Racing Victoria Forced To Scrap “Topless Model” Image
After copping a barrage of criticism on social media for being sexist and objectifying in its Spring Racing Carnival ad campaign, as reported by B&T yesterday, Racing Victoria has responded.
The campaign, titled “Melbourne in Full Bloom”, featured an image of a woman wearing nothing but body paint on the top half of her body, while a man was also pictured fully clothed in a suit.
Racing Victoria’s chief commercial officer, Jane Ballantyne, said the campaign combines sport with art and aims to celebrate the colour and fashion of Australia’s most iconic Carnival in a way that is different and innovative.
“These designs have been created by a predominantly female team and is in no way intended to be derogatory to women,” she said in a statement to B&T.
“The campaign consists of a selection of imagery that features both men and women wearing a body paint design created by an award winning design team – on-trend floral wallpaper prints that were body painted on talent, as well as a diamond pattern painted on a leading jockey, Dylan Dunn, with the concept using vibrant flowing fabrics to connect the racing silks worn by our athletes in a creative and artistic visual representation.
“Following our launch on Thursday, we have received feedback that one of the images has offended some people and have subsequently chosen not to continue to feature this image.”
Among the backlash on Racing Victoria’s Facebook page, one commentator wrote: “It is using women as naked sexual objects in an industry that is renowned for its sexism. If you were to celebrate sport, then surely you would celebrate women in sport, not as sexual objects. Not good enough in 2016.”
While another wrote: “Most industries would tread carefully after such acquisitions. But your marketing department has paid for a campaign showing two female models topless with just paint covering them. Is that brave, or dumb or just plain sexist?”
Please login with linkedin to comment
mfasLatest News
Facebook And X Ordered To Remove Sydney Church Stabbing Video; Meta Swiftly Responds, X ‘Too Busy’ To Care
Social media companies Meta and X have been ordered to remove videos of a 16-year old allegedly stabbing Orthodox Christian leader Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at his church in Sydney’s west on Monday evening. Lead Image: A still from the stabbing incident that was captured in a live stream on YouTube and shared on X. […]
Tara Ford To Serve On Titanium Jury At Cannes Lions
Tara Ford, chief creative officer of The Monkeys and Accenture Song, is set to serve on the Titanium jury at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The Aussie adland legend said that she “can’t wait” to join the panel of judges and that the Award was particularly close to her heart. “Titanium is […]
“Be Like A Skunk At A Garden Party”: Author Patrick Radden Keefe On Investigating Pharma
Patrick Radden Keefe (pictured), author of global bestseller, Empire of Pain, talked to B&T‘s Nancy Hromin at the Samsung Jaipur Literary Festival about reputation laundering, aggressive marketing strategies and the privilege of still being able to practice pure journalism and be paid for it. Keefe’s in-depth reporting in publications such as The New Yorker and […]
Stuart Archibald Departs Half-Eponymous Agency, Archibald Williams
Stuart Archibald departs Archibald Williams after 12 years. And, no, it's not for golf & bowlo club-priced schooners.
B&T’s Campaign Of The Month Wrapped: Queensland Health’s Frightening Skin Cancer Campaign, Via CHEP
Queensland's beautiful one day, perfect the next but there's still lots that can kill you - crocs, skin cancer & XXXX.
TV Ratings (15/4/24): Amidst It All, Seven News Is The Most-Watched Program In Australia
Network 10 may have had a win in the courts yesterday but, alas, it appears viewers heard all about it on Seven.
Even More Cairns Crocodiles Awards Judges Added As Entries Go Gangbusters!
Cairns Crocodiles assembling ominous judging panel that just so happens to coincide with B&T's office sponge bake off.
“Bias Influences Who & How We Appoint”: Aimee Buchanan On Why Diversity In Leadership Matters
When Aimee speaks, B&T goes full Vanilla Ice: "Stop collaborate & listen, GroupM boss back with a brand new invention."
Dove ‘Won’t Use AI To Represent Women’ To Celebrate 20 Years Of ‘Campaign For Real Beauty’
Yet again, Dove pioneering the adland zeitgeist but ignores current clamour around AI, thank god.
Multicultural Comms Agency Ethnolink Announces AI-Enhanced Multilingual Campaigns
Here's an excellent multilingual AI initiative that will hopefully allow us all to finally comprehend drunk Irish people.
Gate 7 Bolsters Visit California & Brand USA Teams
Travel marketer boosts its team for its US destinations. Any talk of the Aussie dollar remaining strictly off limits.
Mediahub Snares Linda Fagerlund From Carat
Mediahub nabs Carat's Linda Fagerlund after reportedly dangling a large carrot or similar root crop vegetable.
BMF’s Tom Hoskins & Dave Roberts Promoted To Group Creative Directors
More evidence two brains are better than one comes these two promotions. After all, a third brain can cause tensions.
QMS Secures Toyota, Stan, Allianz and Patties Food As Paris 2024 Launch Partners
No one's looking forward to Paris like B&T. We're particularly excited about watching countries who detest one another.
Publicis Groupe APAC Strengthens Its Senior Leadership Team With Key Appointments
Publicis rings the changes with three new appointments. No wonder, given it got all that new biz money last year.
Slew Of Promotions & A New Hire At History Will Be Kind
It's promotions & new recruits at History Will Be Kind. Plus the inevitable angst for staffers who didn't get one.
Latto “Talks Snack” With Menulog Via Thinkerbell
Do Aussie agencies think ads with Americans makes us want to eat more? The food deliverers appear to think so.
ING Invests In Finance Partnership With Seven
Seven amps up its finance coverage in latest partnership. Sadly, it's not bringing Kochie out of the cryogenic freeze.
Gregory Jewellers Elevates eCommerce Experience With Digital Transformation Platform Via Wonderful
Hats off to this ecommerce initiative, however, jewellery's just one of those things we ain't buying sight unseen.
Carsales.com.au: We Are The Kings Of Intent
Is there a correlation between the increased interest in Carsales.com.au & decreased interest in public transport?
Judge Finds Lehrmann Did Rape Higgins ‘On Balance Of Probabilities’
No one came out of this trial particularly well. Apart from Justice Michael Lee, who has a real way with words.
Universal Reveals Death-Defying Marketing Stunt For The Fall Guy
New flick stars man-of-the-minute Ryan Gosling. B&T understands he doesn't sing in this one.
Digital Ad Watchdog Check My Ads Appoints Arielle Garcia As Director Of Intelligence Following Sensational UM Resignation
There are few jobs that could have you bundled into the back of a white van, but this does sound like one of them.
Does ‘Programmatic Digital Out Of Home’ Need A Re-brand?
Binning 'programmatic' would save B&T hours of explaining stuff we pretend to understand to colleagues each week.
TV Ratings (14/4/24): Nine Builds A Winner With Lego Masters
Hamish Blake proves he's still got it as Lego launches to impressive numbers. Pete Evans secretly taking notes.
RMIT Partners With Bench To Amplify Brand Reach
Ever tried to better yourself with an online course only to give up a month later? You'll know the RMIT brand well.
The Works Appoints Jerome Gaslain As Growth Creation Partner
Works' team saved by Sydney's late-running public transport as it dangerously takes to the tram tracks for press photo.
NZ’s Contact Energy Launches “It’s Good To Be Home” Campaign Iteration, Via Special
Yes, it's a New Zealand ad featuring a sheep. No, B&T won't be going down that route despite desperately wanting to.
Molasses Appoints Nichole Donovan As Client Director
Molasses is a brand & design agency & not to be mistaken with Israeli spy agency Mossad. Not that you'd ever do that.
Mindshare Snags Nova Entertainment Media Account From Carat
The dial's fixed to Fitzy & Wippa at Mindshare now. Bump in ear plugs sales in North Sydney "unrelated," apparently.
Bupa Declares “Good Health Is Contagious” Via Thinkerbell
Bupa declares "good health's contagious". Although B&T understands kale & marathons are exempt from the comments.
Principals Refreshes Master Brand For Pitcher Partners
Accountancy firm Pitcher Partners gets brand zjoosh via the Principals. Debate rages whether it's mint or jade.
Michael Hill CMO: ‘Marketing Will Unlock Business Growth’ But Only With Right Measurement & Attribution
Partner still refusing to put a ring on it? Instead of threatening to leave, use this jewellery yarn as a reminder.
Beacon Lighting Extends Carat’s Contract For Three More Years
Is every Beacon employee's worst nightmare being the last to leave and having to turn the lights off?
Former EssenceMediacom CEO Pat Crowley Calls On Adland To Back Rare Cancer Drug
Friend of B&T and all-round good guy Pat Crowley needs our help to save his son's life.
University Of Sydney Appoints CHEP For Australia & APAC Media Account
CHEP wins Uni of Syd media work. Staff strongly reminded that this does not allow them to attend student nights out.