Controversial hoarding: OSMO Fitness clarifies

19 January 2018 08:17 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In response to the incident regarding the controversial hoarding, OSMO Fitness in its official Facebook page said it was the first line in a scheduled awareness campaign, which promoted an ‘Obesity-Free Sri Lanka’.

It said the promotion which will be launch next week was driven by some disturbing figures in a recent World Health Organization report that states an alarming percentage of women in Sri Lanka are more prone to diabetes, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity when compared to males.

“We like to reiterate that we do not have any intention whatsoever to degrade, offend, insult or undermine any person or women in general and that our moral obligation is towards improving the overall health of all Sri Lankans which we take very seriously.

“We would also like to remind everyone that OSMO is a fitness center that caters to many female members, along with several qualified female instructors who strive to help women achieve a healthy, fit and disease-free lifestyle. Women have always been an integral part of OSMO and will continue to do so well into the future.

“We respect the different viewpoints of the general public and regret any offence that was generated in response to the subject advertisement. Hence, we have decided to withdraw all communications relating to the advertisement in question.

“We would also like to voice our appreciation for each and every comment made in this regard, both on social media and various other levels, and are thankful to everyone who voiced their concerns and let us know their thoughts and insights on this sensitive topic,” it said.

Further, OSMO in its statement said it had received an unprecedented amount of response within a very short period that raised some concerns about the intentions of the aforementioned communication following the advertisement in question.

Meanwhile it said in response to the incident, along with its ongoing initiatives to improve women’s health in Sri Lanka, it has decided to offer any lady who walks in to OSMO on or before 26th January, a free Physical Fitness Assessment and a free two-week membership with the personalized attention of its qualified fitness instructors. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 18

Arosha Friday, 19 January 2018 09:24 PM

OSMO your advertising strategy was a success! Everyone knows you. Just probably not the way you want them to.

Ceylon Friday, 19 January 2018 09:27 PM

This add has no insult for any wemen or any one.it the add promote to be not like a barel like this.if any one fit for it,reduce your weight and create healthy figure body.

southpaw Saturday, 20 January 2018 09:10 AM

Like a Multi Barrel Rocket eh ?

Yahiya Saturday, 20 January 2018 08:30 AM

This highly educated politician poor in marketing

MP Saturday, 20 January 2018 09:09 AM

There are several risk factors for causing non-communicable diseases, such as smoking, alcohol use, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, obesity, etc.So this is a good strategy to promote NCD prevention.

Adwani Saturday, 20 January 2018 09:58 AM

We have enough issues in this country than to debate about women

Justica USA Saturday, 20 January 2018 10:10 AM

OSMO. Your stratergy worked ! it even got the attention of a Minister. Through negative publicity you got a positive publicity, I know ur intention was not to demeane the women folks but to accomodate them as clients.Hope ppl can look beyond the horizon.

Be Fair Saturday, 20 January 2018 10:13 AM

OSMO Be courageous, re-launch the ad with the slogan "Should this be your figure"

Hiran Saturday, 20 January 2018 10:50 AM

If you want to raise awareness about female obesity , stop body shaming them by telling them they look like a barrel !!! There are so many other ways OSMO could have gone about the campaign.

Tax Payer Saturday, 20 January 2018 11:03 AM

The truth is that a majority of our adult females take the shape of barrels. Fatsos who can barely walk briskly on the roads.

Goonbag Saturday, 20 January 2018 11:24 AM

Good luck trying to get "Sri Lanka obesity free", considering that almost every meal is with rice.

Mothercare Saturday, 20 January 2018 11:27 AM

It is high time the food products like noodles which containseach packet the salt and the mixture should be checkedby the health department immediately and report the safety of the product,can they do it and report to the even T.V.media,if anything wrong high time to correct the over adding. Will the Health Ministry have the GUTS to check and report.

ZEEREEZ Saturday, 20 January 2018 11:35 AM

Super strategy adopted by Ossmo, this brings advertising to the next level. This is a huge success as they got the attention that is needed more than the damage that this would have caused. well done guys!

Sincere Saturday, 20 January 2018 11:38 AM

Objective may be good but the way how it was presented was not reasonable. It could hurt the feelings of a woman with obesity!

Sangaralingham Saturday, 20 January 2018 11:39 AM

Obesity look at abdomen or belly. If it is protruding you are in trouble for heart disease sleep problem diabetes..exercise reduce or food/ calorie intake till you reach your correct weight you may be look thin but belly fat is still bad whether male or female ?Less starchy foods nosugary drinks less fatty foodsLook at your bum if look fatty lose weight to look fit. No major illnesses suspected., common in females

Chethika Saturday, 20 January 2018 11:40 AM

Ozmo shame on you first insulting and fat shaming women second plagiarizing an ad previously posted by golds gym in Egypt .. the creative agency responsible for the ad should be sued .., too late to reverse your chauvinism

Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 20 January 2018 12:41 PM

It is terrible. In Colombo you can see many fat children. In Nuwara Eliya such children are barely visible. This means that the children in Colombo are fattened by their parents with wrong food.

Harith Saturday, 20 January 2018 12:43 PM

This is what you say cheap marketing. No ethics at all. Obviously when you do cheap marketing you are sure to get attention. After these guys started now Sri Lanka might end up flooded with such cheap marketing ads.

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Controversial hoarding: OSMO Fitness clarifies

Comments - 18

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