Barrack Obama Comes to Ottawa

I happened to be standing in the right place at the right time to capture the arrival of President Barrack Obama as his motorcade drove down Colonel By Drive next to the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.

Letter to the Editor Re: Virgin Radio Ads

I have fired off the following "Letter to the Editor" of the Ottawa Citizen, with copies to management at Virgin Radio. I'll be curious to see (1) if it's published and (2) what response I get from Virgin, if any.

To: Letter Editor, Ottawa Citizen

To use the serious social problem of unwanted teenage pregnancy as a vehicle to promote a business as Virgin Radio has done is disrespectful and hurtful. This campaign is counter-productive to developing a comprehensive solution as it serves to stoke the baser predatory instincts of some men.

I am a male who enjoys hard rock music. This does not mean, however, that I will be whipped into a sexual frenzy by listening to the tunes played on Virgin Radio. I have more control than that, as should every one of us. To suggest otherwise is not only offensive, it is wrong.

The marketing moguls of Astral Media view this campaign as part of an effort that "...will build on its heritage to feature a re-energized rock format aimed at 25- to 54-year-old men." This campaign seeks to attract their target audience by, in part, legitimizing the portrayal of men as sexual predators. Unwanted teenage pregnancy as a result of irresponsible sexual behaviour is not a joke. It should not be used as a marketing tool.

I have written to the local management team at Virgin Radio asking them not only to remove the offensive ads, but also publicly state that they understand that they have trivialized a very serious social problem. I believe a public apology from them is in order. A campaign on their part that encouraged donations to our area women's shelters may be a good starting point. Perhaps then they could refocus their "heritage" as one built on social responsibility instead of exploitation of our societal ills. The true "Goddesses & Gods of Rock" do not demean others and instill fear. They inspire us! Virgin Radio should consider doing the same.

Yours truly,
--
Leonard Poole

Are These Virgin Radio Ads Sexist?

I like hard rock like so many other men. Apparently, though if I listen to it on Virgin Radio in Ottawa you would be well advised to lock up your daughters, as I, and many others may not be able to control ourselves. The "Gods of Rock" are about to be unleashed, and unless precautions are taken, your young daughters will be impregnated.


These ads came to my attention in a letter to the editor published this morning. Laura Sparling states:

The ads support the notion of women as property that can and should be supervised, controlled, and even locked up. They suggest that controlling women is the solution to teen pregnancy. They imply that women are not educated enough to make informed decisions about sexual health.

And besides being a slap in the face of all women, the ads are also insulting to men as they portray men as potential sexual predators. Lastly, these ads reinforce the idea that all good music is produced by men rather than including "goddesses of rock."

I couldn't agree with her more, and am doing what I can to draw attention to this issue.

Ms. Sparling has also organized an online petition. It deserves our support.

I also suggest you consider other means to let Virgin Radio know your concerns. I have sent the following comments to the staff at the station:

Greetings to everyone at Virgin Radio in Ottawa!

I tried to send a copy of the email below to your sales dept., but it bounced back. Just wanted to keep you all in the loop that I find your current ad campaign to be quite offensive and am letting my friends and neighbours know my views.

Unwanted teenage pregnancy is a very serious social problem, worldwide. To have it trivialized for a radio station ad campaign is, in my view, appalling. No doubt, we live in a part of the world where free speech is the accepted norm. I am very supportive of that. However, it goes both ways, and I am exercising my freedom as well, as I shall also be commenting on my blog.

Just because I am a male who loves hard rock, doesn't mean that I am going to be stoked into some kind of sexual frenzy by listening to your radio station. I have more control than that, and so should EVERY person. To suggest otherwise, as you do, is wrong.

At this point, the only reason I would be listening to your radio station is to find out who advertises with you, so I know who to avoid.

Not only do I expect you to remove these offensive ads, I also urge you to publicly state that you understand that you have trivialized a very serious social problem, and that you apologize for doing so.

I know, so often any kind of publicity is viewed as good publicity. In this instance, I wouldn't be so sure.

Regards,
Leonard Poole

If you share my concerns, I urge you to let Virgin Radio and your friends and neighbours know!

Virgin Radio ads give slap in face for women

Virgin Radio ads give slap in face for women: "ipetitions.com/petition/nosexisminmyottawa"

Richard Branson gives a great interview, and can seem like such a nice (albeit exceedingly wealthy) guy. How does he defend this type of advertising? More on this soon........