Weight Loss Ads

Chris Browne · August 24th, 2008, 12:42 PM

Please pardon me if I'm out of line here - I'm mostly a lurker, and I certainly take more than I give regarding information and opinions, but when I logged on the other day I was very surprised to see a weight loss ad targeted at women on the main page.

I know that the TDPRI is a labour of love for you, and I'm sure that you're under financial pressures, but isn't it a shame that this tiny corner of the internet is now much like the rest of the internet; reinforcing stereotypes, and possibly helping people feel insecure about their bodies in the name of profit.

Respectfully,
Chris Browne

WickedGTR · August 24th, 2008, 12:54 PM

Nothing's free. Hosting services charge to run a site like this.

I'm guessing that most people that come here every day have never donated to the cause.

Therefore you see an ad you may, or may not, choose to ignore.

TDPRI · August 24th, 2008, 01:56 PM

James is correct.

Our hosting and software licenses now cost more than a cheap compact car per year.

Of the 23,000 members usually about 400 donate money to keep the site going. I don't want to beg for money so, I use ads to cover the costs. Until recently the only ads we've run were for guitar related stuff. But, that wasn't making enough money. So, we've expanded. Hopefully, advertisers will learn to target better -- but as it is I'll get .45 cents for every 1000 times that weight loss ad runs.

This corner of the internet is not any different than any other I'm afraid.

hamish5178 · August 24th, 2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Browne

Please pardon me if I'm out of line here - I'm mostly a lurker, and I certainly take more than I give regarding information and opinions, but when I logged on the other day I was very surprised to see a weight loss ad targeted at women on the main page.

I know that the TDPRI is a labour of love for you, and I'm sure that you're under financial pressures, but isn't it a shame that this tiny corner of the internet is now much like the rest of the internet; reinforcing stereotypes, and possibly helping people feel insecure about their bodies in the name of profit.

Respectfully,
Chris Browne

www.getfirefox.com

---> "Adblock Plus"

I think it's okay, they have to pay the bills somehow. What really bugs me is how if you're female on Facebook you get tons of weight loss ads, but males don't.

MulliganChebichev · August 26th, 2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamish5178

www.getfirefox.comI think it's okay, they have to pay the bills somehow. What really bugs me is how if you're female on Facebook you get tons of weight loss ads, but males don't.

Males get male enhancement ads

getbent · August 26th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamish5178

www.getfirefox.com
What really bugs me is how if you're female on Facebook

are you implying that you are not a female when not on facebook?

August 24th, 2008, 12:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chris Browne Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 136	Weight Loss Ads Please pardon me if I'm out of line here - I'm mostly a lurker, and I certainly take more than I give regarding information and opinions, but when I logged on the other day I was very surprised to see a weight loss ad targeted at women on the main page. I know that the TDPRI is a labour of love for you, and I'm sure that you're under financial pressures, but isn't it a shame that this tiny corner of the internet is now much like the rest of the internet; reinforcing stereotypes, and possibly helping people feel insecure about their bodies in the name of profit. Respectfully, Chris Browne

August 24th, 2008, 12:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
WickedGTR Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hillbilly Hollywood Posts: 2,256 9 Photos	Nothing's free. Hosting services charge to run a site like this. I'm guessing that most people that come here every day have never donated to the cause. Therefore you see an ad you may, or may not, choose to ignore. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/jameswilsey

August 24th, 2008, 01:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 6,431 46 Photos	James is correct. Our hosting and software licenses now cost more than a cheap compact car per year. Of the 23,000 members usually about 400 donate money to keep the site going. I don't want to beg for money so, I use ads to cover the costs. Until recently the only ads we've run were for guitar related stuff. But, that wasn't making enough money. So, we've expanded. Hopefully, advertisers will learn to target better -- but as it is I'll get .45 cents for every 1000 times that weight loss ad runs. This corner of the internet is not any different than any other I'm afraid.