Booth Babes @ Interbike

[zoom-zoom]

I have seen SO many pictures of hoochies from Interbike, like this one:


I have half a mind to write Cannondale and tell them that I'm going to put opaque tape over every one of their danged brand graphics on the THREE Cdale bikes in our garage. The bimbos they chose are clearly not even cyclists (tiny, undefined thighs with no tan lines). I would have thought Cannondale had more class after they sponsored the Reve tour. Guess not.

MTB had a photo that garnered a lot of well-deserved criticism, too--on their FB page--from irritated women and men. Eventually they pulled the photo and replaced it with a shot of a guy in the dunk tank. Seriously, is that the best idea they could come up with to sell product? Cyclelicious also discussed the issue and offered some really interesting links on the topic.

I understand that the show is in Vegas, but isn't it possible for vendors to attract retailers their product without resorting to silicone boobs? If that's all they've got going for what they're selling, then it's a wonder they stay in business. That crap is offensive to at least half of the public.

[Kiwi Stoker]

I have to agree that this is really not required. Even the podium girls at TdF wear more clothing than these ones!

When I worked in the industry I NEVER used women in such a way in any advertising or promtional activity. When someone came up with such a bright idea I would ask "so can we have a stripped to the waist ripped guy in bike shorts as well?" and that normally deflated it.

[tulip]

Wow, a different scene than the National Women's Bicycle Summit last week, which was so positive and empowering. And what's up with the bishop impersonator? I'm not Catholic but that strikes me as being in pretty poor taste and irrelevant to a bike show. Come to think of it, the whole thing is in poor taste and irrelevant to a bike show.

Elly Blue has a great test: http://takingthelane.com/2012/09/19/...t-to-the-test/

[Amira]

I understand that the show is in Vegas, but isn't it possible for vendors to attract retailers their product without resorting to silicone boobs? If that's all they've got going for what they're selling, then it's a wonder they stay in business. That crap is offensive to at least half of the public.

AMEN!!!!!!! I find it insulting.



Although, I have to confess, I don't have any tan lines (ha, or tan) either, despite riding all summer. Sun block, knickers, sun sleeves on my arms and more sun block. Got to keep my dermatologist happy.

[shootingstar]

Make our views known. Maybe if Sue O. was interested, send this thread to some of these major bike manufacturers.

I wouldn't have a problem if these women were also regular cyclists. This form of advertising is just getting OLLLLLLD and cheap reach. And hiring those ladies probably is more expensive than a more intelligent but still fun way of market reach in a different way.

[OakLeaf]

Back in the day someone started a company to market umbrella girls for motorcycle races, who were racers themselves. They were babelicious and they dressed in ordinary scanty umbrella girl fashion - but they had impressively developed forearms, and plenty of them had scars from where they had rods in various bones.

The company is still around, marketing to a variety of sports, and the women are no longer (at least exclusively or visibly or per the press materials) participants in the sports. It was cool while it lasted, even if it didn't move past "sex sells."

[limewave]

I am really turned off by the pictures I've seen come out of Interbike. It's upsetting. There's a new local bicycle fabrication company that started posting bike p0rn every week. At first it was just of the bikes/frames. They were stunning photographs, nice craftsmanship. Then they started posting photos like this (see below) . . . So turned off. At first I thought how cool it would be to own a locally built, handmade bicycle. Now not so much. At least not from them.


. . . just now they posted "babe" free photos for this week. We'll see how they decide to continue to market their brand . . .

[zoom-zoom]

I am really turned off by the pictures I've seen come out of Interbike. It's upsetting. There's a new local bicycle fabrication company that started posting bike p0rn every week. At first it was just of the bikes/frames. They were stunning photographs, nice craftsmanship. Then they started posting photos like this (see below) . . . So turned off. At first I thought how cool it would be to own a locally built, handmade bicycle. Now not so much. At least not from them.


. . . just now they posted "babe" free photos for this week. We'll see how they decide to continue to market their brand . . .

Is it a certain "area code" brand? Interesting...

[zoom-zoom]

Back in the day someone started a company to market umbrella girls for motorcycle races, who were racers themselves. They were babelicious and they dressed in ordinary scanty umbrella girl fashion - but they had impressively developed forearms, and plenty of them had scars from where they had rods in various bones.

The company is still around, marketing to a variety of sports, and the women are no longer (at least exclusively or visibly or per the press materials) participants in the sports. It was cool while it lasted, even if it didn't move past "sex sells."

Yeah, you know...I think that's what gets me--that none of these booth babes appear to be actual cyclists. I know some very sexy, attractive women (and men--why only have female babes?) who are seriously accomplished athletes. I think I'd be much less annoyed if real riders were hired and paid to catch people's eyes, but also talk up a product and know what they are talking about from personal experience.

[limewave]

Is it a certain "area code" brand? Interesting...

You know it.

[zoom-zoom]

Although, I have to confess, I don't have any tan lines (ha, or tan) either, despite riding all summer. Sun block, knickers, sun sleeves on my arms and more sun block. Got to keep my dermatologist happy.

I don't have much in the way of tan lines, either--I'm pretty pasty. DH is a melanoma survivor, so we go pretty all-out with the sunblock and protective clothing. He was the coach in Tahoe with white arm sleeves. We still don't seem to be the norm, of course. We still have friends that pride themselves on their tan lines. I personally don't want cancer or wrinkles, so staying pale is a win-win. I like getting carded at almost 40!

Even without tan lines, those women are all far too "skinny fat" looking to be doing much of anything athletic, with the exception of the little platinum blonde who strikes me as maybe someone who lifts a bit and runs from her nature of her muscle definition.

[zoom-zoom]

You know it.

Shame...I was pretty intrigued by their fat bikes, too.

[Sky King]

Drives me totally insane as well. Who is your buyer, is so degrading to both women and men. To take it further when companies do use women who actually are athletic they still do the sex spin - I really see this now in ski and snowboarding. My DD competed in Freestyle skiing for about 5 years and anytime they wanted to photograph her they wanted a "sex" shot instead of a skill shot.
the ads even say "looking for hot babes"
As I am "old" in the eyes of the marketers I haven't even bothered to protest with words, I protest with my pocket book.

[zoom-zoom]

Elly Blue has a great test: http://takingthelane.com/2012/09/19/...t-to-the-test/

That is a great blog...bookmarked!

[jessmarimba]

Yeah, I was able to get into the Denver Snow Show this year and it was the same deal. I'd imagine it's the snow sports equivalent of Interbike - but photographers were just chasing down these scantily clad girls showing off boots or hats or somesuch...or a girl in snow pants and bra, or panties and jacket...COME ON. Unfortunately most of the guys I know who bike (or ski) don't understand why I find it so offensive.