Honda dealership under fire for sexist rink ad

Image via Teri Pecoskie

Apparently, this is an ad that the Henley Honda dealership in  St. Catharines, Ontario, saw fit to put in front of the visitors' bench at the Meridian Centre, where the Niagara IceDogs play.

In Canada. In 2016.

Using sexism to troll opposing teams has a long tradition in sports, including painting visitors' locker rooms pink. But how regressive do you have to be to use feminine imagery to insult male athletes in the 21st Century? Especially as more and more women play, watch, and love hockey and other sports.

The advertiser didn't just make an honest mistake, either. This is how they reacted to criticism on Twitter:

The Protein World reference is telling. But while Protein World and Gourmet Burger Kitchen are brands appealing to a narrow demographic of young people, Honda is a major brand that depends on selling to all walks of life. For the Honda brand, sexism by a rogue dealer is simply bad business.

Thanks to Justin for the tip!

Update:

Obligatory Honda CR-V Matthew/Ferris Post

Like many of you, I have already seen this on AdFreak and elsewhere. I'm just posting it so people stop sending it to me.



It's a really great piece of '80s homage, and is really kind to the source material as well as the actor's dignity. Well done, RPA.

More background info here and here.

It's not that I'm not also fascinated by the Super Bowl advertising orgy of conspicuous budget consumption. I just hate to be overly "me too" on this blog.

Vote for America's Worst Ads

Today, Consumerist announced its finalist nominees for "Worst Ad in America", as chosen by its readers.

The online ballot has most of the campaigns linked, but I'll embed the 2010 contestants here for ABSOLUTE WORST AD IN AMERICA:












Other categories and finalists are listed below. (Ignore the radio buttons, it was a C&P.)

MOST GRATING PERFORMANCE BY A HUMAN

Nationwide Insurance: The World's Greatest Spokesperson In the World5-Hour Energy: Mr. "Do You Know What 2:30 Feels Like?"Wendy's: That "Pico De Gallo!" loudmouth (no link)1-800 Dentist: The last woman on Earth you'd want in the elevator with youMcDonald's: The "Not Until I've Had My Coffee" jerkface

MOST ANNOYING ANIMATED SPOKESTHING

Charmin: The Sticky-Bottomed BearsThe General Insurance: The GeneralMichelin: The Happy Roadkill CrewOmnaris: The Scientists From the Uncanny ValleyGeico: The Squealing Piggy

DUO OR GROUP THAT MOST NEEDS TO BE BROKEN UP

Capital One: Barbarians (or are they Vikings?) at the ATMGeico: Geico Cavemen, ft. Cast Of The Deadliest CatchToyota: The Toyota Sienna CoupleJG Wentworth: The Opera Singing Bus RidersChase: The honeymooning newlyweds who are way too excited about the check-depositing iPhone app (no link)

CELEBRITY WHO MUST HAVE LOST THE MOST MONEY IN HOUSING CRASH

Dannon Activia: Jamie Lee CurtisFreeReport.com: Ben SteinExtenze: Jimmy JohnsonRent-A-Center: Troy Aikman & Hulk HoganDannon Light & Fit: Heidi Klum

CREEPIEST COMMERCIAL

Dodge: "Kittens"Liberator Medical: No More Used CathetersOld Navy: The Super ModelquinsApple: iPhone Facetime -- "Smile"Allstate: Mr. Mayhem

They are indeed bad ads, but I was hoping more of them would be epic trainwreck bad. I guess the vox populi nature of nomination and voting would automatically favour well-known crappy national campaigns than hilariously awkward (but obscure) local ones. Oh well...

Go to Consumerist to view and vote before 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, 9/28/2010.