Selling Hamburgers with XXX TV Ads with Kate Upton
The American Family Association is a sort of conservative group that tries to retain the values of families on a variety of issues. Their latest campaign is regarding the Carls jr. and Hardee TV ad for their Southwest burger. The star of the ad is Kate Upton, most known for the Sport Illustrated swimsuit issue and a few movies she has been. She is an up and coming star, but as of today, most have never heard of her but may know her by her looks.
The AFA states that the TV ad portrays women in a bad manner and it borders of porn. Whether you agree or not, I wonder why either hamburger giant wanted to portray their product in such light. Obviously, they think nothing is wrong with it or the "sex selling hamburgers" approach. Does the ad make you want to buy a meat (of course, the sexual connotation is present) and devour it in compromising positions? Does the ad entice women (may those who are gay) to go get it from Carls Jr.? What about the kids who see this on TV and the impression they get about females? Hmm, hamburgers and women equals sex?
Just thinking out loud here. The ad itself is "OK" ( I guess) until the near-soft porn shots at the end, which, actually shocked me, especially the LAST one, which can only convey one suggestion to a teen or older viewer. I wonder where this TV ad aired and at what time. Maybe their target audience was men during a TV show mostly viewed by men? I just think it is going a little toooo far.
After you view it, if you feel compelled, send the VP of Carl's Jr. marketing a complaint at:
Brad Haley, executive vice-president of marketing. His email address is bhaley@ckr.com. His direct office phone number is 314-259-6225.
The company info is:
CKE Restaurants - Hardee's, Carl's Jr.
Chairman William P. Foley II
3916 State St., Ste. 300
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Phone: 1-805-745-7500
Fax: 714-490-3695
- CKE Restaurants
Carl's jr and Hardees site