Asia. Apple also seems to have all the time (and resources) in the world to pursue anyone inclined to use a logo having even a remote similarity to its own. Its a matter of priorities.

Helene

[Xavier Watson]

This is DEFINITELY NOT an official Apple advert. This is a spoof made by comedian Lance Krall. Apple doesn't take down every spoof commercial on youtube. There's not that much time in the world.

[Helene]

Perhaps you're right Randall. This said, too many companies "plant" seemingly amateurish videos on YouTube as part of gorilla marketing or viral marketing campaigns. If you're indeed correct and this is not an actual Apple advert, then I would think that the company's PR department would have had it taken down by now or at the very least denounced it as not representing views held by the company. I'm aware of no such effort on the part of Apple.

Thanks for your comment.

Helene

[Randall]

I have to say, I thought this commercial was a student project as opposed to something from apple. The production quality is just not to the level that apple would normally release. Plus the ending has a non apple bit under the logo and then under that unfamiliar text appears a bizarre swoosh underscoring geture.