On this Wednesday I address the Mumbrella 360 conference – the peak event of the advertising industry in Australia. My appearance is described below:
I’m not sure I’ll be welcomed with loving arms. If you have a spare German Shepherd or bodyguard you’re not using this Wednesday please let me know.
I was speaking at a year 12 student retreat recently and asked the girls what they’d like me to pass on to the conference attendees. They’re response: “You suck!”
If you have any special message you’d like to share with the advertisers please contact me – you have 24 hours.
Below is an extract from Tim Burrowes diary about the positioning of speakers – myself and an ex lad’s mag editor.
I’ll let you know if I make it out alive.
7 Responses
Lol. or, chuckle actually. Thinking of you and praying for you.. but of course, just because I am praying for you doesn’t mean your agenda is right wing christian, or that you are a christian, (and therefore your views are not even worth listening to )…. I pray for many kinds of people!!!.
It is soooo NOT a political, or “christian” issue.. the objectification of women and the sexualization of girls is an issue that women from accross the spectrum of world views are very concerned about. It is a basic respect and human rights issue. On that subject, I truly appreciated the passion, insight and wisdom of the contributors to your book, BIG PORN INC, who were certainly not homogenous at all! (Always happy to give your work a plug!!!!! )
Go Melinda,
Right is on your side.. So is God, imho….
New readers may not get the references….
Hang in there, It doesn’t matter what they say…
thanks for all you do and for leading the charge in this area.
Well, we have a really nice German Shepherd, however he’s so nice he probably wouldn’t be much help……..
On the other hand – perhaps you could tell the advertisers that it would be nice to watch some ads where they’ve used cleverness and creativity to get the message across. The “sex sells” mantra seems to be the only tool used at the moment (or perhaps I’m just seeing all the awful ads), surely somebody can be more original than that. I recollect with fondness, the beer ads using camouflage and mens’ sheds as features – and I don’t even drink beer!!
Hugs all round! 😉
Go Melinda!!! Tough crowd. I’m expecting the arguments: ‘it’s harmless’, it’s not exploitation as the models are women, it sells so someone must like it.
Response: come and talk to my audiences in schools and the community who don’t have an easy voice but who speak loudly clearly disgustedly and with great fear for the future of women and boys.
Bullshit (you may choose to rephrase) it’s harmless and you have the statistics that are scary.
It may sell to some people, but expect a change in your sales figures as more people put their money where their mouth is.
Will be thinking of you and sending you mental chain mail!
All the best,
Clare
Good luck Melinda!!! I hope it goes better than you expect!
xx
Hi Melinda,
Thank you for using your voice! All the best, and we will look forward to hearing what I hope will be a better than expected response.
I think it is hard for ‘industry’ people to take a step back from what they do to see the bigger societal picture. I hope their eyes are opened.
Lisa
Melinda
Having been at the Brisbane Positive Schools conference – I was empowered by your voice and passion. I have silently thought of what I see, but with you vigor I am now speaking – go forth and spread the word to many. Thank you for opening my eyes!
Margaret