AMV BBDO’s advertisement for Alka Seltzer drew 40 complaints in January from viewers concerned that its reference to cannibalism was in bad taste. The ad featured two shipwrecked men in a lifeboat and ended with only one man in the boat and the voice-over: “Alka Seltzer – when you’ve eaten something you shouldn’t have.” The ITC however disagreed with these viewers and thought that most would not find the ad unacceptable.
A complaint was also received from a viewer who did not believe an ad for the Sun should have been shown in a snooker programme because Anthea Turner was featured in both the ad and the snooker coverage. The ITC upheld the complaint because it breached its code on artist separation. In its defence Laser, which scheduled the ad, said that Central had not listed Anthea Turner in the artist information provided. This lead to the ITC recommending that programme providers should pay closer attention to the accuracy of artist listings.
ITC: 0171 255 3000
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