There's been a bit of an uproar here in New York City over an ad appearing on city buses by the urban clothing company Akademiks. The ads feature the slogan "Read Books, Get Brain." The problem, it turns out, is that "brain" is slang for oral sex with the kids these days and this wasn't an innocent oversight on the part of Akademics.
According to the story in the New York Daily News: "We knew this," fessed up Anthony Harrison, Akademiks' ad designer. "It's coded language, city slang. Teens know what it means but the general public doesn't."
It's hard to take sides in this one. Akademiks was clearly trying to get away with something it knew it normally wouldn't be able to get away with. New York City's transit folks, meanwhile, apparently weren't using Brain #1 and approved the ads even though the visuals that go with the slogan in one instance feature a woman wearing only a short sweater and her underwear, on her knees, lasciviously looking at the viewer. She's holding a book, but she's not reading it.
What's the responsibility of the advertiser here? Is there any way to be clever and sexy and not be dishonest?
Related Stories: | Topics:Management, advertising + PR, New York City, Culture and Lifestyle, Fashion and Style, Language and Linguistics, Slang and Jargon |
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Recent Comments | 3 Total
November 8, 2004 at 12:38pm by Rob
This is one of the few types of ad campaigns which really works when used for the younger demographics. Although fairly crude, it stays away from the corny "look-kids-we're-hip" type of BS that various companies spew towards younger demographics.
On the other hand, it would be easy to see how one might become offended by it.
A possible way to attack this particular ad would be to sue for false advertising...I read a lot... I should get a lot of brain.
November 8, 2004 at 6:50pm by Phil
My 2c worth is that that should get a warning and a slap on the wrist.
The advert was a novelty and it appeared to be for a good cause. You just want to stop other ads from doing the same thing again in the future.
Live a little.
June 13, 2005 at 1:42pm by ButtaNutjohnson
oh i see, ...its ok for companies (CK1, vick secrets) to sell/show flesh but they just cant SAY so in their advertising. basically, these guys just dont get urban culture or the dialogue OR how it relates!!