I just have a hard time believing this article, but here 'tis, from the Times in Britain:

Drinks companies have been ordered to hire paunchy, balding men for advertisements to meet new rules forbidding any link between women’s drinking and sex. Watchdogs have issued a list of undesirable male characteristics that advertisers must abide by in order to comply with tougher rules designed to separate alcohol from sexual success.

Lambrini, the popular sparkling drink, is the first to suffer. Its manufacturers have complained after watchdogs rejected its latest campaign because it depicted women flirting with a man who was deemed too attractive.

The offending poster featured three women “hooking” a slim, young man in a parody of a fairground game scene. Harmless fun to lead its summer campaign, Lambrini argued.

But the Committee of Advertising Practice declared: “We would advise that the man in the picture should be unattractive — overweight, middle-aged, balding etc.”

Maybe I don't believe it because America is the land of opportunity, where any fat guy, with the right personality or lots of money, can land a hot chick. You know, like on "The King of Queens."

There's a committee that determines this kind of stuff over there? Johnnie Moore, if you're reading this, maybe you could clarify this for us ignorant Americans.

July 27, 2005 by Dan Goldgeier | Permalink | 1 Comments