Some might call this offensive to the weight-challenged, but this new trade ad for National Geographic that appeared in Ad Age does a nice job of melding imagery with copy. Referring to exploding sales and fatter issues brought on by a 35 percent increase in sales over last year, the ad is laced language that relates magazine growth to body size. In some instances, fatness is a good thing – Vogue’s September issues – and in some cases it’s not – 500 pound people who can’t lose weight even though they starve themselves trying. Whether offensive or not, it’s a daring use of imagery in our ridiculously politically correct culture.
Click the image to view the full sized ad.
