Pantene basically copied Dove's 'Real Beauty' campaign with its new 'Not Sorry' video
Quiet, reflective music. Several women of various ages and ethnicities, each demonstrating behaviors meant to make the Everywoman commiserate with the self-defeating or confidence-lacking moment.
And then!
We are presented with a "What if?" What if women were strong? What if women ignored societal norms and roared? What if they were... NOT SORRY? Cue the soaring, inspirational score, revisit the same women who are now leaning in like Sheryl Sandberg is pushing them and — buy Pantene shampoo.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
If this all sounds familiar, it's because the hair care company's new video, "Not Sorry," is basically ripping off Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign. Frankly, both feel incredibly disingenuous to me ("You're perfect the way you are! Be the woman you know you can be! P.S., you still need to shower, so buy our soaps and shampoos!"), but at least Dove called shotgun on this marketing tactic years ago. Still, I'm guessing Pantene is not sorry.
Watch the new spot, below. --Sarah Eberspacher
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
The Christmas quiz 2024
From the magazine Test your grasp of current affairs and general knowledge with our quiz
By The Week UK Published
-
People of the year 2024
In the Spotlight Remember the people who hit the headlines this year?
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: December 25, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published