30 Inappropriate sexy ads

Sex has been used in advertising since its beginning itself. The earliest forms are wood carvings and illustrations of attractive women, signs, and ads for saloons, tonics, and tobacco. The earliest known use of sex in advertising is by Pearl Tobacco in 1871 featuring a naked maiden on package. Sexual appeals found in ads are of many types and include various elements. They often are shown through visual elements, such as attractive models, and may possibly portray varying degrees of nudity and also suggestiveness. Within the last two decades, the utilization of increasingly sometimes shocking sexual images in consumer-oriented print advertising is now almost common.

The elements like pretty women, naked bodies are attention seekers. According to Gallup & Robinson a advertising and market research firm which has tested advertising effectiveness for more than 50 years, it has found that the use of the erotic to be a significantly above-average technique in communicating with the marketplace. According to Paul Lines, men are more likely to purchase a product that is advertised using a beautiful woman than one that does not. Similarly, men are more attracted to products that suggest they will enhance the man’s attractiveness to women. The reverse is also true.

However, does this suggest an effect on human values or is it a natural and instinctive reaction? Here is a roundup of 30+ ads using sexual images. Do let us know what do you think of sexual imagery use in advertising in our comments section? Do you tolerate it?

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