If there's anyone that knows how to hold her own in a room full of men, it's a woman that has worked on male dominated Wall Street. So, is it only natural that after the Street has morphed into something very different than it was just one month ago, Playboy is trying to recruit current and former female employees to show off their valuable assets?
The magazine is trying to recruit 20 women to recreate the "Women of Wall Street" feature it published 20 years ago, and is especially hoping to get some women with more "senior job experience." Perhaps the mag is trying to appeal to subscribers who find brains and power to be sexy? Gary Cole, Playboy's photo editor added, "It would be more interesting to have someone who's a financial analyst."
Cole also ventured to explain why the magazine is fond of its idea: "When the news gets bad, then maybe that's a chance to make people smile by coming up with something that puts a different twist on it." I suppose a "Women of Wall Street" feature would make readers momentarily at peace with the rocky financial world, although most just subscribe for the articles anyway . . . or not.
What do you think of it all — is Playboy trying to take advantage of people in vulnerable positions? Do you think posing would hurt or harm a woman's career?
Marshall Ward
Brand Alley
British Knights
I kinda dig the idea. If nothing else, I'm sure it will be a memorable experience for the women who sign on to do it.
1I think it's kind of a cool thought, to kind of get to see these women as women and find out in a more "casual" setting what their views are (would at least be more interesting than this month's pretentious article in bazaar about hedge-fund portfolio manager Julie Macklowe).
But I doubt that any of the women who actually have those high powered positions would dream of it, even if it was a fully clothed shoot. In that industry, women don't get by the top by using their feminine wiles, they work damn hard for it, and I don't think it's something they'd be willing to jeopardize.
2I think it is a good idea. Given the current national situation. Its kind of a tongue-in-cheek idea that makes Playboy so popular. Playboy always comes through with this type of creation when the public needs it most.
3As a woman who works in a mainly male dominated field, anything you do that makes a man not see you as an equal will destroy all credibility. Taking your clothes off for a magazine would do that. Whether it is right or wrong, those women would not find a job at a conservative company ever again.
4From Playboy's position, it is an excellent opportunity to capture and bring to main street that wall street isn't only powered by dudes.
What main street doesn't seem to understand is that wall street players live more human lives than some of the other over-worked 30-somethings in other industries. These guys and girls have families, married, children, and stay tight with their family, something many people aspire to have. Vacations to spend time with the kids. A friend of mine recently got a job where she was instantly granted 4 weeks of paid vacation every year, and 5 weeks a year after the first year of work.
Now from women on wall street. I have nothing against Playboy, I list to Playboy radio on my XM when I have nothing better to do. I just hope they are well compensated. Someone involved in wall street probably was getting paid a mint on top of base pay. When times are good, a secretary at a hedge fund might be earning $200k. Jimmy Cramer said he was paying his secretary $500k, and then she quit on him after a couple years because she said she was paid so well that she didn't have to work anymore.
5well i'm all for it in theory but i have to say that i think that it could harm someone's career. think about all the political things that we've heard about - wit the female mayor who had to step down cause she had a bikini shot on a website.
6Isn't this like the problem of people posting inappropriate pictures on their myspace and facebook pages? When you're trying to get a job, what are the next employers going to see?
7I think it could potentially hurt their career in the sense that they wouldn't be taken as seriously. However, it's still their choice.
8This would do nothing positive for their career, hell, i wouldn't take them seriously if they wanted to work for a company i was running. They lose credibility!!! On top of that, I doubt Hef will be spending a million on each potential girl, let alone $100k.
9I agree with everyone who said that the women who do it may create a very problematic career move. I wouldn't be able to take someone possibly handling my money seriously if I saw they posed in Playboy. I do also, however, see Playboy's standpoint.
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