Talk about your mixed messages.
Found this at AdFreak:
Sadly what brought this to the attention of the press was NOT the fact that there is no mention of safe sex procedures. No, this got noticed because some outraged person viewed it as promoting promiscuity among teens. (Something, it should be noted, that’s about as tough to promote as water among the Bedouin.)
[ Cyndi] Desrosiers said she first saw the card in a Dover [NH] Hallmark store in an area designated for a “RED” line of cards, from which proceeds are reportedly spend to combat AIDS in Africa. “I find it ironic given that they’re promoting sexual promiscuity,” she said. “The target audience, in my opinion, is young adults.”
What is not at all clear is why Ms. Desrosiers thinks that the card is aimed at the young and the restless. Has red wine become all the rage among the youth of today? Or maybe sending greeting cards? Hallmark can only hope.
Ms. D brought the card and her complaint to clerks at two different card stores in NH. Apparently the concept of the clueless customer is always right is well ingrained in the Granite State. Both clerks removed the cards from the shelves.
Let’s see you try that in Boston. We’ll curse you out just for buying the damn thing.
On one hand I agree, that is hypocritical.
Which raises the question, whether the ‘Red’ line is a marketing charity or a bona fide non profit. I am sure there is a bunch of ways to hide one within the other.
On the other hand, I wish I had that sentiment to give the myriad of angry women I myself had pissed off.
What a great tension breaker. You got to admit, that is a clever come on. Old, sure, but clever anyway.