I don't know how to take this sexist poster at the NYC Auto Show.

[JohnnyRingo]

Dozens of these posters popped up all over the grounds in the area of the NY Auto Show that began this week. The retro color print shows GM CEO Mary Barra kneeling before GM president Dan Ammann and the caption "It's Ammann's World". The poster is done in the style of offensively sexist '60s advertising.

When I first saw it I was appalled that Barra and her family could see this demeaning image of Ms Barra depicting her as subservient to the man who occupies the corporate rung just below her, but the more I considered it the more I wondered.

Being a car guy in nature, when I think NY Auto Show my man brain immediately makes vroom vroom sounds and I think about Cadillac's new CT6 model coming out next year (awesome). I didn't know Dan Ammann was to make the keynote address there, nor would I normally care. It's not something I'd be interested in.

For the record, I'm a GM retiree, and I like Mary Barra. I haven't heard her talk about ending pensions and I felt great respect and sympathy all at once when she was trotted out so soon after her appointment as the face in front of the massive ignition switch recall. I honestly didn't know who Ammann is. So I began to think deeper on this matter, as may have been the poster's intent.

Why is Ammann suddenly the reassuring manly face of GM's future at the auto show while Barra is who we think of when a Chevy Cobalt catches fire? Is this an attempt to shine light on underlying sexism within the corporate boardroom using an offensive image ala PETA's clubbed seals, or is the message here that Ms Barra should know her place in big business? Personally, I want to believe the former, but I don't know. Certainly it employed shock art to enlighten me to an injustice that I wouldn't have otherwise known.

[Butterbean]

1. Yuck. n/t

[arcane1]

2. I can't imagine any other response than offense.

Between the slogan, the kneeling posture, and the crotch focus, there are several offensive things about this.

Since cars were sold for decades as symbols of male sexuality, perhaps this is an apt tempt to de-womanize the company and stroke the fragile self-esteem of the men in attendance?

[PowerToThePeople]

3. I would hope heads roll.

If not, maybe CEO agreed to this advertising.? Very strange if she did, reminds me of "clubhouse" op from earlier today.

[JohnnyRingo]

21. Take a minute to read the OP....

...unless you're way too busy to read but still have time to hammer out a reply.

It's obviously not "advertising".

[PowerToThePeople]

22. uh, I did read it.

It is either advertising by GM, or unauthorized trademark usage by a group GM should sue.

[JohnnyRingo]

26. You don't believe that GM printed these.

I'm pretty sure you don't, but on the outside chance that you really do believe GM would post images of a woman kneeling to a man in order to sell cars, please don't take action. This is meant to send a message. What that message is can be the subject of discussion, but it's legality in trademark infringement is completely beside the point.

With some thought as I typed this perhaps a lawsuit would be in order. I'm astounded that so many here looked at it and believed GM would consider this an apt way to promote the brand. I assume these are the same people who are sarcasm illiterate. Now I wish I hadn't posted it.

[JHB]

30. It's pasted to a utility box on a utility pole.

Not exactly GM's preferred advertising space. Especially at a show.

[PowerToThePeople]

35. the angle of the photo

makes it appear more prominent than that. I see what you are saying now, after another look.

[Takket]

4. We'll if you want my two cents...

That is pretty damn sexist! And we should take it as such

[justhanginon]

5. That is absolutely disgusting both in the

wording and the imagery. I can't believe GM would put out such an offensive poster. As has been said, YUCK!!!

[VScott]

6. I thought it looked like a parody of 50's-60's advertising

[img][/img]

[Octafish]

37. Thank you. That looks like the exact ad, used as a template.

It looks like someone grabbed an idea and GM's logo to make an important point about corporate reality: white men dominate the top spots and they get paid more than women who do the same job.

[VScott]

38. Notice the word play too

"Ammans World" / "It's A Mans World".

[Octafish]

42. First rate work, superior to GM's advertisements.

That's how I could tell it wasn't GM's ad.

[2naSalit]

43. I see it as a continued and

measured indication that this woman was placed as a CEO (or whatever the title) because the recall problem was coming up and the male dominants thought that it would enhance their argument that women aren't suitable as execs. See, if she is the one pictured in the minds of the GP as the one to blame for the recall problems, it also "proves" that such a large corp should be steered by the able hands of a white man instead. Even though it was a white man who was in charge hen the offensive decisions that precipitated the recall problem in the first place. The program to reduce the memory of the public is working.

To have a woman in a subservient posture only emphasizes that point.

F--- them.

[Avalux]

7. That's disgusting. GM needs a barrage of emails and phone calls. n/t

[JohnnyRingo]

23. You do that.

After you spend an hour getting through to someone at GM's North American headquarters and dashing off a lengthy and indignant email, spend sixty seconds reading the OP.

May be better to do that in reverse order.

[Avalux]

24. Sarcasm, it's what's for breakfast. n/t

[JohnnyRingo]

27. Sorry

Because of all the unexpected indignant replies I received on this issue I thought yours was serious as well.

I really wish I hadn't posted this at all now.

[Avalux]

36. No worries! It's good you posted it.

Sometimes people react without looking deeper than what's on the surface. I should have used the sarcasm gif!

[elehhhhna]

8. it's a hoax.

Gm didn't put those up.

[roody]

9. boycott and girlcott

[sharp_stick]

10. There's No Way

that's a legitimate GM Poster.

[BlueJazz]

11. I don't think the people at GM would do that. Too weird

[hifiguy]

12. This smells like a hoax.

Totally.

[ismnotwasm]

13. Gross

You sure this isn't some sort of protest? Even the 50's "housewife" type didn't serve on her knees in ads

I stand corrected upthread-- well mostly

[DefenseLawyer]

14. They are being trolled.

Some guy is taking credit for it on his twitter feed. I think his point is to assume sexism in that he is the keynote speaker at a press breakfast at an auto show. I suppose it might just be that she has more important things to do than speak at a press breakfast at an auto show. At any rate it's not a GM poster.

http://jalopnik.com/some-troll-stuck-a-bunch-of-sexist-mary-barra-posters-a-1694995272

[MuseRider]

15. Disgusting.

No matter what the reason. Nobody should ever have to look at this crap. Infuriating.

[jberryhill]

16. You think that's an actual GM poster?

Can I interest you in some valuable real estate?

[hifiguy]

17. I know a bridge in Brooklyn you can get for a song.

[JohnnyRingo]

20. Did you read what I said in the OP at all?

I really can't believe that so many here think this is a GM sponsored ad, or worse, that I'd think so. It's pretty obvious that it's shock art meant to deliver a message.

Whether it's meant to degrade women in general or point out a cultural injustice is left to interpretation. I'm just as surprised that some see it as misogyny porn that should offend without further thought as to the intent.

In my case it brought to light the fact that GM is using Ammann to highlight the good times while relegating Barra to explaining the company's failures. That's an offense I wouldn't have otherwise known.

[jberryhill]

25. replied in the wrong spot

[JohnnyRingo]

28. I see what happened.

Thanx for clearing that up. I too am surprised at how many think GM is actually using this image to sell cars. I thought it would stir debate, but I didn't expect that. I guess that's why trademark infringement suits are a valid legal move.

[underthematrix]

29. i had to break my decision to never post here again when I saw

this. When you see something like this think KKKock brothers PSYOPS. THey are working on 2016. They want to destroy GM because it was a Democrat President who made the decision to save our auto industry. We all love to retweet things that make us laugh, smile, angry, shocked, disgusted, etc. But be careful what you TWEET and RETWEET because sometimes it can have unintended consequences. Remember to READ for comprehension and discernment before you click.

[Oktober]

19. As her husband I would be pissed....

[cwydro]

41. Huh?

Maybe SHE is pissed.

[KansDem]

31. Is this an attempt at retro?

The image can be found on this website of "vintage ads"--

http://texasfarmersdaughter.com/amazing-vintage-ads/
Right before Reagan's "Chesterfield" ad.

Here's another "vintage ad" website featuring the image--
http://www.buzzfeed.com/melaniepoloff/16-stunningly-sexist-vintage-ads-dhod#.wbJaB7qJzB

[JohnnyRingo]

44. I think it's an attempt to highlight corporate sexism.

While GM president Dan Ammann gives the sunny day keynote speech this week at the NY Auto Show, the lesser paid new CEO Mary Barra is forced to take responsibility for the massive ignition switch recall.. which to her credit she did.

I assume you know it isn't a real GM ad.

[Liberal_in_LA]

32. very sexist

[JohnnyRingo]

45. Are you sure it doesn't highlight the sexism in GM's boardroom?

That's how I see it, but many only react to the image alone instead of the underlying intent.

Shouldn't Ms Barra be giving that sunny day keynote speech at the auto show instead of the man one rung below her? I'll bet we see her again in the future explaining the latest recall.

You may want to read my text in the OP to understand why I believe this particular image was chosen, and if you still believe it's just one man's way to universally slap down women, that's your opinion.

[seabeyond]

33. it is like a play off the "mad man" giggle so many are getting off the series,

that for me, is no giggle at all.

[uppityperson]

34. I found another forum complaining about them also, some troll stuck these up.

http://jalopnik.com/some-troll-stuck-a-bunch-of-sexist-mary-barra-posters-a-1694995272

[Cosmic Kitten]

39. Culture jamming

Culture jamming:
(sometimes guerrilla communication)
is a tactic used by many
anti-consumerist social
movements to disrupt or
subvert media culture and
its mainstream cultural
institutions, including (
but not limited to)
corporate advertising.

[onenote]

40. I took it as a rip on GM and the Auto Show

My gut tells me that GM had nothing to do with these posters. Rather, the message I saw was essentially: why the hell in this day and age is the keynote speaker GM's (male) president and not its (female) CEO.

In other words, I saw it as an attempt to shine a light on sexism in the auto industry (and in corporate America in general).