IRFU angered by a bit of flesh

mathie

http://blog.marketing.ie/?p=2717

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has made contact through its solicitors with Largo Foods, makers of Hunky Dorys crisps, and asked that they immediately withdraw the current ad campaign, the strap line for which claims Hunky Dorys to be ‘proud sponsors of Irish rugby’.

Padraig Power, commercial and marketing director, IRFU, said the Hunky Dory campaign is in “very bad taste and one which the IRFU would not want to be associated with in any way”. Power said it was blatant exploitation of women, tasteless and base.

Power said the ad was “unacceptable”. Irish rugby had a strong family focus and would not tolerate any connection with such an approach. The claim that the product is a ‘proud sponsor of Irish rugby’ implies that the brand is a significant sponsor of the game in this country.

“This is absolutely untrue and a cynical ploy in an attempt to capitalise on the games popularity,” Power added. “By doing so it has the potential to undermine the legitimate claims of the many genuine sponsors and supporters of Irish rugby.”

As well as pursuing the campaign’s withdrawal through legal means the IRFU is also writing to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASAI). Power said the hope was that Largo Foods will immediately withdraw the ad.

The ad, which uses images sourced from the US, was booked to run on posters from this week. Hunky Dorys sponsored the WBA world championship fight between Bernard Dunne and Ricardo Cordoba last year.

Ray Coyle, chief executive, Largo Foods, said the reference to ‘proud sponsors of Irish rugby’ relates to his company’s support for the Navan rugby team. He was surprised that people regarded the ads as sexist.

Now I'm all for equality but I'm also all for b00bs so I'm internally conflicted...

the drifter

the IRFU can f*ck off..............

topper75

As a redblooded male - I love the ad - and almost crashed on seeing it.:D

I can see the IRFU's point though. They are custodians of the game here and lots of women love playing and watching rugby. A bit cheeky too with the tagline when it is only Navan they sponsor.

Doctor DooM

mathie wrote: »

http://blog.marketing.ie/?p=2717



Now I'm all for equality but I'm also all for b00bs so I'm internally conflicted...

It's a common misconception that you can't have one without the other.

jonsnow

the best ad campaign in many a year.and theres nothing like a bit of controversy to promote the brand.

genericguy

brian o driscoll is a tit and he's allowed be on ads...

Donkey Oaty

I thought it'd be something about hookers.

Rugby is indeed a game governed by men with oddly-shaped morals.

WindSock

topper75 wrote: »

As a redblooded male - I love the ad - and almost crashed on seeing it.:D

I can see the IRFU's point though. They are custodians of the game here and lots of women love playing and watching rugby. A bit cheeky too with the tagline when it is only Navan they sponsor.

As a redblooded female, the ad can go fck itself

Well I am not seeing the connection with sexily semi-clad women, rugby and crisps.

chin_grin

If they can put up a poster of what looks like a man being sodomised in the hole (that 12 Nation Army one. I have to laugh whenever I see it. And yes I know what that says about me......too much pr0nz), I don't see the problem with this one.

Although it makes absolutely no sense from a colloquialism-ic way. What does it mean "are you staring at my crisps?". Could they not have come up with "feel the crunch?", ah advertising. You b*llocks.

El Siglo

In this day and age, fucking ridiculous of the IRFU. It's a bit of tit, women have them, big fucking deal.

WindSock

El Siglo wrote: »

In this day and age, fucking ridiculous of the IRFU. It's a bit of tit, women have them, big fucking deal.

And women also enjoy rugby. Rugby is a decent game that is not marred by this kind of crap. It would be nice not to have to put up with seeing the objectification of women for at least one sport.

eoferrall

Is it not that they say proud sponsors of Irish Rugby when they do not sponsor the irish rugby team at all? the rest is just in addition and IRFU wouldn't care if hunky dorys weren't making false claims on the ad?

Roar

it's not so much about the ad, it's that hunky dory's are claiming to be an official partner of irish rugby in it, however they haven't paid any money to the IRFU to become an official partner, so in that case the IRFU are dead right..

either way, job done by the ad! we're talking about it now!

cournioni

eoferrall wrote: »

Is it not that they say proud sponsors of Irish Rugby when they do not sponsor the irish rugby team at all? the rest is just in addition and IRFU wouldn't care if hunky dorys weren't making false claims on the ad?

They sponsor a team in Navan... Maybe thats what they mean.

ibarelycare

I'm a girl who likes rugby, and I love that ad! I saw it yesterday for the first time while driving and it WAS pretty distracting...it's hawt! Reminiscent of the famous Hello Boys ad campaign.

lisbon_lions

Jesus can Hunky Dory not catch a break? First it was the complaints for the 'kick out of bed' ads from the feminist/ugly bint brigade - now its these cracking ads coming under fire from the IRFU!

Lets take to the quays in protest at the IRFU.

eightyfish

They probably would have gotten away with it if they hadn't said ‘proud sponsors of Irish rugby’ on the ads.

biko

Very English ad, but so is the game of ruggers.

mike65

I notice the Irish Times has allows the viewer to magnify the image.

eoferrall

PORNAPSTER wrote: »

They sponsor a team in Navan... Maybe thats what they mean.

Ha! don't know if Powerade etc would be happy with that enabling they to state it - hence IRFU protecting their advertisers (and IRFU's advertising revenue!:p)

Doctor DooM

WindSock wrote: »

And women also enjoy rugby. Rugby is a decent game that is not marred by this kind of crap. It would be nice not to have to put up with seeing the objectification of women for at least one sport.

Now mostly I agree with this perspective, but why is huge muscely men straining themselves (often with their tops off) in advertising perfectly acceptable and has been for years and this is not?


Now don't get me wrong. Advertising is a scummy industry, and yes the IRFU have a valid point in that they don't sponsor them. But you know, I am a big fan of equality, but I really mean equality.

Sure there's bigger, more evil cases of sexism and bigotry to be dealt with than this.

Kiith

mike65 wrote: »

I notice the Irish Times has allows the viewer to magnify the image.

You tell us this and dont post a link? Shame on you!

TheZohanS

the drifter wrote: »

the IRFU can f*ck off..............

Hunky Dorys can f*ck right off.

You have to pay to become an official sponsor of the IRFU and that sponsorship money goes back into the game. Hunky Dorys are being cheap ba$tards.

ibarelycare

Sex sells, plain and simple. I really don't see the big deal. Men are also objectified in the same way. Take, for instance, Dolce & Gabbana. They're using five Italian footballers in the run up to the World Cup in this ad (swoon!) I can't see there being a similar outcry over that.

Trashbat

Rugby is a broad term to describe a Code change to football.

The IRFU represent a sport called "Rugby Union". They have nothing to do with another sport called "Rugby League", and thus have no claim over the word Rugby.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

They are angry because they know they will never ever get close to a girl as hot as that.

WindSock

Doctor DooM wrote: »

Now mostly I agree with this perspective, but why is huge muscely men straining themselves (often with their tops off) in advertising perfectly acceptable and has been for years and this is not?

I don't know, why is it?

Now don't get me wrong. Advertising is a scummy industry, and yes the IRFU have a valid point in that they don't sponsor them. But you know, I am a big fan of equality, but I really mean equality.

What's that got to do with it? Do you not think I don't?

Sure there's bigger, more evil cases of sexism and bigotry to be dealt with than this.

There sure are. Doesn't mean I can't dislike an ad claiming to promote the only sport I actually respect.

mike65

Kiith wrote: »

You tell us this and dont post a link? Shame on you!

Sorry!

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0428/1224269221337.html

They appear to be wearing Aussie Rules (redux) attire

bonerm

I didn't realise the IRFU owned the right to the phrase "proud sponsors of Irish Rugby".

Fúck them and fúck their new Aviva Stadium. Shower of moneygrabbing cúnts.

super_furry

Honestly, I think it's crass, sexist, tacky and lacking in any subtlety at all.

Here's some semi-naked girl, buy our crisps!

mathie

super_furry wrote: »

Honestly, I think it's crass, sexist, tacky and lacking in any subtlety at all.

Here's some semi-naked girl, buy our crisps!

Pretty much the dictionary definition of 'Advertising'

beanyb

The ads are tacky, and clearly not very clever. But I dont understand the uproar at all. It's just some boobs. All the complaints are doing is increasing coverage of the brand. They couldnt have gotten better publicity if they intended for all this outrage to happen, and who knows, maybe they did.

AnonoBoy

Mediocre ad in mediocrity shocker!

A bit of cleavage does not a genius advertising campaign make.


The people defending the ad are almost as funny as the people getting worked up about it.

Oh My Gawd! It's so Hot! I can't believe it! I had to scrape my jaw off the floor!

Some models are wearing tight clothes! Big f*cking deal! Every day there's bikini clad models selling us insurance, betting sites or incontinence nappies in the papers.

phill106

super_furry wrote: »

Honestly, I think it's crass, sexist, tacky and lacking in any subtlety at all.

Agreed, I am glad other companies wouldn't stoop to showing half naked people advertising their products.


*Sips diet coke, as he takes a break from construction work*

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

biko wrote: »

Very English ad, but so is the game of ruggers.

Your point being?

WindSock wrote: »

I don't know, why is it?




What's that got to do with it? Do you not think I don't?



There sure are. Doesn't mean I can't dislike an ad claiming to promote the only sport I actually respect.

What exactly is your problem with the add?

The models are showing a bit of flesh, nothing out of the ordinary. They are not topless or bottomless, which would make for a better ad, but the conservatives and christians would be completely outraged at that.

Then marketing rugby as a "family" sport... lol.

Doctor DooM

WindSock wrote: »

I don't know, why is it?




What's that got to do with it? Do you not think I don't?



There sure are. Doesn't mean I can't dislike an ad claiming to promote the only sport I actually respect.

In your first post you claim you don't want a sport which you admire to be "marred by this kind of crap". You could argue it has been for a while, just not with women.

Just for the record I think it's a cacky ad too.

WindSock

Angelique Tiny Stowaway wrote: »

What exactly is your problem with the add?

The models are showing a bit of flesh, nothing out of the ordinary. They are not topless or bottomless, which would make for a better ad, but the conservatives and christians would be completely outraged at that.

Then marketing rugby as a "family" sport... lol.

I just don't like the ad. Sure there are semi naked women advertising everything else. I don't like those ads either. I don't like this more as it is promoting a sport that I like. I like the sport as it is not crass like other sports imo.
Not only that, but the Irish Womens Rugby gets feck all promotion, then we have to see a bunch of tits and asses that are from overseas using the sport to promote a package of crisps.

I am not outraged, I am not worked up, I just don't like the ad. Is that ok?

orourkeda

I wont be buying hunky dorys because theres a rugby ball in them.

stupid f*ckin' game.

WindSock

Doctor DooM wrote: »

In your first post you claim you don't want a sport which you admire to be "marred by this kind of crap". You could argue it has been for a while, just not with women.

Are the men objectified in the other ads or glorified? They are also the rugby players in the other ads. However if men feel that they are being objectified in the ad and don't like it, then I support that.

NothingMan

ibarelycare wrote: »

I'm a girl who likes rugby, and I love that ad! I saw it yesterday for the first time while driving and it WAS pretty distracting...it's hawt! Reminiscent of the famous Hello Boys ad campaign.

and this one from a while back.

ibarelycare wrote: »

I'd like to have sex as a bloke....doggy style

Hmm, Someone has some tendencies. Have you ever 'experimented'? If so, are there videos?

ibarelycare

NothingMan wrote: »

and this one from a while back.



Hmm, Someone has some tendencies. Have you ever 'experimented'? If so, are there videos?

I'm just a straight girl who also appreciates the female form

< . <
> . >

orourkeda

topper75 wrote: »

As a redblooded male - I love the ad - and almost crashed on seeing it.:D

I can see the IRFU's point though. They are custodians of the game here and lots of women love playing and watching rugby. A bit cheeky too with the tagline when it is only Navan they sponsor.

Get off the road

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

WindSock wrote: »

I just don't like the ad. Sure there are semi naked women advertising everything else. I don't like those ads either. I don't like this more as it is promoting a sport that I like. I like the sport as it is not crass like other sports imo.
Not only that, but the Irish Womens Rugby gets feck all promotion, then we have to see a bunch of tits and asses that are from overseas using the sport to promote a package of crisps.

I am not outraged, I am not worked up, I just don't like the ad. Is that ok?

I like the sport too, but I care not for the adverts of the sport really. I'm no rugby expert but it's the only sport I will watch properly.

The approach is cheap, tacky etc etc, but it's what gets you looking at the adverts that counts. This sport is male dominant, no doubt. These women are very attractive to most men, people will look at these adverts and fantasize about them.

It's business, womens rugby is not as lucrative as mens rugby, it's not even nearly as competative or appealing (believe it or not). Like most male dominant sports, the female counterparts dwell in their shadow. Capatilsm is not very nice.

Is that ok? Sure it's ok for you to dislike something, I am only asking to dissolve the assumptions my subconcious is making.

General Zod

Advertisment gets people talking about the company in the advert. News at 11.

eoinbn

For some reason they covered this on 'The last word' yesterday. Some woman was ranting and raving about how it was degrading to women's rugby and what not.

I don't know, why is it?

Because men are less hypocritical than women? Women have no problem wearing low cut tops, short skirts, tight jeans and heels to draw attention to themselves on a night out, but when the same principal is used in an advert it's exploitation of women!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

eoinbn wrote: »

For some reason they covered this on 'The last word' yesterday. Some woman was ranting and raving about how it was degrading to women's rugby and what not.



Because men are less hypocritical than women? Women have no problem wearing low cut tops, short skirts, tight jeans and heels to draw attention to themselves on a night out, but when the same principal is used in an advert it's exploitation of women!

That's because the women giving out about it are ugly fat slags who are simply jealous, and then take it upon themselves to speak on behalf of all women. Cheeky selfish beatches...

eightyfish

General Zod wrote: »

Advertisment gets people talking about the company in the advert. News at 11.

To be honest I didn't even know the ad was for crisps, and I've seen it dozens of times already. I'm a King man anyway.

Jip

Where's the campaign to ban the diet Coke ads ? But they're only mild, the following advertisement for Aero Bubbles is absolutely disgusting and I think a boycott is needed, where's the facebook campaign page for this ?

Oh wait, sexism is only sexist when a woman is involved, in todays society it's totally acceptable for a man to be shown as a sex object for all the durty wimmins fantasys.

eightyfish

BTW I can't wrote, I don't agree with either option. Where's the "Yes, they shouldn't be claiming to be official sponsors of Irish rugby when they're not but really the ad is just dumb." choice?

Rothmans

Trashbat wrote: »

Rugby is a broad term to describe a Code change to football.

The IRFU represent a sport called "Rugby Union". They have nothing to do with another sport called "Rugby League", and thus have no claim over the word Rugby.

When one refers to rugby (in this country especially), they refer to rugby Union. If one is refering to league they say rugby league, not just rugby. In the minds of the vast vast majority of Irish people, rugby is the rugby that is broadcasted on rte etc, ie rugby union

WindSock

Jip wrote: »

Where's the campaign to ban the diet Coke ads ? But they're only mild, the following advertisement for Aero Bubbles is absolutely disgusting and I think a boycott is needed, where's the facebook campaign page for this ?

I don't know, where is the campaign? Set one up if you feel so strongly about it.

Oh wait, sexism is only sexist when a woman is involved, in todays society it's totally acceptable for a man to be shown as a sex object for all the durty wimmins fantasys.

Says who?