Unilever, Holding Hands

Members:

2001 Television 100% Report A Problem

A young man and woman walk down the street holding hands, as he looks at her admiringly and she looks back with a smile.

As she turns a corner, suddenly it's revealed that the guy is not with her, but another man -- who gets upset when he realizes that his boyfriend nearly followed the woman.

The first man consoles him and they walk away holding hands. He even looks back and smiles, as he puts his arms around his boyfriend.

This is a twist on the old ad concept of men randomly giving flowers to beautiful women -- implying that this woman is so attractive, even a gay man will fall for her, if even momentarily. The ad is not unlike a British commercial for another Unilever female product, Impulse body spray.

Company

Unilever

Brand

Pond's Whitening

Industry

Personal Products

Media Outlet

Television

Country

Philippines

Region

Asia

Agency

Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide

AdRespect Themes

Same-Sex Affection

Same-Sex Couples/Families

GLBT Inclusion

Straight Left Out

User Comments

Brian Kinney

I've always loved that TV ad. I thought it was pretty funny andBrian Kinney something new.

Yuechan

I LOVE THIS AD! As for skin whitening, in Asian societies, fair creamy skin has been favored for a rather long time.

Abby

The most offensive thing about this commercial is the suggestion that a beautiful Asian woman needs to whiten her skin in order to get Caucasian guys to be interested in her.

Ryoka

Note that this ad is from the Philippines. In many Asian countries fair, white skin is desirable on women much like a tan is to Americans and Europeans. Products like this one are very common in Asia. It's just a cultural difference.

As for how the ad dealt with homosexuality, I thought it was cute. Some people appreciate the beauty of both sexes and I only think this makes the ad somewhat more realistic.

Myra

Ok, to those that are complaining about the product in this commercial, what is the different between a commercial about whitening cream and one about instant tanning?

Dexter

I, for one, don't really like this ad in particular for how it deals with homosexuality. As for the product, I don't think many of the commentators here know that in many Asian countries, skin whitening products are VERY common. But I don't see what all the fuss is about. After all, Europeans and Americans spend a lot of time and money on tanning.

Simon

I don't like it. I don't like the idea of gay men falling for women even if it's just for a second. I don't like girls dreaming of being able to attract gay guys. I would give it a neutral because of the ending. But I'm still very dissapointed with this commercial.

Jami Ward

I have to agree with Cheryl on this one. Inoffensive from a sexual orientation perspective, offensive from a racial one. Let's see ... how could we market "Butch Wax"?

Art

Sure, the ad's gay-positive, but the product it's advertising is so OBSCENE that anyone with a shred of human dignity would be outraged. Organize a Unilever boycott NOW!

Cliff

While on one hand I find it cute and funny...I hate the implication that watching queer movies at the film festival could "change your life" by making you gay.

Cheryl

For Pete's sake! There may be no negative connotation associated with gayness in this spot, but... a skin *whitening* cream?! If it's not one kind of prejudice, it's got to be another. Yuck.

Related Ads