Naked Men Take Over Bloomingdale's

I love Bloomingdale's and I love men. So, it just makes sense that the two would naturally come together. But imagine my surprise (and glee!) when Bloomingdale's announced that dozens of scantily clad men wearing nothing but a new fragrance and a terrycloth robe would be roaming the aisles of their store on Lexington and 59th St. in New York today at 12:30 p.m.

Wait a minute...am I getting an early birthday present?!

Sadly, no. But, I suspect someone at Bloomingdale's read my wish list. Their marketing gurus decided that the most effective way to market Michael Germain's new fragrance, Sexual Fresh for Men, was to have dozens of "sexy, masculine men" wandering the streets of Manhattan. God bless 'em! I can't get a ticket to NYC fast enough (it's $433 round-trip in case anyone wants to send me the cash) to check out this ingenious retail marketing display. I would be going in the name of research, of course.

As a woman, this type of male exploitation brings a smile to my face. Typically, fashion retailers, designers and the like use barely clothed women as a way to advertise or promote their products. And, while it's a pretty successful marketing tool, it also gets more than a little tiring to look at. For the record--women don't really want to see other woman naked, so it's not exactly an effective way to market to us gals. This makes the Bloomingdale's promotion utterly refreshing. Even if I can't personally be there to witness this divine promotion, I will be there in spirit.

It's too bad I can't make it, though, because I have a feeling that total mayhem will ensue. Sexual Fresh for Men is a blend of mandarin, "gentleman's lavender" and a smattering of aphrodisiacs. Michael Germain's first men's fragrance entered Bloomingdale's more than 10 years ago and is still the No. 1 brand, so chances are, Sexual Fresh for Men will be just as good, if not better. Apparently, the marketing execs at Bloomingdale's also want to cause complete chaos in their store. Half-naked men wearing aphrodisiacs, and women, like myself, following them around? Wow. Don't say I didn't warn you.

In any event, please, please, please go check out this fan-tab-u-lous display of men (in the name of retail marketing research!) and report back. And, if you could take pictures with your camera phone and send them my way, that would be much appreciated.

So, ladies and gentlemen--what do you think of this campaign? Sexist or smart marketing?
Would love to hear your thoughts.

--Heather Strang