Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by George, Kansas on February 16, 2008:

Couldn't be any worse than the Bratz dolls and clothing. Bratz dolls come complete with hooker heels. Dress your pre-pubescent in a Bratz outfit and provide eye-candy for all pedophiles....

Posted by Carol, Ann Arbor, MI on February 16, 2008:

Personally, I thought Lolita was an inappropriate name, as well. I've never heard the name used anywhere but in the book/movies. Sorry, gentlemen, I don't think that makes me small minded. Marketing a bed for little girls named after a little girl used as a sex object is twisted. I'm sure it's not the only infamous name people avoid. How many men to you meet called Judas?

Posted by David, nyc on February 16, 2008:

People who don't get the connection to the name need to use any search engine for "lolita" and find out how many porn sites turn up. I don't get that response with any other name I've tried.

Posted by Jim, Dalton, GA on February 16, 2008:

Did you miss the website about 10 years ago offering "Monica Cigars"?

Posted by Andrew, MI on February 16, 2008:

Re: the "Chilly Bang Bang" gun... Pez Candy did the same thing a number of years ago; that one also got pulled, and for the same reason.

American advertising, in general, seems to be developing more of a proclivity for questionable (or down-right off color) ads and commercials; the current commercial for KY Intrigue springs to mind.

Posted by John, BC Canada on February 16, 2008:

I have a great nephew, 28, whose fiance is named Lolita, 24, and both of them are completely unaware of the significance of the name. I am still taken aback when called to say her name.

Posted by Janet, chesapeake on February 16, 2008:

I am only thankful my daughter is an adult now. The "prostitot" look missed her by a mile. Marketing to children has crossed a line that was tacitly known and kept for decades.

Posted by Linda, North Carolina on February 16, 2008:

Questionable advertising - How about Domino Pizza's BFD? Big "Fantastic" Deal according to the miniscule print on the ads.

Personally, I'm not offended by KY Intrigue. It is a product for adults and marketed as such. I was offended by BurgerKing's Chicken Fries ads with "Chicken Heads" and some girl bobbing for a chicken fry being dangled over her open mouth.

As for kiddie oriented marking that's inappropriate -- Guess you missed the Stripper in training "fitness" pole from Tesco, complete with a garter and play money with the catchy tag line "Unleash the sex kitten inside ... soon you'll be flaunting it to the world and earning a fortune in Peekaboo Dance Dollars."

How about the Kiddie Tattoo set with 'realistic' inking action. They have one for boys and when I was looking for a link to send you I found a pink airbrush version for girls.

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Several other comments note the Tesco "stripper pole", including a fair number that I didn't approve since they didn't add anything to it, as you did. -rc

Posted by Denise, NC on February 16, 2008:

Could have been worse...

Could have been a teddy bear named after a certain Islamic prophet.

Posted by Swiggy, Elkhart IN on February 16, 2008:

One reason is that I keep copies of nearly every image posted, clean or obscene. This one walks a fine line. As for it being advertising, i doubt it as the photo quality is not in the same league as advertising photos. It looks more like a snapshot that's had some editing.