Mumbai: In the fifth edition of its #ShareTheLoad campaign, laundry detergent brand Ariel attempts to overcome our conditioned mindsets and to address years of unconscious bias and conditioning by getting men to rethink and introspect their actions at home.
Conceptualised by BBDO India and directed by Shimit Amin, the 'See Equal, Share The Load' film reminds all families that true equality is only reflected when domestic chores are shared, even as it raises the pertinent question – “if men can share the load equally with other men, why are they not doing it with their wives?”
The Covid-induced lockdown triggered a phase where many of us had to undertake all household tasks and chores by ourselves, having to deal with the challenges of life without any house help. A recent independent survey found that 80 per cent of women believe their partners know how to do household tasks but choose not to do them, stated Ariel. Additionally, an alarming 83 per cent of women feel that men don’t see women as equal when it comes to housework.
This reality is reflected in the brand’s film featuring a working married couple. The couple is shown paying a visit to their new neighbours’ house. Watching the two men go about their everyday chores in complete harmony with both contributing equally, amazes the wife. As she points this out to her husband, he casually recollects how in the past he too used to split all chores with his college roommate. The ensuing conversation eventually makes the husband realise his folly, and the video ends with the man vouching to overcome his deep-set biases and ‘share the load.’ Because, “When We See Equal, We Share The Load!”
“We’ve taken a slightly different track in the latest film for Ariel #ShareTheLoad. There is a definite shift in the tonality,” said BBDO India chairman and chief creative officer Josy Paul. “This time, it’s the woman who speaks for herself. It is the woman speaking her mind and sharing her point of view. The film is fully reflective of the reality of today’s times, where the woman refuses to accept inequality in her marriage.”
“Research confirmed this. 88 per cent of women believe it is time to talk to men about doing their share of the household work equally. There is a sense of restlessness, an impatience in the women today at the pace of change. So, this film is also a means to encourage conversations so as to truly move us towards an equal tomorrow,” he further added.
The film beautifully captures how women can take charge of the situation and demand equality, even as it depicts the modern man as being open to change when his prejudice to doing chores is brought to notice. And, the film underlines, this is possible only when they 'See Equal.'
“With Ariel #ShareTheLoad, we strive to trigger meaningful conversations that will help drive positive change. With #See Equal, we want to address years of unconscious bias and conditioning, which may be coming in the way of us all sharing the load," stated P&G India chief marketing officer and P&G India fabric care-VP Sharat Verma.
“A recent World Economic Forum report claims that at the current pace of change, gender parity is still 135 years away! This year’s communication is based on this simple insight - when men can ShareTheLoad equally with other men, then why not with their wives? Because we know when we #SeeEqual, we #ShareTheLoad,” he added.
The film has sparked online conversations with several celebrities like Twinkle Khanna, Sonam Kapoor, Raj Kumar Rao, Patralekha, Sanya Malhotra, Konkana Sen Sharma and Namrata Shirodkar taking to their social media pages to share the ad and its underlying message. TV celebrities like Disha Parmar, Mahi Vijj, Niti Taylor, Gauhar Khan Jankee Mehta, and chefs like Sanjeev Kapoor, Pooja Dhingra, Ranveer Brar and Saransh Goila also shared the film on their social media handles in support of the film, while lauding the brand’s efforts to make a difference in the everyday lives of countless men and women.
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