# title
Femvertising or faux CSR? A comparative analysis of sport brands

# abstract
<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>This study aims to examine whether sport companies that promote gender equality through femvertising, an advertising trend that empowers women and confronts gender stereotypes, actually support womens rights with institutionalized approaches to challenge gender issues. Some sport brands even have won awards for their femvertising efforts, however, not all of them have modified their policies and programs to support gender equality. Sport femvertising can be a new area for CSR-washing and this study investigated this potential.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title><jats:p>Utilizing a content analysis, this study compared sport brands' (award-winning vs non-award-winning) level of engagement in internal and external CSR activities regarding gender equality. Sport brands CSR attempts and number of women in leadership positions were analyzed through companies CSR reports, annual reports and websites.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title><jats:p>Only few differences between two groups (award-winning vs non-award-winning) of sport brands were observed regarding their gender equality CSR engagement. In some cases, non-award-winning sport brands had a greater percentage of women in leadership and practiced more internal gender equality CSR.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title><jats:p>This paper provides valuable information about the potential of femvertising as an advertisement, as well as CSR strategy. Results of this study broaden our understanding of how sport companies embraced this advertising/CSR technique and the repercussions. Findings provide guidance for sport marketers who seek to improve their brand image through femvertising.</jats:p></jats:sec>

# publicationVenue.label
Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal

# publicationOutlet
Sport Business and Management An International Journal

# authors[].organizations[].label
College of Education and Human Development

# keywords[]
35 Commerce, Management, Tourism And Services

# keywords[]
3507 Strategy, Management And Organisational Behaviour