Tracey Vickers says it's ridiculous to display bikini-clad women in a family restaurant. Photo / Northern Advocate
Tracey Vickers is intelligent and well spoken and owns a furniture-making business in Kerikeri - and has been arrested for wilful damage at a family fast-food restaurant.
The Towai 23-year-old was at Burger King in Whangarei on June 3 when she took exception to a poster of three
women in bikinis "riding" a hamburger.
She took it down and complained to counter staff about its sexual nature. She then left the restaurant and was later arrested.
"People assume that because I object to the ads that I'm jealous of the way the women look, that I'm ugly or overweight, but I just don't believe that sex should be used to sell a product it has no relation to. Advertising standards say that's not allowed."
Ms Vickers is unhappy that the images are displayed in a family restaurant. "They have kids' parties in Burger King. It's ridiculous. The restaurant isn't R-rated."
Burger King is appealing against an Advertising Standards Authority ruling that its TV ads - featuring women in skimpy bikinis riding horses, presenting giant cheques and carving an ice sculpture - breached advertising standards.
Ms Vickers said Burger King's marketing campaign was inappropriate, as were the similarly sexually suggestive Tui beer ads.
But she has no problem with All Black Daniel Carter advertising Jockey underwear while wearing nothing but briefs. "That's different, he's an underwear model. He's modelling the product."
Ms Vickers will appear in the Whangarei District Court on June 21. At this stage she has no plans to deny her actions.
-NORTHERN ADVOCATE
