GorillaOffTopic, Everything But Gorilla Trades

Sex, sells. We are all aware of this fact, like it or not. Studies have shown that time and time again, the pretty girl turns heads; on the street AND in advertising. Shallow? Perhaps, but it is a fact of life that most people are much more apt to notice an advertisement if there is an attractive person in it.  Apparently, Spirit Airlines agrees, and that is why they have decided to “go that route” along with everyone else these days. 

It’s comical really- and when the Gorilla first read this story, he must admit, he didn’t know whether to giggle or get mad at it. (He chose to giggle.) So, what exactly is Spirit doing that is so controversial? Well, nothing that hasn’t been done before time. The airline, based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is selling their new low fares via a web-based ad they are calling the “MILF” sale. “MILF” is short for “Many Islands, Low Fares” and is being used to tout extremely low fares (between $69 - $89) to one of the airline’s many Caribbean destinations.

Innocent enough at first glance, wouldn’t you agree? Well, not according to some very skeptical online bloggers, who have a very different opinion. They have pointed out that the term “MILF” is an “obscene” term used to describe an “attractive mom” and have suggested that perhaps Spirit was somehow “unaware” of the term when they chose it for the ads. Many others feel that Spirit was well aware of the term and produced the ads this way quite intentionally. (Hard to believe, but when you see it, it certainly grabs your attention!) The Gorilla is leaning toward the opinion as well. After all, it would be extremely difficult to believe that a bunch of advertising executives got together to brain-storm this new campaign and not one person- man or woman- knew what this term meant! Regardless, you have to ask, is this just an innocent ad or is this the case of a “dirty-minded” society? The Gorilla should mention that the ads feature one of the islands reconfigured to look like a woman lounging.  Hmm! Take a look at the ads on SpiritAir.com and YOU be the judge!