Monday, February 1, 2010

Austrian Army "Pick-Up" Ad Withdrawn After Sexism Complaints

An advertisement aimed at kick-starting declining Austrian Army recruitment has been shelved after complaints of sexism. The ad showed young women chasing a tank for a "joy-ride." In order to do so, they passed up a macho-looking Audi driver.

While the Army was all for the ad, saying "Our clip is so dorky it's brilliant," Judith Goetz, in charge of feminist issues at the Austrian Students' Union, said: "It is totally archaic to show such an obviously sexist video when women are part of the Austrian military."

A "loose translation" from the YouTube video follows:

Audi Driver: hey Girls, wanna go for a spin in my fast ride?
Girls: ehh not sure, there's not even enough space for all of us
Soldier: wazzup girls, in the mood for a joyride?
Girls: *yaaaaay*
Soldier: join the army if you wanna drive a tank
Soldier2: jump in, starting engine
Audi Driver: hey, what about the spin?
Girl: forget it, I want to drive something big
Narrator: the Austrian Armed Forces offer unique opportunities for young people who are at least 18, everything else is just everday life


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