Everyone
knows that modern media are very
competitive. Nowadays, people
at every stage of their lives are
literally bombarded with a variety of visual images; from
art and advertising to movies and television. Therefore,
because we live in a visually-saturated culture, modern
media have a difficult task to do to draw people’s attention.
Since depicting nudity, especially undressed women, has always been
‘eye-catching’ for human beings, thus
it should not be a surprise that over
the last few years controversy and nudity have become necessary to
get people’s attention.
One
of the best known animal rights organization
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals
—in short PETA— has always rolled out very creative and visible,
yet, highly controversial campaigns to struggle towards animals’
rights. PETA promotes not only vegetarianism but also raises
awareness of cruelty to animals.
Most
famously PETA is known for their risqué ads featuring nude or
scantily clad women and now also men. The idea behind PETA’s
campaign is usually to protest how humans use animals in inhuman ways
for eating, clothing or even for their own entertainment.
As
we all known modern media have become very competing, thus showing
the female’s and male’s ”objectification” and the nudity is,
to some extent, essential and necessary to attract people’s
attention
In
advertisements both women and men have become the objects to be
looked at, however, the way in which we look at them are diverse. For
instance, when men do appear in the nude in PETA campaigns, their ads
tend to be ironic, funny, humorous, and full of personality.
 |
| PETA, “Wear Your Own Fur” 2011
On
the other hand, women in PETA’s campaigns are mainly seen as sexual
objects and “animals”. For instance, Pamela Anderson is not only
presented as human flesh in the PETA’s campaign, but also as a
sensual object, to attract more men’s “gazes”.
|
 |
| PETA, “All Animals Have The Same Parts” 2010 |
Although
many people believe that PETA’s campaigns are controversial and
“exploit” and “objectify” male and female human bodies, hey
do it for an important issue—to bring attention to the plight of
animals.
PETA's
mission is to get the animal rights message to as many people as
possible. Unfortunately, these days this is a hard task, thus PETA
decided that the best way to attract people is to show “sex”,
“nudity” and human objectification in its campaigns.
Indeed,
I believe that PETA does some very good work bringing issues
concerning animal rights to the media, and by extension the public’s
attention.
Therefore,
I believe that whether you like their methods or not, PETA does get
noticed and that is the most important thing.
Questions:
- What do you think of PETA organisation and its campaigns? Do you think that PETA's campaigns have any impact on society?
- PETA often involve celebrities in their Animal Rights Causes. Do you believe that it is a good practice to involve famous people in their campaigns? Can you think of any advantages/ disadvantages of celebrity activism?
- Do you agree with the statement that in the modern media controversy, sex and nudity have become necessary to draw people's attention?
I think PETA has a specific approach to animals. Their campaigns are recognized and people talk about them. From a marketing point of view, it is the success of their organizations. They employ celebrities, because their whole world is watching. The key to success is making noise. Big part of merit we have to assign our compatriot Joanna Krupa who sad ‘I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur’ and she did it:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.peta.org/features/Joanna-Krupa-anti-fur-ads.aspx
A great example of a combination of religious scandal and draw attention to the problem of animals is publicity of Joanna Krupa:
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/Images/Main/Sections/MediaCenter/PrintAds/krupaChurch.jpg
PETA publicity Methodology for many is confusing. For me their message and purpose is clear
ReplyDelete1. In my opinion PETA is one of the strongest organizations that exist. What I mean is that PETA's campaigns and publicity acts are famous around the world and everyone is aware of them. PETA truly believes in its mission,hence, all activities make sense and carry a meaning.Even though, I am not a vegetarian, I support PETA in its fight against animal cruelty.
2. We all get fascinated and intrigued by famous people wanting to know their personal lives and scandals. Hence, for PETA to use them for a good cause is right thing to do. The hollywood stars play an important role in the success of PETA because they are the ones that get recognised and trusted when speaking up. Moreover, for celebrities is a chance for further success and fame. I think it is a win win situation where both parties achieve what they have wished for.
3. I don't think the statement is true. There are different ways to attract one's attention and it does not always have to be through nudity. I think nudity is for someone,the easy way to become famous. PETA does not use nudity to attract attention. The slogan and naked person are their logo as an organization to present people with the message. I think this is a very clever marketing strategy.
ReplyDelete1. Personally I think that advertising and communicating via social networks is an excellent marking tool. Being part of social network allows a company to have a direct relationship with its customers via 24/7 channel of communication. Moreover, the customers are able to have access to all the news and updates making them feel as they play a part in the company.
It is a brilliant tool that everyone should take advantage of.
2. I think that Poland is ready for this type of communication and people are actually waiting for it. Almost everyone is using computers nowadays and does majority of work/ household activities online.Hence, introducing this type of business communication is a must.
3. Most of the companies/ businesses that I am associated with do campaigns/ advertising via social sites. It used to be only via email but now I see updates daily on Facebook or Twitter. I guess they have to do it in order to keep a place in today's competitive world.
If those campaigns really help animals - then it's all good. I never understood the controversy of showing naked human body. This is some medieval approach to the subject and it's usually full of hipocracy. Men got penises, woman got vaginas - what's the big deal? Ofcourse there should be balance in everything - the fact that in western culture you can show naked men or woman to promote something doesn't necesarry mean that you can exploit the subject and use nudity to sell everything.
ReplyDeleteI think that answer to your third question is sadly "yes". Sex and violence are selling great and nothing can change the primal instincts of human specie. We can be educated, well raised, etc. but no matter what we do - we're still animals. Just a little bit more inteligent, but still an animals who have primal instincts and guys from marketing departments are aware of that fact. That is why nothing in the world will ever sell PETA better than Joanna Krupa's naked breasts.
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ReplyDeleteI think people should respect animals and possibly all should protect and care for them. I think that there are always limits on the activities and everyone should know them.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, some of their initiatives are weird. Presented by the author are the boundaries of good taste and common sense. Others have found are funny.
eg
This could be a great April Fool's joke, unfortunately thing happened really. Animal rights activists from PETA sent an association to a known band Pet Shop Boys letter of request to change the name of the band, as the current allegedly infringes the rights of animals.
ReplyDeleteFor me there are not enough "numbers", but not about killing animals (for fur), but saving them! They Promote campaign not to buy fur, but they are already made. So I my opinion they should go the goverment of nation which is problem with killing animals for fur and educate them that this is wrong.
It is important to tell people what they are buying but, education in a "hunting" countires is also matter.
In my opinion involving famous people in their campaigns makes not PETA more recognized and more valuable but these celebrites. It is "popular" to be pro PETA, but do such people do more that "talking"? I don't think so.
About third question: http://springfieldfiles.com/albums/signs/0498.jpg :)
Beauty and cleverness of the any presentation draws people attention. Some organization can't come up with anything clever, so they put some "sex and nudity" and they think it is "done". It is not. People are much better than this, if company puts a almost naked man or woman on an advertisement they are targeting the wrong group and even offend other inteligent people. We are not animals.
PrzemekM give good example when celebrity gets attention on herself by taking part in PETA campaign. No one even heard about Joanna before that.
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ReplyDelete@Natalia
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to bring this to you, but from scientific point of view humans ARE animals. Even your DNA perfectly matches monkeys DNA in 98%.
hswers.com/Q/Are_humans_animals
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human
The fact that we can send remotely controlled bombers to kill other humans instead of throwing stones and sticks at them doesn't necessarily make us any better than monkeys. Yes, we are more inteligent. Doesn't change a thing.
I believe that animals have the same right to life as a man, and you should treat them the same way as a man ... should not be pushed around. However, in the world, each of us takes this seriously, so many homeless animals in shelters. However, well they are the associations that deal with the protection of animals, they are very useful because they help sick animals get well, keep in mind that this animal is the best and most wonderful man and friend to express respect and dedication to such a beloved pet.
ReplyDeleteI was, and I'm opposed to the use of animals for experiments. I am also opposed to animals in order to obtain fur. In the era of the twenty-first century, we do not need to kill animals to clothe. Of course, it can not stand the abuse and exploitation of animals for entertainment (circuses). As far as food is people will always eat meat. And it is that organizations like PETA to save animals really does not mean anything because I will die in his place a few others. Eat meat and will always be an important part of human diet. So, willy-nilly, it will not give up. In my opinion a little bit exaggerated. You can fight for the rights of animals but let's not insane.
ReplyDeleteAs for the involvement of celebrities in the campaign is certainly a good marketing ploy because people like to see that become a famous star of the wall for something to begin to think about it and start talking about it.
I agree completely with the statement that in order to sell something today, use sex and nudity, virtually every product is advertised and promoted just such ways.
I do not know too much about PETA, but from what you wrote and what I heard from my friends, the initiative is justified. It is always worth fighting in the name of something good. While on the other hand, it seems unrealistic that a man could've stopped eating meat but it is worth fighting for that we should no longer wear the fur of the animals. I think PETA has an impact on society because I have heard of this organization many years ago and their campaigns have had an impact on my friends. I think celebrities are the determinants of standards in society and inspired a lot of people, so it's a good idea to have someone well-known and well-liked celebrity to show his views on the subject. The problem may be that the star can say in the ad anything that you pay him/her for but a privately or in another program may tell something completely different, which completely destroys the credibility of the PETA campaign.
ReplyDeletePETA campaigns are very good, because you can't miss it. As s10047 said naked man in PETA advert is funny, but naked woman can divert males attention from the problem, which is very serious.
ReplyDeleteInvolving celebrities in PETA's Animal Rights Causes is very good, because many peoples like celebrities and would like to be like them, so they will respect the campaign.
I agree with the statement that in the modern media controversy, sex and nudity have become necessary to draw people's attention, because only this can stand out this campaign from milions of junk adverts.
Also, THANKS for the interesting opinions about PETA organization and its campaigns.
ReplyDeleteReferring to my third question, using sex and nudity by the media and advertisements is the easiest way for drawing people’s attention. However, do not you think that humor and laugh could be also a great ways for advertising and other media to get people’s attention? Here is the great example of Polish advertising campaign about animals:
http://www.tbwa.pl/wwf/czerwony-kapturek/
Leaving animals behind, I found a really funny ad about air cons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCO2bc5OzcM
I've heard before about PETA organisation, but very little. I know that they stand against furing animals, but I cant give my oppinion abut PETA activities since I know nothing about furing industry, and I dont know if situation require crearing such movement. What I can say abut that organisation, is that I have found their attempt to make people stop eating meat really annoying. If some one want to be vegetarian, go ahead. Meat has always been basic feeding ingredient, and I dont want to be branded because of my diet. Hopefully no one will empty a bucket of paint on my head.
ReplyDeleteEndorsement is very old trick. I seems obvious, that fans will come along their idol. This is the way PETA encourage people into their cause and it seems to work since it is one of biggest non profit organisation in the world.
They alsow advertise by nudity and I dont think it is the best way to draw people attention, but the certainly the easiest. This is what western people has become - pair of big breasts can encourage them into any cause.
Personally I think that there are problems far more important in this world that people should be aware of, then annimals being fured.
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ReplyDelete