Women outraged by 'naked' model in Carl's Jr. Super Bowl ad

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Friday, January 23, 2015
(Carl's Jr.)
creativeContent-Carl's Jr.

After Carl's Jr. released its new Super Bowl commercial, starring a scantily-clad model, the ad has already incited a fiery reaction online.

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The commercial stars model Charlotte McKinney, depicted going "au naturel," as she walks through a market and attracting ogling eyes. Throughout the ad, McKinney's private parts are hidden by various props while the commercial employs visuals that suggest the men want to grope her body. In the end, it is revealed that she is wearing a bikini.

"I think everyone knows what Carl's Jr. is all about," AdWeek editor Lisa Granatstein told ABC News' "Good Morning America." "Those ads aren't going after women, they're going after men. They are not afraid of the controversy. The more controversy the better."

Carl's Jr. has developed a reputation with their salacious ad campaigns, often depicting women in very revealing attire. Previous commercials featuring Kate Upton, Paris Hilton and Heidi Klum have been so ill-received, they prompted critics to create the hashtag #WomenAreMoreThanMeat and #MoreThanMeat.

"They get more clicks on YouTube, they get more social media. It's a win-win for them. I don't think they care one way or the other what women think about these ads," Granatstein said.

Though Granatstein also admits that other companies are now shying away from their once racy ad-campaigns. GoDaddy, for instance, is expected to show a tamer and fully-clothed scene with Danica Patrick, complete with an adorable puppy.

The regional ad will not air nationally on Super Bowl Sunday, but will be seen mostly in Western states and online.

"Do these ads work for selling burgers? Possibly, but what it really does is put Carl's Jr. on the map and make them a nationally known brand," Granatstein said.

A representative from the parent company of Carl's Jr. told ABC News the ads don't show anything you wouldn't see at the beach and that they don't cross the line, but they like to get right up to it.

Carl's Jr. says the All Natural Burger is the first all-natural burger amongst "major" fast food chains made with "grass-fed, free-range beef that has no added hormones, steroids, or antibiotics."

Though, in small print at the bottom of the ad, the commercial admits that these stipulations only refer to the beef paddy.