
Sexist tube adverts are a guaranteed way to get your brand talked about, provided it can weather the negative publicity.
It worked for Protein World, who made £1 million immediately following their beach body ready campaign, which enraged many.
Marsh & Parsons, the London estate agents, have taken a leaf out of their book, with a provocative advert.
The poster has gathered an instant negative reaction on social media:
Yuk https://t.co/6hE2WkoBUN— Sam Missingham (@Sam Missingham) 1490608595
@samatlounge 160 years? Have they changed their advertising strategy or agency since they formed?? Bad taste guys and very poorly judged.— Tony Edgcumbe (@Tony Edgcumbe) 1490616989
I think Marsh & Parsons may have miscued slightly here. https://t.co/TiHfhSsQZX— Nigel Walley (@Nigel Walley) 1490615031
What a 1980s chauvinistic advert. Marsh and Parsons have alienated female clients with this advertising campaign. https://t.co/8vg9glmmfd— Chronicles of Tania (@Chronicles of Tania) 1490649585
People pointed out if they were aiming for edgy, they could've been more clever:
How much more enlightened @marshandparsons would've seemed if they'd gender reversed this advert https://t.co/Jj6gGrvrdE— Naomi Smith (@Naomi Smith) 1490347563
The ad is one in a series which describes people as if they are property:
High Barnet, Northern Line, OldStreet - Got to love those @marshandparsons ads, this is up there with the double-fr… https://t.co/5bXrbhNWCB— Chris Bailey (@Chris Bailey) 1486157710
Picture: Marsh and Parsons
Picture: Marsh and Parsons
Picture: Marsh and Parsons
According to the Evening Standard, David Brown, CEO of Marsh & Parsons, said:
Marsh & Parsons has a recent history of tongue-in-cheek advertisements that compare people to property and reflect that the range of people we work with are as diverse as the types of properties we sell and let.
The campaign, created by a team of men and women, is designed to be thought-provoking and to prompt conversation, but it was not our intention to cause offence.
It would appear that this particular advert - taken apart from the rest of the campaign - has done so and we will be taking steps to remove it as a result.