ASA Says ‘Naked’ Shampoo Ads Are Harmless Fun

Despite receiving 131 complaints from across the country, the Nicky Clarke shampoo ads will not be banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The Authority describes the ads, which feature naked men and women using the Nicky Clarke hair products, as ‘adults having harmless fun.’

The adverts have appeared across the national press as well as in a number of magazines. Although 131 complaints may sound like a pretty small response, it is almost an outrage by ASA standards. The complainants said that the images used were ‘gratuitous, explicit and offensive’. One ad showed a naked women straddling a man’s shoulders and rubbing shampoo into his head.

The Daily Mail decided that the ad was acceptable at first, but later, after receiving some complaints, decided to drop it. The Independent argue that its readers are broad-minded and are therefore unlikely to be offended by such images. The Times described the ads as ‘youthful’ and ‘exuberant’.

The Authority decided that the adverts would not cause serious or widespread offence and were therefore not banned from publication in these media.

Advertising Standards Authority: 80171 580 5555