Calling all REAL WOMEN…except most of them.

Update (6/29/10): Dove responded calling it an “unplanned gaffe.”  So, it doesn’t sound like the casting company was some kind of scam, it just sounds like this message wasn’t intended to get caught approved.

Wow, Dove really managed to piss me off this morning.

Perhaps you have seen those commercials where Dove touts real women with real bodies?  They have this great marketing campaign calling women to redefine “beauty in their own way.”  It’s a fantastic way to prey on women insecure with their own sense of self (hey, I’m one of them) so that they would buy your more socially responsible products.  Seriously, how many women look like Angeline Jolie?  Not that many…and they want to sell to way more people than that.  In fact, since 2004 Dove has put out advertisements, videos, workshops, sleepovers, and a play to expand their campaign.  The supposed point?  “Celebrate the natural physical variation embodied by all women and inspire them to have the confidence to be comfortable with themselves.”

Unless you want to be in one of their ads.  Check this out:

Thank you, James!

Remember when I said that Orvis was trying to make things right for me?  Well, they did it the other day.  I came home to find a UPS package at my door.  Always excited to see presents, I was surprised to see it was from Orvis.  A package?  Just for a gift card?  I open it curiously, to discover a great exhibition of presentation — here is my gift card, in its full glory:

 

Orvis Gift Card Box

Inside the Box

$200 Gift Card!

Totally wasn’t expecting that!  I had to resist the urge to buy what I really wanted to get for my dog.  My husband convinced me to buy multiple items from Orvis so I can review more than just one gorgeous thing.  Party pooper! 😉  Right now, I’m looking at the no slip paw pads, antlerz dog chews, and the wrought-iron mission-style feeder.  I’ll admit, I’m also curious about the anti-fatigue mat for my own use in the kitchen.

A day later, we also received a rooster for Evee — awfully pretty for a dog toy! — but he was pretty soon decapitated.  (My husband says it reminds him of a chicken named Diablo, whatever that means.)

Thanks again for your customer service, Orvis and James!