While on the surface, there isn't really anything wrong with this commercial. When looking at the campaign, however, Weight Watchers is really pushing weight loss -- which comes as no surprise -- but for men.
This very specific ad campaign has an emphasis on a few points they can't seem to reiterate enough: It's easy, you don't have to give up the food you love (for men), and generally machismo role models aren't scared to lose weight using Weight Watchers.
That's fine; but beyond what's being said in the campaign, what is it insinuating about the opposite gender? Is this ad campaign effective, or is it simply masked misogyny saying that taking care of yourself is "womanly" or otherwise effeminate? Is it okay for women to give up foods or practices they love, but men shouldn't have to, and thus demand a "special" program? Hell, who says that women don't like things easy like Charles Barkley?
I'm not one to be too picky about something as seemingly banal as this, but it's something to think about.
Cheers.
