Wendy’s Sells Burgers Using Positive Role Models
May 28, 2009
by Karen
The New Agenda has been speaking out against Burger King’s sexualization of girls, so we thought it fair to present information on an alternative style of fast-food marketing. Karen, a college history student, aspiring author, and part-time Wendy’s employee, expresses her own opinions, not necessarily those of The New Agenda.
keen on introducing terminology and puzzles that exceed what traditional TV producers would consider standard fare.
So far, Wendy’s is the only fast food place marketing pro-woman toys to young children. I am very proud to work there, and I want everyone to know what a good job Wendy’s is doing. I was appalled with Burger King using a children’s cartoon to promote sexism, so I find it refreshing that the store I work at is promoting anti-sexism in its toys and games.
Pro-woman advertising has become a recent trend at Wendy’s. A previous ad placed Wendy in a Rosie-the-Riveter pose. After the WordGirl toys, Wendy’s plans to sell a collection of four Sports Illustrated CD adventures, each CD featuring a different character. Two of these characters are girls, one playing baseball and the other playing soccer. I hope that by informing people about these positive trends, I can further the rising status of women and the downfall of sexism.
Great article! I’ll be taking my business to Wendys.
Would love to see TNA give Wendy’s recognition for this.
Although I think the fellow who started the place has died, I seem to recall that the Wendy’s name (and face on the logo) was his daughter’s. I doubt that the company would be happy to tart up the thing.
Once again, a data point in favor of men being more likely to become feminist once they have daughters, even if they wouldn’t recognize it as such. And sadly, not all of them. But in general, having daughters does seem to be a push in the direction of increasing humanity for men overall.
Thanks for the great article Karen!!! Keep up the good work.
Janis—-Dave Thomas, the Wendy’s founder, DID name the restaurants after his daughter, right here in Columbus, Oh, the corporate headquarters. Although it is always in the eye of the beholder, I don’t see anything “tart-y” at all about WordGirl. She seems daring, saucy, smart, and not afraid to show it. And fully and modestly dressed.
And it’s about her brain, not other parts of her body. What’s so bad about that?
No, there’s nothing wrong — I’m saying that there isn’t any tary-ness about the Wendy’s advertising at all, and that it may be because the iconic face on the restaurant chain is that of the founder’s daughter. It has prevented them from going down the typical route that so many companies go down — because the man who led the place for so long has a reason to think about the humanity of girls, and the humanity of the exploitable logo of the restaurant in particular. I’m not at ALL saying a bad thing about Wendy’s.
-hope floats. I rarely eat fast food but it sure won’t be at BK. That is a very refreshing message Wendy’s is sending out.
Got it Janis—-thanks for the clarification
OK – would someone please comment on why we aren’t going after Jack in the Box for their commercial showing a woman going through menopause as “Street Rat Crazy”? Their words, not mine.
Ellen D,
Can you provide us with a video or an article about this…had not heard about this one.
Leave your response!