 |
Peloton Interactive's spokesperson says the company's Christmas ad in which a husband shocks his wife with a stationary bike truly "celebrates" the fitness and wellness journey.
Even for a PR person, that's some pretty strong spinning,
Shouldn't the person "gifted" with the $2,245 bike be the one who decides whether or not to embark upon the fitness and wellness journey? It's still a free country, isn't it?
In the Peloton ad, the newly drafted cyclist has a look of terror on her face, as if she fears not being able to measure up to the goals set by her husband.
Beyond the Pelo bubble, hubby comes across as a sexist lout who wants his already super-thin wife to lose even more weight. That's body-shaming.
Sean Hunter, the actor who plays the husband in the 30-second spot, thinks so. “My image is being associated with sexism, with the patriarchy, with abuse, with these words that I am seeing people write about me — that’s not who I am,” he told Good Morning America on Dec. 6.
Does Peloton think that anyone who was even remotely thinking about buying one of its overpriced exercise bikes for an unsuspecting wife, husband, partner, significant other or anybody for that matter, is now going to pull the trigger?
The bike may screw up both the holiday season and the relationship.
The company's spokesperson is "disappointed in how some have misrepresented the commercial" but is encouraged and grateful for the "outpouring of support we’ve received from those who understand what we were trying to communicate."
My hunch is that outpouring flowed from the cultish Pelo-fans that Amanda Mull profiled in the December issue of The Atlantic.
The Peloton ad charts the women's journey. “A year ago, I didn’t realize how much this would change me,” she tells him. “Thank you.”
My 24-year-old daughter told me the cyclist pretty much looks the same physically before and after a year of working out on her Christmas surprise
The actress must have been referring to a change in her mental state after drinking the Peloton Kool-Aid.
Richard Nixon is remembered for his infamous "I am not a crook" statement. Donald Trump will be haunted by his "I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation” line... Nixon's trip to China changed the world. Trump's trip to China may also change the world, for the worse... Pity the president's PR team that denies reality to stay on the good side of their boss.
Nine percent of US adults think it was okay for Donald Trump to post an image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. Oh Lord!... It’s hard to shed a tear for a billionaire, especially one with a thin skin like Citadel chief Ken Griffin... A Republican group plans to support GOP candidates who want to restore foreign aid cuts made by Elon Musk's DOGE.
The death of Ted Turner, CNN's visionary founder, highlights the network's uncertain future under Paramount Skydance ownership... Anti-Defamation League reports a 33% drop in antisemitic incidents in 2025. But hold the cheers because 2025 was the third most violent year for American Jews... AI could use some PR according to Yale Youth Poll... Omnicom Media Intelligence warns that ad frequency can result in brand damage... Wall Street gives Bronx cheer to Coinbase's decision to fire about 700 people.
Struggling WPP and rampaging Omnicom have something in common. It's 6.7 percent... Nonsensical Comey indictment and Melania's war on Jimmy Kimmel are sure signs that Team Trump is falling apart... Black Rock pulls the plug on offshore wind project to please the nation's No. 1 hater of 'ugly' offshore windmills. 
“Having been born in the US” is tied for dead last in the “What does it mean to be American” survey conducted by Ipsos US Public Affairs... Defense Secretary Hegseth's boneheaded move... FTI Consulting chief Steven Gunby is the firm's $10M man... Book bans in the US near record level... Can Kevin Warsh avoid the fate of Kevin McCarthy?
