Peloton sparks sexism mockery over commercial
#126
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"A gift or a present is an item given to someone without the expectation of payment or anything in return."
So if a husband gifts his wife with a Peloton spin bike as a gift then he expects nothing in return. Or else it wasn't a GIFT!
So to all those ranting and crying about Peloton not being politically correct, please quit calling the spin bike in the ad a GIFT. I mean if you're all so concerned about being Correct and all.......
You can't call it a gift and Sexist in the same breath and be correct on both accounts.
So if a husband gifts his wife with a Peloton spin bike as a gift then he expects nothing in return. Or else it wasn't a GIFT!
So to all those ranting and crying about Peloton not being politically correct, please quit calling the spin bike in the ad a GIFT. I mean if you're all so concerned about being Correct and all.......
You can't call it a gift and Sexist in the same breath and be correct on both accounts.
It's almost like language and behavior have subtler implications than you're capable of grasping.

#127
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My sense watching the ad is the problem isn't really the storyline, it's her performance. There's something creepy about her excessive displays of excitement and gratitude, and I think women are finding that portrayal extremely condescending.
No question this ad is a colossal own goal. Any man considering giving this as a gift is now getting the message women may find it insulting.
No question this ad is a colossal own goal. Any man considering giving this as a gift is now getting the message women may find it insulting.

#128
Cycleway town
Trying to reflect a typical relationship in an advertisement is only ever going to end badly.

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#129
C*pt*i* Obvious
Tempest in a teacup.
Life will go on if you don't post every thought you have online, in fact it might actually improve.
If you ever want to know a person, read all of their online commentary for a year, its quite shocking how little people value their own privacy anymore.
Life will go on if you don't post every thought you have online, in fact it might actually improve.
If you ever want to know a person, read all of their online commentary for a year, its quite shocking how little people value their own privacy anymore.

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#130
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Well, that may be but this ad has, at this point, been disastrous for Peloton. It demonstrates that not anticipating social media response to ads is going to be marketing malpractice from now on.

#131
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Show of hands-- how many people reading this thread actually use a Peloton?

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Made the Boston Globe (Yeah, you might not be able to get past the paywall, don't worry about it. Not much to see here other than what's reported everywhere.)
Except the very weak "local" angle is that she is "Grace from Boston." (No relation to @Jim from Boston?)
-mr. bill
Except the very weak "local" angle is that she is "Grace from Boston." (No relation to @Jim from Boston?)
-mr. bill
I have been reading this thread, but with no intention to reply. But thanks @mr_bill for the nod, and for the reference to the Boston Globe. My wife does subscribe, and now have to read it though no relation to Grace from Boston.
Indeed, I’m surprised that such a seemingly un-PC ad would be launched in our People’s Republic though there is a Peleton store in the Prudential Center in tony Back Bay… A woman professional in our organization, seemingly independent and “liberated” has in the past highly touted her Peleton to me.
My wife and I were active cycling tourists in the 70s and 80s…I cycle commute and she rides the Charles River Bikepath and regularly works out, usually at Healthworks (a gym for Women)....
On occasion when asked what I'm buying my wife for special occasion, I reply, “a lovely ironing board cover.” [Just Kidding]
Indeed, I’m surprised that such a seemingly un-PC ad would be launched in our People’s Republic though there is a Peleton store in the Prudential Center in tony Back Bay… A woman professional in our organization, seemingly independent and “liberated” has in the past highly touted her Peleton to me.
My wife and I were active cycling tourists in the 70s and 80s…I cycle commute and she rides the Charles River Bikepath and regularly works out, usually at Healthworks (a gym for Women)....
On occasion when asked what I'm buying my wife for special occasion, I reply, “a lovely ironing board cover.” [Just Kidding]
That would be the definition and perfect example of sexism .... I hope she doesn't ride a Peloton there.

My sense watching the ad is the problem isn't really the storyline, it's her performance.
There's something creepy about her excessive displays of excitement and gratitude, and I think women are finding that portrayal extremely condescending.
There's something creepy about her excessive displays of excitement and gratitude, and I think women are finding that portrayal extremely condescending.
The only suggestions I noticed of a Boston locale were the outdoor scenes in the background appropriate to Boston’s climate, namely Winter and Fall.
Maybe an image of a “strong” woman would be of a year round outdoor cyclist.
…So my near perfect weather would present the best of all seasons, without the extremes, and I already live here.
Nice, albeit short Spring with beautiful blossoms and that first few weeks of relief from Winter; glorious summer; cool crispy Autumn with colorful foliage; and even a bracing, and challenging Winter, but not one impossible to ride in.
Nice, albeit short Spring with beautiful blossoms and that first few weeks of relief from Winter; glorious summer; cool crispy Autumn with colorful foliage; and even a bracing, and challenging Winter, but not one impossible to ride in.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 12-05-19 at 06:05 AM.

#134
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I finally watched the ad and I too thought the performance was over the top but probably typical of Madison Avenue. As I noted above though, my (female) colleague gushed about her Peleton.
The only suggestions I noticed of a Boston locale were the outdoor scenes in the background appropriate to Boston’s climate, namely Winter and Fall.
Maybe an image of a “strong” woman would be of a year round outdoor cyclist.
The only suggestions I noticed of a Boston locale were the outdoor scenes in the background appropriate to Boston’s climate, namely Winter and Fall.
Maybe an image of a “strong” woman would be of a year round outdoor cyclist.
I don't think outdoor cyclists are their market. I talked to a male in my office who has a Peloton. He bought it right before his daughter was born because he knew that going to the gym after work was going to be problematic or getting her from daycare. He's never been a cyclist. I think that's their real market--busy professionals and stay at home parents.

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#138
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Might have something to do with the stock having spiked to its all-time high the day before. Basically, that $942 million of value only existed for about 24 hours.
OTOH, this really is an image-driven brand, as evidenced by the fact that their ads almost always show the bike in a place of prominence in a luxurious home. It's possible that the brand is especially vulnerable to negative connotations--the target audience for that ad was the gift-givers, and they might really be scared off by the backlash. "This expensive gift might buy you resentment" is not a good message for your brand.
OTOH, this really is an image-driven brand, as evidenced by the fact that their ads almost always show the bike in a place of prominence in a luxurious home. It's possible that the brand is especially vulnerable to negative connotations--the target audience for that ad was the gift-givers, and they might really be scared off by the backlash. "This expensive gift might buy you resentment" is not a good message for your brand.

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#139
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My sense watching the ad is the problem isn't really the storyline, it's her performance. There's something creepy about her excessive displays of excitement and gratitude, and I think women are finding that portrayal extremely condescending.
No question this ad is a colossal own goal. Any man considering giving this as a gift is now getting the message women may find it insulting.
No question this ad is a colossal own goal. Any man considering giving this as a gift is now getting the message women may find it insulting.
Last edited by jadocs; 12-05-19 at 09:11 AM.

#140
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It was after reading this thread and other threads on other forums that I finally watched the ad. Even pre-loaded with the bias, the ad did not move a needle with me. It didn't register appreciably in any way. It came off as just another corny ad the way so many ads do today. I certainly didn't find offense in it and didn't see offense while trying to view it through the lens of the offended. Calling that offensive in any way is a horrible stretch.
I think our society desperately needs to seek out connection rather than division in all aspects of our lives.
I think our society desperately needs to seek out connection rather than division in all aspects of our lives.

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It may prove to be disastrous, but my observations of the market tell me I shouldn't look to a single day or a single short term event as significant.

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#143
C*pt*i* Obvious
This whole thread is a classic first world problem.
Just imagine having ALL of your internet history gone through and checked for "mental hygiene".
Yet that day is here, and its entirely possible, on this side of the planet.
I just went through ALL of my wife's online history, including private messages and email, for the past year and vice versa for her.
Sound crazy?, It is. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear right?
You might be surprised at how much can be learned by analyzing data, especially social media comments.
Information technology is no joke, its a necessary evil that is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands.

#144
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*sigh*
This whole thread is a classic first world problem.
Just imagine having ALL of your internet history gone through and checked for "mental hygiene".
Yet that day is here, and its entirely possible, on this side of the planet.
I just went through ALL of my wife's online history, including private messages and email, for the past year and vice versa for her.
Sound crazy?, It is. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear right?
You might be surprised at how much can be learned by analyzing data, especially social media comments.
Information technology is no joke, its a necessary evil that is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands.
This whole thread is a classic first world problem.
Just imagine having ALL of your internet history gone through and checked for "mental hygiene".
Yet that day is here, and its entirely possible, on this side of the planet.
I just went through ALL of my wife's online history, including private messages and email, for the past year and vice versa for her.
Sound crazy?, It is. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear right?
You might be surprised at how much can be learned by analyzing data, especially social media comments.
Information technology is no joke, its a necessary evil that is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands.

#145
C*pt*i* Obvious
Younger generations will interact with people through the internet and nothing else, and then given a score based on how well they interact with each other, and especially the state.
Happy Happy Joy Joy.
Last edited by SHBR; 12-05-19 at 09:40 AM.

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That's the way of America now.
up used to mean up, and down used to mean down.
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
