A new beer to appear on the market, partly created by a former member of Sydney rock band The Vines has caused a bit of controversy in Australia. Not because of the alcohol content but the campaign behind it.
This is the story behind it:
New beer called 'dangerous and sexist'
Article from: The Courier-Mail
Shannon Deery
June 13, 2009 09:00am
A NEW beer that promises to leave drinkers holding a naked woman before they finish the last drop has been labelled dangerous and sexist.
Health and women's groups called for Skinny Blonde beer to be banned.
And they want the Advertising Standards Bureau to investigate the provocative ad campaign.
Using modern ink technology, the low-carb beer label features a 1950s-style pin-up called Daisy, whose red bikini disappears as the beer level drops and the bottle warms up.
An internet advertising campaign on the Skinny Blonde website allows users to pick their favourite "skinny blonde" and watch her undress.
The site, launched last week, has already received more than 60,000 hits.
Women's Forum Australia spokeswoman Melinda Tankard Reist slammed the beer and its advertising as degrading and inappropriate.
"This is another blatant example of the alcohol industry objectifying women to move product," she said.
Ms Tankard Reist said the product was not only socially irresponsible, but had the potential to harm women.
"There is a huge body of research that shows the highly sexual use of women to sell products can cause a range of psychological issues among women," she said.
"This is demeaning, inappropriate and troubling."
The beer, made by an independent brewer, is available in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with offers to stock the beer coming from New Zealand the UK.
Skinny Blonde spokesman Hamish Rosser said the beer was supposed to be a "bit of cheeky fun".
"We were looking for some ideas that would gain attention," said Mr Rosser, a former member of The Vines rock band.
"This generation of Aussies have grown up on the beach and topless girls in bikinis are commonplace.
"The label and website is in no way meant to offend women or anyone else, rather embrace the Australian beach culture."
But Vic Health chief Todd Harper slammed the use of nudity to encourage drinking.
"The website should be shut down and we should be using this as an opportunity to review the way the alcohol industry promotes products and enjoys the benefit of self-regulation in relation to alcohol advertising," Mr Harper said.
"Alcohol is responsible for a significant degree of harm within our community whether it be in the form of violence, accident or long-term health problems."
He called for an Advertising Standards Bureau crackdown."
SOME POINTS TO PONDER:
- the beer was supposed to be a "bit of cheeky fun"
- what do group members think? Is this "demeaning, inappropriate and troubling"?
*Topless young women and beer have gone hand in hand for aeons, so I don't know what Mr. Todd Harper is getting his undies in a knot over.
This is silly in my opinion. Sex, youth and beauty have always been marketing tools and it is another example of the far right wing people trying to dictate what one can see, and what one cannot.
Good for the company I say! And its cute!
http://www.skinnyblonde.com.au/sixpack/ 
