Many Use Food to Communicate Their Need for Help. Few Understand That.

These two ads are from ABA (Associazione per lo studio e la ricerca sull’anoressia, la bulimia e i disordini alimentari), the Italian eating disorder association. The text reads, "Many use food to communicate their need for help. Few understand that."

Food and eating are ways of expressing what the sufferer is afraid to express directly. Instead of reaching out and saying "I need help," people with disordered eating turn to food or they turn away from it. These ads make that basic fact clear, but we would like to see the series expanded to show how disordered eating has become a universal language that women and men of all shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities have learned to speak. Young Jennifer Connelly look-a-likes (could that girl be her doppleganger?) are certainly not the only ones who are fluent.

What's your impression of this campaign? [Osocio]

America's Next "Real People" Models

Simon Rogers runs a talent agency called Ugly NY. He's not looking for high fashion or fierce. No, his job is to scout models with a certain je ne sais quoi. Despite the provocative agency name, the models signed to Ugly NY aren't all ugly--they are "unusual" and "unique." Remember that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry's blind friend thinks he's dating a model (played by the amazing Jackie Hoffman)? Well, maybe she was a model after all.

There is a growing market for "real people" models. It seems that Madison Avenue is cashing in on America's recent love affair with homegrown celebrity and the average albeit quirky Joe. Perhaps that explains why YouTube sensation Tay Zonday is now the star of a Dr. Pepper commercial?

We're all about seeing more real people when we flip the channels and flip through magazines. The downside here is that "ugly" amateurs generally get paid a fraction of what the pretty pros make (shocker). Advertisers say that they're not just trying to save a few bucks by hiring these mostly nonunion workers left and right, but we suspect that many real people are getting really bad deals.

And because everything goes back to reality television, Rogers says that Ugly NY will be the subject of an upcoming cable reality show. Yeah, we'll be watching. [New York Times]

Do You Think I'm Fat?

This PSA was produced by the National Eating Disorders Association:



There are some striking similarities between this spot and the much-discussed Dove "Onslaught" campaign. For the record, we love both. But given the recent criticism of Dove (thanks to Kelly at Strollerderby for the link), we do think it's important to make the distinction between advertising and a public service announcement. So let's be clear. The message above has absolutely no affiliation with any global corporation responsible for online games like "Is Your Shower Hottie Ready?"

Dove "Onslaught" Campaign

Half of girls in grades 3-5 worry about their appearance. Here are several hundred reasons why:

Why is No-l-ita Offering No-Information for Sufferers?

After all this talk about the "No Anorexia" campaign, I decided to show you a picture of another nude model--me.

This is from a 1999 article in Glamour, when I first went public about my seven-year battle with bulimia. I was healthy when the photo was taken, but my body didn't look much different from when I was very sick. That's the thing about eating disorders. They don't always look so shocking.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about the No-l-ita ad campaign. First, it is of no surprise to me that the campaign comes from Oliviero Toscani. After all his years at Benetton, he has become known for this style. I think he is a great artist in his ability to increase the visibility of taboo topics. He has certainly gotten people talking with this uncomfortable, extreme image of a very sick anorexic. After Ana Carolina Reston's death last year and the declarations and recommendations of fashion councils around the world, I am glad to see the discussion continue. However, it saddens me to see that, yet again, the focus is on the extreme. Yes, sensationalism works and gets people's attention, but it's such a limited view of what eating disorders look like. I appeared on a few billboards when I was so ill and depressed I thought I would die. That desperation never showed up in the pictures, though.

Finally, publicity for the sake of it is, in my mind, very selfish, irresponsible and money-oriented. When I came out and talked publicly about my eating disorder, I didn't just want to put myself in the spotlight--I wanted to make sure that my story helped and served a purpose. That's why I searched for an organization that worked to raise awareness and helped people deal and get treatment. Whenever I talk about my own experience, I make sure that there are resources available for anyone who needs help. Since No-l-ita is taking on eating disorders as the face of their campaign, it would be thoughtful for them to give eating disorder resources on their website. When you see that billboard, what next? How about providing some information on the issue they're using to get attention? Controversy gets people buzzing. But let's make sure this is not a case of all talk and no action.

Note: We have written to No-l-ita, suggesting that they include health and referral information as part of their campaign. We have not received a response yet, but will keep you updated.

Related:
Fashion Statement: Oliviero Toscani
Has the "No Anorexia" Ad Become Pro-Ana Thinspiration?

Photo: Michael O'Neil

Has the "No Anorexia" Ad Become Pro-Ana Thinspiration?

The nude image of Isabelle Caro, a 27-year-old anorexic, is turning up on billboards all over Italy and spreading like wildfire over the internet. No-l-ita says they launched this campaign to "use advertising as an instrument to promote awareness of social evils." But many fear that while the image may shock most, it will likely be used as a source of "thinspiration" for those who frequent pro-ana websites, MySpace pages and message boards.

How could anyone strive to look like a startling picture of such serious illness? For starters, pro-anas are ill themselves. And they are looking for validation. Over at MamaVISION, there's an interesting debate going on. Shana, from the "post-pro-ana" site We Bite Back (an online community started by a former pro-ana who got tired of looking for thinspiration and decided to get healthy) had this to say:

"people turn to pro-ana because anorexia hurts like hell. and it hurts even more to think that what you are doing is twisted and sick and wrong and abnormal. so if they turn it around, make starvation holy, coveted and an ideal, it makes their illness almost a… talent. it’s a desperate attempt to feel good. and it can work, just very temporarily."

The image is shocking on its own. That's what severe anorexia looks like. Now imagine a girl or young woman who sees this ad and thinks, "I wonder how much she weighs. Do I have more 'fat' on my thighs? How long will it take before my ribs stick out like that?" For some, that's what anorexia feels like.

Related:
Fashion Statement: Oliviero Toscani
Why is No-l-ita Offering No-Information for Sufferers?

Girls Know What Girls Want

Calling all advertisers: Want to know what girls really think of your ads? Consult 3iYing. This "all-girl" agency has asked hundreds of teens and twenty-something young women to give their honest opinions about why most advertising completely misses the mark (and pisses off the target consumers in the process).

In a series of video and photo flips, girls take on the advertising industry and tell it like it is.

Maayan, 17, has a message for Godiva:



And Maria, 19, has some choice words for Close Up toothpaste:



The girls of the 3iYing also authored the "Girl Improved" column in Business Week, offering their take on the most common advertising mistakes and how to fix them. So now it's your turn. What ads would you flip?

[You Tube and Flickr] via [Jezebel]