Brisbanes Sofitel hotel is handing out the apologies today after a seemingly innocuous print advertisement was called out for sexism and gender stereotyping.
The ad features an attractive young couple lounging about in the hotels bathrobes and enjoying a breakfast platter of fruits and pastries.
However, its the couples choice of reading material that is causing all the consternation. The man reading The Australian Financial Review and the woman forced to suffer a Chanel coffee table book.
A journalist from The Australian, Elizabeth Redman, called out the ad on Twitter, writing, Your breakfast looks delicious just wanted to let you know Im a woman and I also read the Financial Review every day.
Another to take umbrage at the ad described it as being straight out of an episode of Mad Men.
While another added: Yes, newsflash for @SofitelBrisbane some women are in fact more interested in whether stocks and shares are going up and down than whether hemlines are.
Of course, the fruit platter is on her side, shed be loathed to touch the baked goods, another wrote.
A spokesperson for the Sofitel Brisbane responded with: We appreciate you voicing your concerns. There was no intention of portraying a stereotype, but we recognise it and apologise for any offence it has caused.
The creative has been pulled from any future activity. Feel free to send us a DM if youd like to discuss further, the spokesperson said.
Wh-what? ---
"I'm an atheist too but still believe in hell. That's where you're headed pal." - Mr_Karate_II