News

Glasgow protects citizens from obscenity

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

This artist’s impression of an ad appeared in an Evening Times article on the 27th May this year.

But this ad will not run as it has been banned by Glasgow City Council as it has been deemed just a bit too racy for the general public. If you can’t see why, let’s take another look at it, but this time in close-up.

I think when you look at the ad a little but closer, then you do finally realise what the problem is – it does in fact contain the word ‘bum’. What Reebok were thinking when they considered posting this ad is beyond me. Maybe they were trying to court controversy, just using shock tactics to sell trainers, or maybe Reebok’s advertising agency is nothing but a cesspool of depraved filth and obscenity.

How proud I am to live in a city where we, the citizens and the children of our communities can be protected from the menace of these vile people. I’m glad I’ll never have to see that word anywhere.

Although, having said that, when I got home I did in fact see this when I was sitting down to watch some teatime TV:

Oh well….

Actually not funny at all

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

According to Amnesty International UK, this ad was due to appear in the Financial Times today and was funded by 2000 supporters. The ad encourages people to question Shell’s activities in the Niger Delta at Shell’s AGM. But the ad was pulled by the FT at the last minute. Amnesty have in turn requested this ad be shared by as many people as possible so that they can see it and hopefully act on it as well.

Speaking of Marmite…

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

While we’re on the subject of Marmite ads (the most recent one was yesterday), it seems the rather controversial far right BNP party have been using an image of a floating tub of Marmite in a video as part of their election campaign. Marmite owner Unilever have attacked the BNP for this copyright infringement, but the BNP have hit back by saying that Marmite’s ‘Hate party’ campaign was poking fun at them.

While the BNP themselves have removed the jar from the video, the situation has since worsened, with BNP supporters threatening to carry tubs of Marmite around with them to show their indignation at the gaul of Unilever. Here’s the full ITN story here:

2010 Chip Shop Awards finalists announced

Monday, April 26th, 2010

The 2010 Chip Shop awards finalists have been announced.

For those unfamiliar with the alternative advertising awards, the Chip Shop Awards is a competition geared towards rewarding creativity within the whole advertising industry, rather than just the most ubiquitous, high budget campaigns.

Categories for entrants include ‘best use of shocking copy’, ‘invent your own category’, ‘best use of plagiarism’ and ‘best work for a client you have but haven’t a hope of running.’

This year, the awards have grown and the lists of countries taking part has increased by 50% including entries from as far afield as Kuwait, Cambodia, South Africa, Hungary and Thailand, to name but a few.

The awards ceremony will take place on the 9th June in London and is a steal at £66+VAT. You’ll even get beer or wine, a big bag of chips and a performance by an as yet unconfirmed comedian.

To find out more, contact Kimberley Baran on +44 (0) 141 559 6078, or email her at Kimberley.baran at carnyx.com.

You can see the full list of finalists by going to the Chip Shop Awards website, or by following them on Twitter here.