A Utah nonprofit is leading a campaign against a nationwide fast food chain, which they claim is objectifying women in its advertising.
Twin sisters Lindsay and Lexie Kite are pushing back against a Carl’s Jr. advertising campaign they say objectifies women. The ads feature bikini-clad women eating the fast-food chain’s burgers in a seductive manner.
The sisters hold doctorate degrees from the University of Utah and run a nonprofit called Beauty Redefined, focusing on issues surrounding women’s body image and media influence. They have engaged the public through a social media campaign using “#CutTheCarls,” and “#MoreThanMeat” as digital rallying points.
“Using the hashtags helps people to see that there are other people who agree with them and are going to do more than just switch the channel when the commercials come on,” Lindsay Kite said. “We can actually do something that could be visible to Carl’s Jr. if people are willing to stop being complacent and take their money elsewhere.”
They are asking consumers to boycott Carl’s Jr. in order to involve the company in conversation about sexual objectification in advertising.
According to media, Carl’s Jr. said the ads, which began in 2005, are aimed at catching the attention of young, hungry boys. The company said it respects the contribution of women to society.
