Magazines, television, movies, newspapers, catalogues, email, billboards, posters, websites, even cell phones! Advertising is everywhere; Americans are exposed to an estimated 3,000 ads every day. Standing up against such a large force can seem daunting. However, many studies have demonstrated the negative impact of exposure to media images on body image. Reducing the number of harmful images is a worthwhile and important cause. Even the simple act of expressing yourself to advertisers and businesses can be empowering and can contribute to increased body acceptance and appreciation.

Why get involved with advocacy?
You can influence media images by letting advertisers and companies know what you think.
If they know that a particular ad or campaign is turning people away from buying their product, they may react by changing it.

How do I get involved?
There is a multitude of ways to get involved. Here are just a few ideas:
1. Flex your strength as a consumer. Don't shop at a store whose advertising images
you find offensive.
2. If you like a particular ad campaign, write to the magazine, newspaper, or website to thank them for running it. Tell them specifically why you liked it and how it made you feel! (See below for an example.)
3. Is there a television program you don't like?
Jot down the reasons you find it offensive. Start a letter- or email-writing campaign with your friends and family.

Where to get started?
There are a lot of great resources online. One of the best is www.about-face.org, which provides the addresses and names of advertisers and companies. There are also great examples of advocacy projects others have done.

A Sample Letter
In fall 2004, Dove started an ad campaign featuring women that are not stereotypically beautiful, including a 92-year-old, a woman with long gray hair, and a woman with small breasts. Here's a sample letter that can be submitted on their website at www.campaignforrealbeauty.com:

To Whom it May Concern:
Thank you for your new advertising campaign. Your efforts to include all women regardless of age, size, ethnicity, breast size, freckles, or wrinkles are commendable. By taking this step, you are putting us on track to a place where we will not have to question what makes women beautiful, and where the images in your campaign are the norm rather than the exception.
Thank You.

You can also add a sentence or two about a particular image that you appreciate!