Mildly Funny, with a Side of Misogyny


There is a place in this world for dick jokes. Jokes about boobs can be funny, too. But they’re rarely a good idea in corporate marketing campaigns, even when it is just supposed to be a parody of another stupid marketing campaign and released on April Fools’ Day.

Either that or Richard Branson really doesn’t understand how planes work or how birds fly. But coming from a guy with his background I’m pretty sure that’s not the issue here.

Lest there be any doubt, that's a joke about boobs, not how birds fly
Lest there be any doubt, that’s a joke about boobs, not how birds fly

Way to go, Virgin America; you nailed it with this one.

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Seth Miller

I'm Seth, also known as the Wandering Aramean. I was bit by the travel bug 30 years ago and there's no sign of a cure. I fly ~200,000 miles annually; these are my stories. You can connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

9 Comments

      1. I don’t really know James K, but I’m also failing to see the misogyny. I’d say that screencap is more a butt than boobs. And there’s a wall full of doodles filled with all sorts of sexual imagery, both male and female. Crass, juvenile, but not sure how that’s hostile towards women?

        1. Part of that has to do with Mr. Branson’s history. And the gestures used in the video. Also, are you suggesting that it is okay because it is inappropriate to everyone?

          Like I said, I think there’s a useful place in life for such jokes. Corporate marketing is not that.

          1. Definitely inappropriate for an airline. Might work as parody of self-important designers in a sketch show. Crass and juvenile aren’t good marketing. I hope that Spirit’s shake-up stops their salacious campaigns (which many times did reek of misogyny).Just don’t see anything here that’s particularly denigrating to women.

  1. Um, the name of the brand is Virgin… Also, this company is not corporate America. Or maybe you don’t understand British humor?

    1. It is a San Francisco-based airline flying primarily in the USA. What about it is not corporate America?

      Or are we trying the “too cool to play by the rules” approach so it is actually cute to be sexist and crass? Because that’s bullshit, too, IMO.

  2. You’re correct about the “mildly” part. A lot of effort for a fake commercial that didn’t generate a lot of laughs.

Comments are closed.