A wise man once said, "Sex sells." I think it was Abe Lincoln. Either way, sex has been used by plenty of companies over the years, some more overtly than others. Fashion labels tend to be the most forthright in this regard, just flat out putting naked people in their ads.
Fashion Police NG (link below) compiled some of their favorite examples of this, and though they blocked out all the best bits with little pink kitties, I think it's safe to say the message remains intact.