In this sense,
I'm not on the fence,
as those that seek to find offense
reveal their prejudice and lack of common sense
towards the slender and the stunning,
with closed minds and intelligence shunning
their ignorance is overcoming -
their brains seem to be slumming.

Fred, I've encountered instructors over the years who suggest strongly that if you're going to have people in your advertising, there needs to be a variety of races/ages/gender/etc. to avoid implications of implied discrimination.

As far as the Sweeney rumbling, a radio talk show host this morning asserted it was probably started by bot/foreign agents who like to keep Americans stirred up and fighting with each other (and for now, it really doesn't take much to start those fights).

Ah, the great debate: do real estate ads (or any other ad) need human models, and if so, who should they be? Well, let’s cut to the chase. Sex sells. Yes, I said it! Whether it’s a sparkling smile or a perfectly styled kitchen, a well-chosen human element can make your ad pop like a cork on champagne. But—and this is a BIG but—it's also about balance, inclusion, and making everyone feel welcome.

When it comes to choosing models, think of it like assembling a playlist—diverse, inclusive, and tuned to your audience. If your website or blog posts feature a random photo of a person, ask yourself: does this reflect my community? Or am I unintentionally playing hide-and-seek with Fair Housing laws? Because, let’s face it, nobody wants to be the poster child for exclusivity, unless you’re trying to sell beachfront properties in Atlantis.

And yes, I get it. Some folks get ruffled over Sydney Sweeney ads, claiming they’re “non-inclusive” because she’s, well, a slim, attractive young lady. But the truth is, if you’re using models, make sure they’re relatable to your target demographic. Or better yet, mix it up! Show a diverse cast that includes people of different ages, backgrounds, and body types. Because, ultimately, real estate isn’t about just one “look. It’s about making everyone feel like they belong, whether they’re in a mansion or a cozy cottage.

So, do you need human models? Not always. But when you do, remember: sex sells, but authenticity and inclusivity sell even more. Your ads should reflect the community you serve—diverse, welcoming, and maybe even a little cheeky. After all, a smiling face can open doors—literally and figuratively!

Just show the locals, help the outside looking in meet the folks who live here around the real estate. 

There is always going to be detractors, takeaways & commotion for you cannot please everyone. Hollywood has faced this for decades when making movies. What I would do Fred? Something tasteful, no extremes or exploiting women or men & put emphasis on making the point or core subject. This is/was an excellent question thank you Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

Yes, if I could I would hire Sydney Sweeney to star in all of my real estate videos.  I suspect I'd have enough viewers after a short time that I could monetize the channel and retire.  :)

The outrage has nothing to do with anything other than it is getting back to traditional, long held, views of health and beauty.  Slender, tattoo free, normal, "Norman Rockwell" type Americana, not the blue hair, covered in tattoos, cow ring in the nose, and unhealthy weight that's been force-fed on us for the last four years.  

Did you know that that is HER Mustang in the ad?  She even has videos for Ford of her working on her 'Stang.  Personally, I'm more impressed by the burnouts with the 'Stang than the jeans.

As to photos, I would use people (real or AI) that represent the majority of the populace or a specific client type I'm targeting.  That's basic marketing.

I don't recall ever using photographs of people in my advertising except in my first year in the business I cut a TV commercial with a very attractive young lady acting as a home buyer Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate . It was quite impressive but I can not say it caused a "stir". I do know it helped get my name out there. I also had professional photos of my partner and I when I started out.

No human models except the agent once in a blue moon.

No. Who's the subject to begin with? 

You do have to have a human to wear the garment. But our product is not clothing.

Heck no I simply slip on my American Eagle Jeans as does my husband and we snap away the photos for whatever......  Nobody has complained yet.  Heck no they cheer us on!!!! Oh wait.......somebody's at my door.  Who could that be?  🤩

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

Like Lew Corcoran stated, Sexy does sell, and it is nothing wrong with using beautiful things for advertising. The issues are that most that protest are jealous of Sydney Sweeney on how great she looks. Since in Real Estate we mostly sell properties and not people, we typically don't use human models.

By the way, I may check out the American Eagle Jeans, I am due for a new pair👖

The first thing that comes to mind is "Like Sydney Sweeney, this home has good bones" but will it draw potential buyers or media criticism? What is instead of Sydney, Matthew McConaughey was used? Avoid controversy, concentrate on the property.

I don't do any advertising, but if I did, I would not worry about trying to please everyone since that is impossible.  I would do an ad that fit my way of thinking, my morals, and my ethics.  Those who wouldn't like it aren't people I would want to work with anyway, haha.

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate - For starters, let's dive into the definition of what a "model" refers to: "A "model" can refer to various concepts, including a person who poses for artists or photographers, a specific design or version of a product, a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, or a person who serves as an example for others. It can also be a verb, meaning to display clothing or other items for promotional purposes.'

I am so glad Sydney Sweeny is the talk of the Media. As far I'm concerned woke is dead. To this day my favorite TV advertisements were the "Marlboro Man," and the Wendy's Commercial for "Where's the Beef." Everyone should go back to that 1970 Video and watch the horses and the Marlboro Man again. It's just such a delicious commercial. It never encouraged me to smoke but that Marlboro man was hot! And the horses! Oh my gosh I loved the horses in that advertisement too!

As for Wendy's 'Where's the Beef' ad (original - 1984), the message came out loud and clear. It was also a delicious commercial. Back then, I loved big fat juicy hamburgers. I did not judge the old women in the commercial, I just drooled over the burger! 

Now, in reference to real estate advertising, well, this industry doesn't want or need any more lawsuits. It needs to be professional. Use AI or real people with caution and care. But my strongest message is keeping humans employed or/or earning their fees - it's the American Way. I find being nit picky about people and the way they look or how they were born a ridiculous argument. 

Don't be Messaging, Create Messengers. Something like 82% of TV commercials are not remembered.

Here's 3 reasons why and what you should be doing with that money instead.

1. Too many tennis balls.

Think of those bullet points that you want to pack into your commercial as tennis balls.

If you throw a ton of them, you're not going to catch any.

You have a much better chance of being remembered if you just throw one.

Make it compelling and interesting and unignorable.

2.  You're talking about yourself.

You're not talking about the outcomes you can create for people.

Remember, people don't buy a bag of grass seed.

They buy a beautiful lawn they can be proud of.

3.  Your ad probably appeared next to someone who understands point one and two, so you just got eclipsed.

But here's the thing for everybody. Great brands today are not built on TV ads.

They're built on experiences that leave people feeling something.

The experience itself is memorable and noteworthy and worth talking about. 

More outrage from the out of touch with reality crazies ... ANYTHING they can ride like a horse because that is all they have ... NOTHING.

Freaking lunatics!!!!!! 

We are a people business.  IF you and I are not a MATCH with respective boundaries, THEN we are going nowhere.  Branding is important and should be consistent with updated photos so your public perception matches with the buyer who you will help to reach their destination navigating needs and wants for acquisitions and dispositions.

Models have been around since TV went colored (versus black/white) to promote products.

I have always felt, you are selling a home, not people.   I have no people and no pets in my ads with few exceptions.

I suspect that this whole controversy is just another distraction created by the fox news folks to distract from the real news.

I do consider fair housing/equal opportunity. I'm looking for nice/respectful buyers and sellers. 

People do not need to be in real estate ads.

We are advised not to show people or pets in our photos and advertising.

I don't worry about it. As far as I'm concerned, the Equal Housing logo is all that is needed. I don't put people in categories other than Buyers or Sellers.

I have never bought any product simply because a celebrity used it.  The product must sell itself.

We are forbidden from having any humans in our MLS pictures.  I prefer ads without humans too, as they are just distracting.