Sex!

Sex sells. There is absolutely no doubt about it. And, depending on the product and how it's done, I have zero problem with it.

But some ads go past sexy and go straight through to creepy. Take these ads for example (NSFW!!!). A couple skirt the line, but number 8 makes my skin crawl. I don't know who directed that photo shoot, but the model looks distinctly unhappy, and I fail to see how parted thighs are an appropriate way of announcing that a new branch has opened.

I think also the fact that the models look like barely-legal teens in a bad seventies soft-porn photo shoot doesn't help. And then number 21 - what the hell do the sex faces have to do with her socks?

Sex in advertising is a double edged sword - on the one hand, if it's done right, you get a pretty good response to your product. On the other, if it's done wrong, you're remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Personally, I like it when it's cheeky, suggestive and a little funny, like this one:

It's too easy to go for the obvious schtick. In any form of advertising, I admire originality and humour.

Does advertising really affect my brand loyalty? Maybe. I don't have a TV so I don't get bombarded with local TV commercials, and I have adblock on my browser as well. I pretty much ignore the ads on Facebook (donate my eggs? REALLY facebook??)...so I don't know. Most of the brands I go for are because they give good service (oh HAI Yuppiechef!), they were recommended by a friend/family member, or I tried it once when feeling spontaneous and liked what I saw/got/etc.

Am I an advertising exec's nightmare?