advertising

Two of the most sexed-up fashion brands are moving away from bare skin and embracing social responsibility. Hallelujah.

The reality of menstruation has never troubled maxi pad and tampon advertisers who always look on the bright side of the cramping, bloating, blood and acute self-hatred that accompanies the shedding of one’s uterine lining each month.

Who sets the beauty standard for women? And is that standard evolving to include more diverse examples of the female form and appearance?

Big budget commercials will have you laughing (and cringing); Telus will unlock your phone for $50; a service that writes your online dating profile for you; babies fed solid food before four months are more likely to be obese; and we’re one step closer to a universal flu vaccine.

Niche dating websites narrow the pool; the Starbucks’ mermaid goes solo; “deals” to avoid in 2011; a blood test for Alzheimer’s; and disturbing reports of rape in Haiti.