Chapter 5: The Self
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Metrosexuals – urban males who blend macho attitudes with a heightened focus on
their appearance and more in touch with their emotions – have the attention of
marketers of products ranging from beer to cable television to skin- care. “Men are
tired of being depicted as Neanderthals,” said Tom Bick, senior brand manager for
Miller beer. Miller’s beer has been reworked to focus on it as an intelligent
alternative to other beers and to portray its drinkers as people who stand apart from
the crowd.
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E. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Consumers – Interested in graduate
school, physical fitness, self-improvement, more stress in daily lives, self-
employed
1. Segmenting the gay market – One survey identified five distinct market
segments.
IV. BODY IMAGE – Subjective evaluation of one’s physical self
A. Body Cathexis – A person’s feelings about aspects of his or her body
B. Ideals of Beauty – Physical features, clothing styles, cosmetics, hair styles, skin
tone, youthfulness, muscular tone, etc.
1. Is beauty universal – Bound feet, skinny waists, inserted plates in lips,
long necks, tan, white, breast reduction/enlargement; mass media plays a
significant role
2. The Western ideal of beauty – Big round eyes, tiny waists, large breasts,
blond hair and blue eyes
3. Ideals of beauty over time – Realignment of sexual dimorophic markers
4. Is the ideal getting real? – Dove’s campaign for real beauty
5. Male ideals of beauty – Strongly masculine, muscled body
C. Working on the Body – Diet food/drink, tanning salons
1. Hair and the self
2. Fattism – “You can never be too thin or too rich”
3. Body image distortions – Diet and exercise (dieting, low fat, low-calorie,
Weight Watchers); unrealistic standards - Barbie is unnaturally long and
thin; eating disorders - anorexia and bulimia; exercise addiction -
compulsive runners
Class Interaction Opportunity: Some analysts espouse the idea that society is punishing
women for their achievements by forcing them to live a daily regimen of semi-starvation.
What do you think is the role of marketing in distorting and perpetuating appearance
ideals in women? In men?