Chobani Posts Ad Inspired By Gay-Pride Flag, Takes On Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

1) Do you think it is appropriate for a product or advertiser to use a social issue like gay rights to market a product?

I do not think an advertiser should use social issues to market their products because I think they could possibly offend a lot of people and I feel they are taking advantage of social issues. Firstly I believe it can offend a a lot of people if an advertiser uses social issues to bring awareness to firstly their product and secondly the social issue. The social issue the advertiser is using should come before the advertising of their product and I think most advertisers fail to do this. The right intention is behind their ideas, however it usually comes across as if the advertiser is taking advantage of these issues to come up with clever marketing ideas.

2) What communities might find the Chobani ad offensive?

The communities that might find this offensive are the gay and lesbian communities, the government and people who work to bring awareness to social issues in communities. I think these people might find this offensive because Chobani is using a important social issue to market his product, which will allow him to make large amounts of revenue, which isn't right. I am aware that he is trying to show that the American's are defying the anti-gay laws that were established in Russia, and I think he has good intentions, however he is going about it the wrong way.

3) Are the Olympics an appropriate venue to address human rights issues? Explain.


Since the Olympics are on such a large stage and so many people watch them, that addressing human rights can be considered to be both a positive and a negative thing.  I think it can be a positive thing because so many people will be made aware of specific social issues. As well if they use the athletes to address these issues, people who idolize then are going to be more likely to help these social issues be eliminated around the world. However I also think this is a negative place to address human rights issues because the Olympics are focused on athletes trying to be the best in the world and to bring prestige and pride to their countries. Ultimately the Olympics are a sporting event that brings everyone in the world together to cheer on their country, therefore it isn't the best setting to be discussing social issues in the world.






This is the link to the article Emily Thomas wrote about this ad: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/08/chobani-gay-ad_n_4752509.html