Top
NextTribe NextTribe

by · Activism

What the New Gillette Ad Campaign Means to Women

The P&G brand points a finger at toxic masculinity to foster the “best” in men. What else can it do? Plenty!

“My wife—I think I’ll keep her!” “I’m Maggie—fly me!” “Manly, yes—but I like it too!” For midlife women who grew up hearing these sexist slogans (plus innumerable others about our bad driving and worse coffee), Gillette’s “The best a man can get” slogan registered on our collective consciousness as pretty benign. Still, who could complain about the razor brand’s new “The Best Men Can Be” campaign, which takes aim at toxic masculinity? Um, a lot of men, apparently.

Released last week, the commercial depicts men behaving badly towards women, as well as boys fighting and bullying, followed by denouncements of such activity. In just three days, it netted some 11.5 million YouTube views and 4.1 million views on Facebook—with much of the commentary by incensed men raking Gillette over the coals for the clip (at press time, it had 1 million thumbs down to 58,000 likes on YouTube). The backlash has called for a boycott of parent company Proctor & Gamble’s products and even an apology.

Whoops! Want to read more?

Become a member to get these perks:

              • Read all our bold, bodacious articles by top writers.
              • Get discounts on trips and events, including Paris, Italy, Scotland, New York City.
              • Join our members-only "Tribe" community to connect with like-minded women.

Join now—as low as $39 a year!

Recent Articles

Love our content?

We are the Voice of Smart, Bold Women 45 and over! Our mantra is Age Boldly! No where else will you find authentic, original content like this. So give a little or give a lot. We want to continue publishing stories about love later in life, adult children never leaving home, wearing a bikini after 50 and trips of a lifetime! Thank you in advance for supporting NextTribe.

SUPPORT US