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IPA On... Body Positivity And Representation: Hannah March and Yelena Gaufman

IPA Podcast

A special IPA On episode for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Hannah March interviews Yelena Gaufman, both from Fold7, on the need for body positivity in advertising and the detrimental effects that a lack of representation in advertising can have on people’s physical and mental well-being.

Their work on the Coppafeel! campaign gives them a particular insight into the dangers of a lack of body representation as it leads to an unhealthy body image and makes people reluctant to check their breasts.

Episode Highlights:

  • Body type representation in advertising and media
  • 1 in 3 men say they struggle with body image
  • 85% of women we see in advertising are white, skinny, with perfect skin
  • When you don’t see yourself reflected in the media and advertising, you don’t see yourself as desirable, this leads to eating disorders, mental health issues and self-destructive behaviours
  • Coppafeel! findings show that if you’re uncomfortable with your body, people can’t bring themselves to check their own bodies because they don’t measure up
  • Toxic body positivity
  • Tokenistic body positivity – acceptably fat, acceptably brown, and curve-washing
  • Body neutrality TikTok trend
  • Brands shouldn’t profit from the human body

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Interested in speaking on the IPA On... podcast, or want to give us some feedback? Get in touch with Beth and Antonia.

Last updated 07 December 2023