Friday, January 26, 2024

16517: Speaking Out For Spokespeople.

 

The New York Times published a report titled, “When Being A Spokeswoman Attracts Leering Trolls,” chronicling the trials and tribulations of Milana Vayntrub, aka AT&T Store Saleswoman Lily.

 

Not to discount the traumatic turmoil experienced by Vayntrub, but it seems like the actress has garnered quite a bit of publicity from the troll-induced violation.

 

Why, she’s even received support from fellow actress-spokeswoman Stephanie Courtney, aka Progressive Saleswoman Flo. Um, no comment—except to say that Internet trolls cover a diversity of deviants.

 

At least Vayntrub got public backing from AT&T, per a company statement issued in 2020 that read: “We will not tolerate the inappropriate comments and harassment of Milana Vayntrub, the talented actor who portrays Lily in our ads. We have disabled or deleted these comments on our social content that includes Lily and we will continue to fight to support her and our values, which appreciate and respect all women.”

 

Hey, the AT&T declaration is a lot compared to the silent shrugs expressed by AB InBev and Bud Light for Dylan Mulvaney, who arguably took far more abuse than Vayntrub or Courtney—not to imply it’s a contest with varying degrees of unacceptability.

 

Given that women of color are disrespected and assaulted at much higher levels—and with far less coverage—versus White women, one can only imagine who else is facing such outrageous harassment.

 

Was Annie the Chicken Queen forced to abandon her advertising role after being abused? What about the Pine-Sol Lady and Honey Bunches of Oats spokeswoman?

 

In these times of inclusivity and gender equality, don’t forget to verify the safety of the Old Spice Man and Jake from State Farm.

 

And who knows what level of obscene behavior these spokespeople might endure on production sets from advertising agency predators.

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