In 2003, De Beers launched its “Right-Hand-Ring” campaign targeting women with enough money to indulge themselves in fine jewelry without waiting for a man to do it. SAPAC wants to know how you feel about these advertisements. On the one hand, they insist that women be authoritative in getting what they want, recognize the independent parts of themselves, and celebrate their femininity. On the other hand, there is the implication that in order to celebrate your womanhood in this way, you must already fit a certain standard of woman: “your left hand rocks the cradle”, “your left hand celebrates the day you were married”, “your left hand says ‘we’”, “your left hand says you’re taken”, “your left hand believes in shining armor”. In some of the advertisements, the model’s wedding band is displayed as her left hand is folded demurely in her lap or resting on a table. De Beers is clearly defining “women of the world” to mean romantic, married, heterosexual mothers with enough disposable income to indulge oneself in diamonds. Furthermore, De Beers’ Ameri-centric slogan “women of the world, raise your right hand” directly contradicts itself: many Jews, Muslims, and Orthodox Christians wear wedding bands on the right hand, as do citizens of India, Spain, Venezuela, Germany, Russia, and most of Eastern Europe. After digesting all of this, remember that Da Beers means this ad campaign to be one that empowers women. What do you think?
**********There Is a Third Example of the De Beers Right-Hand-Ring Campaign at the following address:
http://adme.ru/img/news/1212/DeBeers-Diamonds_Forever-Rise.jpg
This version reads:
“Your left hand says ‘we.’ Your right hand says ‘me.’ Your left hand loves candlelight. Your right hand loves the spotlight. Your left hand rocks the cradle. Your right hand rules the world. Women of the world, raise your right hand.”
Contact Information:
Diamond Trading Company
17 Charterhouse Street
London, EC1N6RA, England
Tel. 44-0-20-7404-4444
www.debeersgroup.com
