Airbnb dodges Paris rent laws, shaving startup to break taboo of female body hair: International round-up

Shaving startup aims to break taboo around female body hair

A shaving startup for women is attempting to normalise body hair by showing woman shaving real hair from their bodies – including arm pits, legs, lower belly and toes – in its new ad.

The ad, titled ‘Project Body Hair’, marks the first time a female shaving brand has shown women shaving real hair – a stark contrast to most shaving adverts which traditionally depict women shaving their already bare skin.

US-based Billie, which launched in 2017, uses a number of females, of various shapes, sizes and backgrounds, in its advert which features the slogan: “Hair. Everyone has it. Even women”.

Billie’s co-founder Georgina Gooley says the brand went through hundreds of years’ worth of women’s razor blades ads before coming up with the idea to show real hair.

“You’re in the business of hair removal and you’re not even allowed to show hair because body hair on women is such a taboo. You can’t even show a product demonstration of how your razor works,” she says. “That just seemed crazy, the fact that we had to pretend we live in this world where women don’t have hair at all.”

READ MORE: It’s so stupid that we don’t see female body hair in shaving ads

Google opposes major overhaul of European copyright law

Google is being criticised for its stance against an overhaul of the European copyright laws, with the search giant accused of asking publishers to lobby against the changes on its behalf.

Reports suggest Google is encouraging news publishers to participate in its Digital News Initiative (DNI) lobby, going against the proposed  changes that would hinder the free flow of information and change the way the internet works.

As part of the proposed changes the likes of Twitter would need to gain a licence to show snippets of news content.

It is understood any potential changes to the law would need to be approved by MEPs next week with some lawmakers already suggesting they’re against the reform.

READ MORE: Google criticised for push against EU copyright reform

Airbnb dodges Paris’s strict laws through partnership with Century 21

Airbnb has partnered with estate agent Century 21 in a bid to dodge strict French renting laws and let Parisians sublet their homes.

As part of the deal, Century 21 will get Parisian renters to sign a lease stating they will sublet their apartment on Airbnb on the basis the landlord will receive 23% of the profit and Century 21 would earn 7%, meaning the tenant takes home 70% of the revenue.

Last year, Parisian authorities threatened to sue Airbnb for allowing users to list their apartments on the site without permission from their landlords or registering the apartment with the city.

Paris then filed a lawsuit against Airbnb in April.

A joint press release on Airbnb’s website reads: “The goal is to make it easier to sublet so hosts can welcome guests up to 120 days per year on Airbnb. A win-win deal as tenants, landlords and the agency all share the income when a booking is made on Airbnb. With the Airbnb-friendly lease, subletting will be much better supervised.”

READ MORE: Airbnb partners with Century 21 to let Parisians sublet their apartments

Facebook attempts to win back trust of Australian users

Facebook is launching an eight-week campaign in attempt to win back the trust of its Australian users.

Launching across the nation yesterday (27 June), Facebook’s ‘Here Together’ campaign was created in-houses and focuses on safety, privacy and the brand’s integrity.

The video spots features a mix of Australian user-generated content and live action shots that target the Australian community, as well as a voiceover that addresses any issues users may have with the platform.

The campaign follows the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal, the rise of fake news and calls for transparency. It will be rolled out across out-of-home, digital, TV and cinema and will also feature six-second animations.

Facebook’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Will Easton, says it’s Facebook’s responsibility to make sure it is a place where everyone can stay closer to the people they care about, and to make sure it’s a positive force in the world.

READ MORE: Facebook kicks off major national ad campaign to win back trust

Pantene Malaysia enlists hijab-wearing brand ambassador

Pantene Malaysia has enlisted its first hijab-wearing ambassador for its new campaign, titled ‘WanitaBesi’, a Bahasa Malaysia term that means ‘Iron Lady’ – traditionally used to insult “unfeminine” women.

Singer-songwriter Yuna stars in the new advert, created by agency Grey, marking the first time the shampoo brand, owned by Procter and Gamble, has used a celebrity ambassador wearing a hijab.

Health and fitness influencer Linora Low and former Malaysian national diver Adeline Chin also appear alongside Yuna.

The two-and-a-half minute ad first appeared in cinemas across Malaysia and was shot by production house Think Tank. The film shows the three women overcoming difficulty and stereotypes while a nursery rhyme titled ‘Bangun Oagi’ is sung by the Malaysian girl choir.

Yuna says she’s been lucky enough to have a lot of strong women in her life but that “it’s time to flip the script”.

“It is a fact that every year thousands of girls cast aside their passions under the weight of peer pressure. Phrases such as ‘Wanita Besi’ are used negatively in the schools, sports fields and across social media, forcing us to doubt ourselves and give up on our dreams,” she adds.

READ MORE: Pantene uses hijab-wearing brand ambassador for first time in Malaysia, in Grey ad