Disney will not associate with feminine hygiene products

[amigababy]

Where I work is putting on a musical show under licence from Disney, and today I had cause to read through the licence. I was amazed to see that in a large paragraph emphasising Disney's wholesome family image, the producer of a show is not allowed to accept advertising or sponsorship from a company which trades in firearms, alcohol, tobacco (fair enough) and.....feminine hygiene products!
Speechless and would like to hear comments from anyone.

[Empusa]

I guess that because it is a worldwide company there are still many places in the world where feminine hygiene is not seen as acceptable to be spoken about. Even over here it's not been all that long since the rules on those kinds of products has been relaxed - and we still have some rules in place. Eg. if you are going to show something like sanitary towels absorbency, you MUST use blue liquid. You are not allowed to even hint at menstruation.

[AuntieMonica]

is that true, Empusa? it's actually not allowed to show red fluid on TV?

i thought it was because some people were really prudish and a bit squeamish, but it's in the advertising licencing regs?

i shouldn't be so surprised really should i?

[Empusa]

Yep, as far as I'm aware this is still the rule. I'm sure it was introduced as a compromise so that they could finally advertise feminine hygiene products on TV in 1972. And the word "period" wasn't used in a TV advert till 1985.

[MarySueFTW]

Well they don't mention poo in the Andrex ads either.

[MarySueFTW]

Or use the colour brown.

[Empusa]

As far as I'm aware there are no regulations against it though MarySue.

Another thing, which I cannot find the date of so didn't mention it in my last post, is that for a long time they were not allowed to show even pictures of sanitary towels in adverts for sanitary towels on TV.

[MarySueFTW]

I was going to say they probably can't suggest blood in an advert... but they do in ads for cleaning products don't they? Like this product can get out mud, grass-stains, even blood? Or am I imagining that?

[Empusa]

It seems you are allowed to mention or show blood if it is a result of injury, but not menstruation.

[AuntieMonica]

i don't think cleaning product advertisements are held under the same code of practice though, they are most definitely targetted at women

[melpomene]

blood in a persil ad

[melpomene]

advertising code rules for UK TV - I can't find anything there specificially about sanpro

[LilBB]

Disney are quite strict about what/who they are associated with. Like someone else said people are still a bit hmm about periods especially in more conservative cultures. I suppose they have spent so long building up a wholesome image that they will not risk anything. Have you ever read about the rules of working at Disney theme parks? Hard work being a Mickey or Minnie!!

I've never really thought about them using the blue liquid. Although they do this with nappy ads too. It's not yellow like pee. I would imagine it's just to look a bit more pleasant. I think it might turn my stomach a bit seeing pouring 'blood'. I don't have any issues with menstruations but blood in volume gives me the heebie jeebies.

[BornSicky]

is this more to do with the fact that starting menstruation is part of a passage from childhood into womanhood and Disney's target market is children?

then again, more likely they are being prudish!

[flipthefrog]

i absolutely detest disney (in spite of my name)

i am sort of glad i have boys so it's easier to ban disney from this house.

high schools musical type films sexualise girls from such a young age, yet they aren't allowed to mention periods.

no wonder the west is looked upon with bemusement

[falasportugues]

flip, why do you detest disney?

[piprabbit]

Disney women do not have periods. They have no need for feminine hygiene products. They are either pure, clean and virginal or jealous, post-menopausal hags.

[falasportugues]

pip pmsl at image!

[Empusa]

This is interesting, in the rules on scheduling,

"These products may not be advertised in or adjacent to programmes commissioned for,
principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to children below the age of 10:
32.6.1 sanitary protection products"

[Empusa]

melpomene It's possible the rules have changed since I learnt about it.

[Himalaya]

I suppose it's because parents dont want to be bounced into having the 'birds and the bees' conversation (as it were...) in the context of family entertainment?...

[melpomene]

On the other hand, many parents might appreciate the chance for the subject to be normalised so their children (especially daughters) gradually become aware of periods in a more casual way.

I use a mooncup so I don't have pads or tampons lying around which could lead to a discussion; dd1 is 8 now and we've discussed periods a couple of times but there aren't many opportunities for the subject to come up naturally. I would like it if ads were shown in the early evening to build on her awareness that periods and sanitary protection exist, are nothing to be ashamed of and are part of normal life for girls and women.

[LilBB]

Ads for feminine hygiene products are on all day aren't they? Don't you see print ads for them too and they are in the supermarket? On TV I have certainly never noticed them being hidden away. They must be quite prominent and get in to our heads as I'm sure if I said Bodyform ad you would all think 'woah bodyform, bodyform for you' and I think they stopped that jingle before I even started my periods.