Are we nuts about sex?

A recent USA Today article caught my attention. It seems the age-old phrase “sex sells” has crossed boundaries into a previously untouched realm—the pistachio industry. Apparently the deliciously salty little treat has not made a comeback since a massive recall last April. The answer: display provocative social figures, whether by name or occupation, with pithy phrases about how he or she “cracks the nut” in a new, rather costly, ad campaign. Hm…

I imagine an image of this dominatrix with the tagline “A dominatrix does it on command” may turn some heads:

Though I’m not entirely sure this would make me run to the store and purchase a bag of pistachios, it has certainly stirred up some interest. Maybe “sex shocks” is a more accurate phrase for this particular ad campaign. There is certainly something to be said for a little good old fashioned shock value.