Ricky Martin Gay Mascara Ad

Ricky Comes Out, Mascara Marketers Swoop In

April 14, 2010

Yardley, purveyor of soap to my grandpa, recently decided to get clever in English ad campaigns for its waterproof mascara by referencing Ricky Martin's recent official coming out. I love livin' la vida loca as much as the next girl, but I was neither surprised nor particularly saddened by Ricky's announcement.

Actually, my feelings were a lot more like "Good for him!" than teary eyed and forlorn, so I'm a little confused about this particular ad. Also, is it just me, or is this not exactly in the best of taste, and about a decade too late? What do you think — is it a clever ad campaign, or a miss?

11 Comments

GummiBears 3 years 5 weeks

Two thumbs down on this ad.

GummiBears 3 years 5 weeks

Two thumbs down on this ad.

psterling 3 years 5 weeks

Definitely 10 years too late but I don't think anyone should be offended by it.

tlsgirl 3 years 5 weeks

Ooooh, now I get it. Yeah, this one totally went over my head.

runswimmerrun 3 years 5 weeks

1. This ad is not tacky or tasteless. It doesn't say anything untrue or hurtful. If anything it should flatter Ricky Martin that someone believes that his actions carry any resonance in this decade. 2. It is clever. It may not spark an impulsive purchase, but I didn't even know Yardley made mascara. Also, here we are discussing the ad, so it made some impression.

runswimmerrun 3 years 5 weeks

1. This ad is not tacky or tasteless. It doesn't say anything untrue or hurtful. If anything it should flatter Ricky Martin that someone believes that his actions carry any resonance in this decade.2. It is clever. It may not spark an impulsive purchase, but I didn't even know Yardley made mascara. Also, here we are discussing the ad, so it made some impression.

3 years 6 weeks

It wouldn't seem so much like tacky exploitation if they donated a percent of sales to the Human Rights Campaign or something.