Freedom of speech has its limits -- even in Vermont. That's the conclusion I reached after reading about the controversy of a Burlington, VT-based snowboard manufacturer -- Burton Snowboards -- that puts an image of a naked woman on the surface of its snowboards. These boards are inflaming local passions -- more than 100 protesters marched in front of its headquarters in October to protest the boards and urge consumers to boycott its products.
Burton opened its operation in Burlington in 1992 and it has a reputation as a good citizen. It matches child-care payments and pays for half of a worker's gym membership. But according to the Boston Globe those good citizen points are outweighed by the anger ginned up by the surface of its snowboards. One office manager in Burlington said, "When you really think about it, it's a young man standing on top of a naked woman's body. I probably could have gotten past it, because I try to have an open mind, but seeing it like that, it's offensive."
Burton may move its operations out of Burlington rather than cave in to the protesters. Do you think Burton's should change its product or does it have a right to put those images on its snowboards? Would you buy one of its products?
Peter Cohan is President of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College. Portfolio published his eighth book, You Can't Order Change: Lessons From Jim McNerney's Turnaround at Boeing on December 26, 2008.
To see all 10 of Sarah Gilbert's top 10 best and worst naked advertising campaigns, click here.
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Reader Comments (Page 8 of 8)
1-07-2009 @ 10:25PM
dave said...
as for the roman catholics nude rome pics
its the holier than thou protestents that do all the complaining baptists lutherns methodists etc etc etc into infornitim
1-07-2009 @ 10:43PM
Kalysia said...
Having lived in Vermont for my entire life, I am beyond used to the idiotic complaints of narrow-minded individuals. The day that this was first announced, I laughed, went out, and ordered my brother the most suggestive board I could find. Made my day.
If you dislike the boards, fine. Simply select a different print. Worried about your child seeing it? Keep them off of the mountains. While you are at it, though, you might as well ban them from ever walking into the University Mall, again. That Victoria Secret might corrupt them. *rolls eyes*
1-07-2009 @ 10:43PM
pam said...
why does everything have to be made cheap?? naked women on these boards is sicking the thing is the people get out and children can see them and I for one do not care to see them .. people are just getting trashy and this is in bad taste..people say don't watchbut hell it is everywhere...to anyone who thinks it isok doyou want your kids tosee this trash??
1-07-2009 @ 10:45PM
jttyjtjt said...
this isnt offensive, its called LAND OF THE FREE for a reason. these people need to get that thru theyre heads
1-07-2009 @ 11:10PM
ski dog said...
i ski, i think the majority of snowboarders have no manners on the slopes. as to the artwork on the boards, you vermonters need to get real. you have no economy and little hopes and you want to run off a employer over this trumped up issued.. jesus wept... rethink this..
1-07-2009 @ 11:09PM
Barnsinger said...
It exploits women as braindead sex objects.
1-07-2009 @ 11:37PM
RedNav said...
When the hell are people going to realize that there is NOTHING WRONG with naked people?! "Ohhhh... there's a picture of someone without clothes on, quick cover it up or destroy it because it must be wrong and evil!"
This is just another piece of evidence that proves that a vast majority of the people in this country are retarded wastes of flesh.
1-08-2009 @ 12:52AM
Becca said...
Seriously, people, America is okay with horror movies like Saw, Wrong Turn, The Hills have eyes, etc., and yet we then turn around and complain about that natural and beautiful. The human body. Besides, these are tasteful photographs. They are not graphic, they are not pornography. They are just art photos. You need to take a look around at the world and get your priorities straight. There are much more pressing issues facing today's society than a couple of tasteful nudes on snowboards.
1-08-2009 @ 1:22AM
Charlie Brown said...
Good grief! Get over it, will ya? TV commercials show more skin that that board; magazines racks are rife with covers that show as much, and look at any swimming pool or beach and you get more of the same.
Y'all are probably the same people who live in trees to protect them and go home to a house built from wood; are members of peta, but wear leather shoes. Bunch of hypocrites!
You want to fight for good causes? Fight for a cure for cancer; teach your kid to turn off the tv or computer and read a book; feed the hungry (better yet, push those who are capable, to get a job!); or volunteer for a non profit organization.
You, me, and everyone else has a right to voice an opinion. Voice your opinion and move on - don't push your self righteous, wannabe over zealous opinion on the rest of us. It gets old real fast.
1-08-2009 @ 2:48AM
Maloney said...
I think the protestors need to get a life. Or at least find something better to do with their time. I mean give me a break. With all thats going on in the world, the economy, jobs loss thats what they protest? Sounds like the democratic congress and the senate house if you ask me. Are they taking a clue from washington??? I think so.
1-08-2009 @ 4:49AM
uncleknubs said...
I will be glad when America gets it's stuffy attitude out of it's ass. All other progressive countries celebtrate the body especially the female body. It is natural and should be appreciated while it's young and firm. Give me naked ladies or give me death!
1-08-2009 @ 5:50AM
Richard said...
What? I can't get one with a beautiful black woman on it?
1-08-2009 @ 5:04AM
wes said...
burton is one of the biggest snowboard companies in the world, they have always had half naked women on there boards, tshirts etc.....burton is one of the best boards you can get, the picture on the board is justsomething to look at, whos going to see it when your flying down the mountain?
1-08-2009 @ 5:52AM
Richard said...
Mmmmm
1-08-2009 @ 7:55AM
H8edson said...
Excuse me here folks,,---Just saw the picture of the woman on the snowboard.
This message is to her now.
Mom,--
are you coming home anytime soon??
1-08-2009 @ 10:23AM
Large35 said...
This has been done before... Naked women on snowboards isn't a new thing... Get over it. Sims put naked porn stars on their decks back in 03'
1-08-2009 @ 4:55PM
chattenx said...
The idiotic prudes ought to go and take a cold shower rather than protest what is painted on a stupid snowboard. These people make the Talibans and other extremists pale in comparison to the idiocy they project.
1-12-2009 @ 9:58PM
mhlv said...
people just cant seem to find better things to *^&% and complain about, if you don't like it, don't buy or look at it! Do they feel that every 90 year old military man that has a naked women on their arm should not be alowed in public also... again, please find something better to do with your time then complain about a snowboard !!! that you cant see anyhow!