Saturday, April 4, 2009

The Saturday Seven: Provocative Magazine Ads That Will Turn Your Head

Let's face it. Sex sells. Right or wrong, the media knows it. Big Corporations know it. TV networks know it. Ad Agencies know it. And I know it too. So in a shameless move to boost blog traffic, I found inspiration for this week's truly scintillating edition of The Saturday Seven: Provocative Magazine Ads That Will Turn Your Head. I've written 98 editions of my weekly Saturday Seven feature. This has been one of the more interesting to compile. This image above left is an ad for a fitness center- clever juxtaposition of imagery, isn't it? If you are uncomfortable with suggestive images that show a bit of skin, then this would be a good time to move on and come back tomorrow instead. I like to think of this as a "G-rated" (okay maybe "PG) blog, it's almost always safe for all viewers, well nearly all anyway. Today's post is nothing you can't find in a normal magazine or billboard. So without further ado, I present: Provocative Magazine Ads That Will Turn Your Head:

above: #1 Armani Exchange Vixen- this ad combines a little bit of everything. Look closely, what do you see first?

above: #2 Abercrombie and Fitch Wrestlers- innocent but designed to appeal to a target audience for sure.
above #3 Armani Exchange Chests- a woman longingly gazes into the eyes of a hunk with her hands suggestively positioned...

above: #4 Calvin Klein Jeans- designed to intentionally confuse the eye with so much going on. It cleverly associates passion with wearing their jeans.
above: #5 "Gossip Girl Ads"- The guy's chest is the focal point for the teenie-bopper girls who follow this tv show.
above: #6 Abercrombie and Fitch Swimsuit Chase-the ever-so-slight "butt-crack" is the focal point of this playful ad.

above: #7 Diesel Jeans- The position of the woman, the jeans riding low on the guy's waist and the glimpse of her bikini top are just half the fun here. Look closely at the coastline in the background. It is subtle but plays with your mind.
Bonus Feature Today:
And If That Weren't Enough...
Madonna continues to show that sex sells, even at 50:

above: Madonna ad for W, showing her great legs
above: Here, Madonna is a cross between Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield, in my humble opinion.
above: Madonna having fun with this setting of a well dressed lady spying a half naked hunk, barely covering himself in time.
above: More classic Madonna, at her best.
above: Madonna did a series of ads for Luis Vuitton- geared toward a high-end consumer. Interesting to think that her original fan base is now all grown up and can afford luxury purses. So regardless of income bracket, age or socio-economic status, I submit dear readers, that yes, sex does indeed sell.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's semi-controversial post...leave a comment and weigh in!
-Rick Rockhill

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

holy smokes, this is a fun post today. Made my eyes pop open a lot quicker than usual.

Stephen R. said...

Well, just in case your blog traffic doesn't get a big boost from all these pictures, I wanted you to know that I got a boost (and so much more) out of them! Thanks for the perfect start to a Saturday! :)

Desert Songbird said...

To be honest, I prefer clever ads to titillating ones. I think they show more creativity and intelligence.

kenju said...

It sells, all right.

I don't care for the Klein ads. They are too sexy, and children get the idea that sex is all we ever think about and do. IMO, Madonna is more sleazy than sexy.

Rick Rockhill said...

It is interesting, isn't it, that the old adage "less is more" really does apply, at least to me.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

i used to love madonna back in her heyday but she leaves me cold now. in fact i can't stand her now. funny huh?

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxooxoxox

KathyA said...

What the hell was Calvin Klein thinking!!??

beachgirl said...

I love the Calvin Klein ads. He has always pushed the envelope. He sure didn't disapoint this year.
Abacrombe is also another one that goes over the top. But I don't really care either way.
Madonna is just Madonna. She has always pushed the edge. And she's wealthy because she dares.
Have an awesome day.

jackie said...

The Clavin Klein and Armani ads are the best, they tease and tantilize.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

It is so interesting Rick...I grew up in a time when photographs like these were found in "dirty" magazines...lol...That's what they were called....And now. well...It is just everyday.
Personally I find most of them quite beautiful but extremely provocative and none of them would make me want to buy any of the clothing...That AD with the Presidents faces sinking in the ocean has quite a sense of humor....And though it too seems pretty extreme---the girl humping the tree, etc., etc...It is fun!
Great idea for a post, my dear.

Diane J Standiford said...

I love sexy ads. I love naked bodies. More! Some with wit are always enjoyable. We are sooo puritanical over here. (But I am unmoved my "ads")

Casdok said...

Your so right sex does sell. Great post!

whimsical brainpan said...

I need a cold shower!

I am not a prude by anyones definition, but some of those ads border on pornography.

Olivia said...

Yep, I agree with the proponents of "less is more".

As for Madonna, they're all great pics except for the first one where her legs do look a bit old.

Karelian Blonde said...

Most of these pictures failed to get a response from me and I thought they were quite boring actually and I would not buy the products they were trying to endorse.

Abercrombie and Fitch Swimsuit Chase was the only one that looked real and not carefully posed and it made me smile :)

WAT said...

One has to work hard for a hot male bod like the ones in those ads.

Apparently I'm not working hard enough. I'm lazy. Let's face it! I'm LAZY! WHY?! WHAT THA HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?!

Oops, this isn't therapy. Sorry.

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