Comments on: Working Moms, Remind Me… It’s 2008? Right?

By: Daisy

Daisy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:24:36 +0000

I think I’ll stick to my generic paper towels — and I’ll revel in the fact that my husband cleaned the kitchen tonight better than I usually do it. Oh, and the cleaning service coming this week. No “Diva” about it; I hate to clean.

By: Lylah

Lylah — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:58:09 +0000

Mandy: I hear ya’!

Kristie: I’m more of a “bourbon social” gal myself. But honestly, I’m in the same boat as you — I barely have time to be presentable, let alone Divalicious!

Heather: Tequila shot social? I’m in! (So is Mandy). Really, though, i wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some sort of Seventeen Magazine marketing campaign in the works… “Stuff your bras! And use Viva to remove your makeup! The boys’ll thank you for it!” *shudder*

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:56:11 +0000

Maybe we should clue-in those Viva execs and tell them that we’ll be hosting a tequila shot social instead.

And if we’re a bit chubbier than we’d like, SO BE IT. We’ve birthed children for crying out loud!!!!

Tell them to sell crazy somewhere else…maybe they should start marketing to the tween set–they can stuff their bras with paper towels!

Ha!

By: Kristie McNealy

Kristie McNealy — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:48:42 +0000

Oooohh, how I wish I had TIME to be a Viva Diva… Not that I’d fit in even if I had the time. Ice cream socials are not up my alley….

By: Mandy

Mandy — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:21:27 +0000

Ooo, Lylah, great point about changing the role of the man and woman. This should so be in an advertising students line of study!

By: Lylah

Lylah — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:44:15 +0000

Mandy: I’m sure the women who relate to this ad exist — a few of them are Viva Divas, too, apparently. I’m just not one of them! Maybe it’s because I’ve always lived in the hectic Northeast. Or maybe it’s because I’m not a “surrendered wife” (not knocking them — I have friends who are very happy living that lifestyle. It’s just not for me). Or maybe it just wasn’t part of my upbringing. Whatever the reason, the ad campaign doesn’t sit right with me…

Kate: I saw those ads, too, and had the same reaction!

Anitoa: For some reason, I think this one passes nostalgia and goes right on into propaganda, for me at least. If they had done the exact same ad, but with the man stirring the sauce and holding the paper towel, they would have gotten the retro vibe and given it a modern twist, and we’d STILL be talking about their paper towels!

By: anitao

anitao — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:33:57 +0000

It is very popular to use 50’s ad style to catch the baby boomer nostalgia. It is an interesting time because with the business I do I am taken back to the 70’s when I was in high school conservationism and the environment was cool. I certainly don’t miss hash jeans and platform shoes but I don’t believe in throwing the baby out with the bath water either. I’ll skip the retro look but get back to the basics of our grandparent’s era-reduce, reuse, and recycle. For them it was economical for us it may save us and the planet. Beware of propaganda laden with emotion sells. Cheers, Anitao

By: kate

kate — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:19:33 +0000

this is insane - but it is so out there. every cleaning product and food thing seems to be aimed at the ‘house wife’ regardless if that includes a job or not… even all the superbowl ads for walmart (i think? good ad - i can’t even remember how it was for!) had ALL WOMEN putting on aprons and the voice over (a man of course) saying something like ‘be the hero at the big game and put on the big feast’. grrrr makes me angry. but there has to be a market and i thas to be working because marketing/advertising is very senstive to trends… so i donno still grrrrrrrr!

By: Mandy

Mandy — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:37:58 +0000

Your husband has a point about talking about paper towels. I know I don’t talk about them with anyone but perhaps, because of your post and drawing my attention to this ad, I will.

There has to be, just has to be, a cross section of American women who DO relate to this ad. It’s certainly not an ad befitting Massachusetts but there are some Southern states where this could be taken right to heart, or the grocery store. I’m interested in knowing if any of the women who read your blog know any of these women.

I can’t bring myself to look in the Diva Cafe, though. It seems so like a diva don’t.

By: Lylah

Lylah — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:29:27 +0000

Florinda, that’s a much better way to put it — dismayed. It’s like someone at that ad agency or company read that 1950s home economics textbook guide to being a Good Wife, pulled “After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction” out of the guide for inspiration, and then designed an ad campaign around it!

For those readers who haven’t seen the Good Wife Guide, a copy is here: http://www.joe-ks.com/archives/Good_Wife_Guide.htm