ViacomCBS, Freedom

Members:

1996 Television 100% Report A Problem

A man who is surfing gets cut off by a younger guy, knocking him into the ocean. The insulted surfer later sees the other sitting on the beach and charges up to him, with his fist raised to hit him -- then the young guy looks up with an innocent smile.

Suddenly taken by his charming looks, the man is no longer angry and they then run off into the sunset holding hands.

The commercial, a promotional spot for MTV, was the first of many gay-inclusive messages. MTV won a 2000 award from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation for its second ad about a young gay man who makes a breakup music tape.

MTV has set the gold standard among all advertisers for the most ads that refer to the community, more than 25 since 1996, in addition to carrying numerous gay ads from other companies and running its own supportive gay-inclusive programming.

Company

ViacomCBS

Brand

MTV

Industry

Media Outlets: Broadcasters-Publishers-Online-Games-Music

Media Outlet

Television

Country

United States

Region

North America

Agency

MTV in-house

AdRespect Themes

Same-Sex Affection

User Comments

Jamison

I think this is great. As a gay surfer (longboarder who rides goofy sometimes as well), I think this commercial is as much about sharing the surf as homosexuality. Had it starred a heterosexual couple, it could have been a PSA for the Surfrider Foundation.

Erik

What a sad message about our youth today --that a young pretty face/body excuses rude behavior.

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