A female blogger has laid into the latest Dell TV ad, calling it "patronising" and "disappointing" and dreamt up by "a group of middle aged balding [we presume she means men] in marketing".
"Lady Geek" aka Belinda Parmar lays into the advert promoting Dell's pink laptops on marketing website Brand Republic: "Its (sic) official. Ladies, get your pink handbags out. The new ad from PC World and Dell is officially the most patronising ever."
The co-branded Dell/PC World ad starts: "My world is fashion. I just have to colour co-ordinate everything. Even my laptop. That's why I love the new Dell laptop."
"Pass me the barf bag," says Lady Geek. "It just gets worse. 'Should I get pink to match my shoes'".
"This is an example of two companies who have money to waste. Two companies who have no idea of how to talk to women and, most importantly, no idea of the role that technology plays in a women's life," she continues.
Lady Geek is disappointed that Dell hadn't learnt from its recent Della 'for women' website, which she says "seems to have such bad press that they have renamed it" - especially as she thinks the Dell Inspiron and 10 are "fantastic pieces of kit".
"None of the professional women I know (which is where the biggest financial opportunity is) would be seen dead with a pink laptop. For most women over the age of 12, pink is definitely not their world. And even more offensive is not the colour, but the positioning.
"The women I speak to love technology. The creativity and human interaction it adds to their life. Not because it matches their shoes," she rants.
"Brands like Dell and PC world are too short sighted to see the opportunity that we represent," she concludes.
Comments on the blog are split. Mark Griffiths says "The market is girls and young 20-somethings who are still into pretty pink. Ever been to Japan? Everything other gadget is pink."
Gordon Macmillan comments: "I thought only six year old girls, and Katie Price live in a world of pink. Even at home a pink laptop? I mean really I don't see it."
What do you think? Are the Dell ads patronising to women or are all us giggly ladies really a sucker for anything pink? Add your own comments below...
Comments
steg said: My girlfriend just bought a blue car It never occurred to me that she must have a masculine core I wonder if she swings could have some fun
erm said: everyones different Some girls wouldnt be seen dead with a pink laptop some cant think of anything cooler Each to their own
Douglas M said: When my wife just went back to college I thought it would be a good idea to get her a new laptop all for her own instead of the family shared computer The first thing out of her mouth was can I get it in pinkShe is 35DM
Bloody Feminists said: Its only a laptop ffs whats wrong with pink Lots of girlswomen like pinkyou moaning lesbian
i thought said: pink was for the gays
paul c said: Sorry to say but women are against women once again Stop these people having everything pink in the first place it gives the total wrong picture about women in generalWhat is wrong with other colours
degent said: Poor woman She needs to analyse why she is so bitter and twisted
Get a grip woman said: There are many things in this world much more important than this Wars suffering disease Get some perspective
Cantilever Pettifog said: YOU DONT LIKE IT DONT BUY IT IF THERES NO MARKET FOR IT IT WONT SELL COMPANY IS SAD IF THERE IS A MARKET FOR IT COMPANY WAS JUSTIFIED IN MARKETING IT THAT WAYOH BOO HOOO
Mulberry Miss said: Im a purple lass myself Im all for a splash of colour - makes a change from black or silver
Fisherman said: What about gay people They like pink as well so shes being homophobic in a way I like pink Pink salmon
Starvey said: What a load of tripe Most women I know love pink so why shouldnt they be able to buy a pink laptop These sorts of feminists would rather everything was in grey or dungaree denim