Ads are awesome. They’re eye-catching and fun, they’re appealing,…they bring out the much-appreciated giggle every now and then. But some businesses take the route of linking sleaze and advertising every now and then.

The Dolce & Gabanna ad above is a prime example. This provocative ad positions a woman lying helplessly on the ground with her wrists being forcefully constrained. She lays powerless – practically like a puppy dog chained by the neck – while several men loom above looking down at her, clearly dominating the scene. The whole image reflects the implication that women are purportedly subservient to men. The Candies ad to the upper right also gives off this message. Along with the man’s nudity, the suggestive positioning of the hands and legs almost screams “sex” in this image. The man is portrayed as the obvious dominant one; his facial expression says he’s the boss in control and ready for his own pleasure. As for the girl, her facial expression isn’t even visible! Her emotions are thereby concealed by the man’s shoulder; she is being portrayed as one without feelings – a mere object – that’s simply there to quench the man’s thirst for sex.

Whether it’s objectifying or degrading women, promoting sexism through advertising campaigns displays a clear lack of integrity on a company’s part. Sometimes, it’s honestly hard to believe that campaigns like this are still being tolerated today. Sure, maybe “sex sells”…. But seriously?

Advertising companies, is this really all you’ve got?