2000
But I Saw It On The TV!
A campaign for Orkin Pest Control caused panic and damage, when it began airing in March. One ad begins as a fake fabric softener commercial, then a cockroach crawls across the screen. Some viewers saw the roach and thought it was real. In fact, one woman tried to kill the roach by throwing a motorcycle helmet at it, but she only succeeded in killing her TV.
"TV Ad Roach Frightens Viewers," Associated Press, April 6, 2000.
2000
Benetton on Death Row
The most recent ad campaign by Benetton clothing features interviews with convicted killers. The campaign is called "We, on Death Row." Sears, Roebuck and Co. has carried the Benetton line since last Fall, but when this latest campaign broke, Sears objected. The company decided it would stop carrying the clothing line.
"Sears Ends Benetton Sales," Reuters, February 17, 2000.
1999
Whipped Honey
In a recent Budweiser commercial, a man is sitting and reading his mail when his wife appears. She is wearing skin-tight dominatrix apparel while holding both a whip and a beer. Her husband looks at her, becomes excited, and exclaims, "Cool! Budweiser!" The commercial appeared at the International Advertising Festival, but it never made it to television, for fear some women would be offended.
Melanie Wells, "Where¹s the Commercial? Cutting-edge advertisements don¹t always make the cut," USA Today, June 25, 1999, p. B1.
1999
And Now a Word from Our Violent Sponsor ....
Channel One, which broadcasts news and advertising to children in school, has been controversial since it's onset. Now the Southern Baptist Convention has adopted a resolution calling for schools to remove the offending service, because Channel One advertises "sexualized magazines like Seventeen" and "movies with ultra-violent themes such as The Mummy and Quest."
Commercial Alert, June 16, 1999.
1997
Timing is Everything
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was featured in a new ad for Weight Watchers International. The ad had just appeared when Princess Diana was killed in an automobile accident. Many people felt the Princess died because her car was being chased by paparrazi. In the Weight Watchers¹ ad, the Duchess is pictured with a headline admitting that dieting is "harder than outrunning the paparrazi." Weight Watchers pulled the ad immediately.
Suzanne Bidlake and Judann Pollack, "Marketers rethink ads in wake of Diana tragedy," Advertising Age, September 8, 1997, p. 8.
1997
Public broadcasting stations nationwide, along with the Federal Communications Commission, are immersed in debate about whether to permit commercial advertising to appear on public television. The stations need the money advertising would bring, but there is widespread concern that advertising would compromise the quality of programming, when PBS stations begin trying to keep advertisers happy.
Jack Thomas, "Public Stations Debate the Cost of Commercialism," The Boston Globe, June 25, 1997.
1997
Death to All Camels!
Three years after declaring there was insufficient evidence to find that Joe Camel causes children to smoke, the FTC has reversed its ruling. The FTC now charges R.J. Reynolds violated federal laws by using Joe to attract kids as customers.
"Smokin' Joe Camel Near His Last Gasp," Time, June 9, 1997, p. 47.
1997
Fashion Dealers
President Clinton attacked the fashion industry for using models that have the appearance of being drug addicts; a look known as "heroin chic." Clinton alleged this represents a "glorification of herion" that results in damage to our culture and our society.
Robert A. Rankin, "Fashion's fascination with drugs chastised," The Indianapolis Star, May 22, 1997, p. A13.
1997
Ads Coming Out of the Closet
When the lead character on the TV show, "Ellen," openly declared her homosexuality on an episode of the show, some advertisers (Wendy's, Chrysler, J.C. Penney) withdrew their ads from the show. When adult viewers were asked whether they would be more or less likely to buy from sponsors who advertise on that episode, 73 percent said it would not affect their purchase decisions, 5 percent said they would be more likely to buy from those sponsors, and 17 percent said they would be less likely.
"Effects of pulling 'Ellen' ads," USA Today, April 29, 1997, p. D1.
1997
Gay Golfing
Titleist has pulled $1 million worth of its golf ball ads from Sports Illustrated, not because of its effectiveness as an ad medium, but because a story in the magazine reported that about 20,000 lesbian fans regularly attend the LPGA's Dinah Shore tournament.
Michael Hiestand, "Titleist pulls ads from 'SI,'" USA Today, April 29, 1997, p. 10C.
1997
Liquor on the Tube
President Clinton condemned hard-liquor companies for their recent efforts at advertising their products on television. He called for the companies to stop, and for a study to be conducted to determine whether the ads cause kids to drink.
Jodi Enda, "Halt television ads, Clinton urges hard-liquor companies," Austin American-Statesman, April 2, 1997, p. A5.
1997
Ads Cause War
Albania, recently transformed from communist rule to a free-market democracy, learned a hard lesson in capitalism. Ads for hollow pyramid investment schemes ran on television, promising, "With us you are all winners and there are no losers." Unfortunately, thousands of Albanian citizens apparently believed the claims and invested their life savings into the schemes. As a result, civil war broke out in that country.
Louis J. Salome, "A burning shame feeds flaming riots," Austin American-Statesman, March 13, 1997, p. A13.
1997
CD Creates a Horny Problem
A commercial for IBM ran afoul of wildlife experts when it showed a girl using the World Book Encyclopedia CD-ROM to learn how to mend a great horned owl she had found. The problem is that this particular owl has talons and a beak used to kill other animals, so the situation depicted was dangerous. Also, law prohibits possession of these owls. Consequently, IBM's agency, Ogilvy & Mather, has decided to re-edit the ad.
Harry Berkowitz, "IBM to re-edit CD-ROM ad on owls," Austin American-Statesman, January 24, 1997, p. D2.
1997
No Joy in Gambling
A Texas State Senator hit the roof when he saw an ad for the State Lottery, depicting an overweight man jumping for joy on his bed. Senator Ratliff claims the ad encouraged people "to believe you, too, can be a millionaire through the lottery and that we are preying on the people who can't afford to do that." The State's law prohibits ads that unduly influence a person to purchase a lottery ticket, and Senator Ratliff felt the ad went too far.
Ken Herman, "Senator criticizes lottery's TV ad," Austin American-Statesman, January 10, 1997, p. B1.
1996
A Pepsi for a Fighter
John Leonard, in compliance with the terms of Pepsi's advertising
offer, delivered 15 "Pepsi Points" and a check for $700,008.50 to PepsiCo to
claim a new Harrier jet. The jet had been depicted in a Pepsi Stuff
TV commercial, as a part of a points-for-stuff promotion. The commercial
offered a variety of prizes in exchange for points, and as a joke added
that for 7 million points consumers could claim the Harrier fighter jet.
Pepsi refused to deliver the $70 million jet to Leonard, so he sued.
Associated Press, "Man follows rules of Pepsi game, wants fighter jet,"
Austin American-Statesman, August 7, 1996, p. A10.
1996
Is It Any Wonder?
Perrier's "Wonderbubbles" posters in Europe raised the hackles of feminists.
The posters were designed as a spoof on Playtex's Wonderbra ad campaign,
but Perrier's campaign depicted bare-breasted women with bottle caps
hiding their nipples. The ads were pulled by Perrier.
"Found Art," Advertising Age, July 29, 1996, p. 26.
1996
What's Beneath This?
In 1987, TV networks ended a moratorium on using live models in underwear
commercials. Today, it seems that underwear ads are becoming more and more
blatant in their sexual appeals. A recent Victoria's Secret commercial was
rejected by all three major networks as too racy. As a result of
this perceived trend, some media buyers are talking about the possibility
of greater network "zoning" of time periods in which sexy commercials
could appear.
Pat Sloan, "Underwear ads caught in bind over sex appeal," Advertising
Age, July 8, 1996, p. 27.
1996
The Risk of Eating Cookies
An ad campaign designed to debunk public opinions about the risk of
second-hand cigarette smoke has been the subject of law suits and regulation.
The ads, pointing to scientific studies, suggest that passive smoke is less
dangerous than even drinking milk or eating cookies. Cookie manufacturers claim the ads "defame" them,
and French officials say the ads violate laws banning most forms of
tobacco advertising in their country.
Martin De Bois and Tara Parker-Pope, "Tobacco Ads Ignite Uproar
in Europe," Wisconsin State Journal, July 2, 1996, p. 5B.
1996
Don't Let Whiskey Pour Over on TV
Seagram began running whiskey commercials on television, despite a
voluntary ban to which distillers had adhered for 48 years. President Clinton
quickly spoke out against the commercials, calling for the liquor industry
to honor the voluntary ban.
Ron Fournier, "Clinton urges liquor industry to honor voluntary TV
ad ban," Austin American-Statesman, June 15, 1996.
1996
Is Alcohol to Follow?
On the heals of an FDA proposal to severely regulate tobacco advertising,
Representative Joe Kennedy is proposing a law to restrict alcohol
advertising in ways that surpass even the tobacco proposal. For
example, it would ban alcohol sponsorship or support of any athletic, cultural, or social event
at colleges, and would seriously restrict alcohol ads placed in
college newspapers.
Ira Teinowitz, "Rep. Kennedy hits alcohol ads," Advertising Age,
May 13, 1996, p. 1.
1996
Hucksters and the CyberKids
A petition has been submitted to the Federal Trade Commission, asking
that advertising on the Internet be restricted. The petition claims
that advertisers are invading children's privacy and creating improper
relationships between kids and commercial spokescharacters, like Tony
the Tiger. One ad industry exec says, "We believe that every advertising
issue has been modified to be treated as a children's protection issue."
Nora Fitzgerald, "Watching the Kids: The Internet opens
a new front in the battle over children's ads," Adweek, May 6, 1996,
p. 26.
1996
No Smoking Billboards
3M Media, one of the largest billboard companies, announced it will
no longer accept tobacco advertising on its boards. The move was
driven by stockholder demands. A tobacco industry spokesperson reacted,
"You have to wonder what's next, because these same folks don't like
liquor ads or gambling ads."
Lauran Neergaard, "Billboard company stubs last cigarette ads," Austin
American-Statesman, May 3, 1996, p. C7.
1996
Obscene Frogs
After Ohio rejected labels for Bad Frog beer, Michigan's Liquor Control
Commission decided to take a closer look at the labels, which it
had previously approved. On second look, the Commission said it
may stop sales of the beer unless it changes the labels. On the label,
a frog is shown with an extended middle finger. (Do frogs have fingers?)
The slogan on the label declares, "He's mean, green and obscene."
A Michigan Assistant Attorney General agreed that the labels were
"obscene."
Todd Pruzan, "Bad Frog beer triggers an amphibious assault,"
Advertising Age, April 1, 1996, p. 54.
1996
We Don't Trust Ads
A worldwide survey of consumers found that 72 percent believe marketers
exaggerate health benefits of their products. And 70 percent are convinced that
marketers brainwash children. Only 38 percent agreed that marketers give
consumers accurate information.
"The world's view of marketers," Ad Age International, January
15, 1996, p. 10.
1995
Ads Cause Smoking
A study, conducted by a medical researcher, says that kids are twice
as likely to be influenced to smoke by tobacco ads as by peer pressure.
In the survey, about 60 percent of nonsmokers age 12 - 17 were able
to name their favorite cigarette ad. The researcher claims these
children are more receptive to smoking and more likely to become smokers
than other nonsmokers in that age group.
"Ads lure youths to smoking, studies find," Austin
American-Statesman, October 18, 1995.
1995
Mayor Says: Pull Your Pants Down
A campaign by Levi Strauss hung a pair of Dockers pants, worth about
$55, under plastic shields in Manhattan bus shelters. The pants were
on top, and a part, of an ad for Dockers. The ad had the word
"Nice" at the top and the word "Pants" at the bottom. If the pants
were stolen, the following message would be revealed in their place:
"Apparently they were very nice pants." The Mayor and others were
upset, claiming this ad was encouraging people to vandalize the bus
shelters. Gannett Outdoor, which sold the ad space, agreed to remove
the ads.
Lawrence Van Gelder, "Advertiser Agrees to Rescind 'Invitation'
to Steal Trousers," The New York Times, September 27, 1995, p.
A1.
1995
Of Pornography and Advertising
Calvin Klein was forced to withdraw an ad campaign for jeans, because
it depicted teenage models in what some felt were little more than
kiddie-porn poses. In addition, the FBI is investigating the advertising
for possible criminal violations.
Barbara Lippert, "The Naked Untruth," Adweek, September 18,
1995, p. 26.
1995
President Proposes Tobacco Ad Restrictions
President Clinton proposed sweeping regulations of tobacco advertisements
as a means of protecting children. His proposal includes banning t-shirts
and caps with tobacco brand logos on them. The tobacco and advertising
industries immediately responded with lawsuits that challenge the
First Amendment rights affected by the President's plan.
Frank J. Murray, "Clinton faces First Amendment challenge on
cigarettes," The Washington Times, Friday, August 11, 1995, p.
1.
1995
Media Buying Worth Killing For
The executive director, and anchorman, of a Russian TV network was killed
after his company announced a halt on "irritating" advertising. It is believed that
his death is tied to that announcement, because of the large sums of
money lost by media wholesalers as a consequence of that decision.
Steven Gutterman, "Anchorman's slaying point to ad scandal,"
Advertising Age, May 1, 1995, p. 44.
1995
Reading, Writing, and Advertising
The Consumers Union published a report, "Captive Kids," that concludes
advertising has become pervasive in the nation's schools. The report
argues that schools should be ad-free zones that shelter students from
commercial messages.
Joan Beck, "Selling out: The nation's schools have thrown open
their doors to the wrong kinds of advertisers," Chicago Tribune,
April 27, 1995, Perspective Section, p. 27.
1994
Heil Advertising!
Asia Television (ATV), a Hong Kong TV station, ran an ad in the
English-language South China Morning Post and several Chinese publication
using a photo of Adolph Hitler. The ad suggested that Hitler would
have conquere the world if he had been able to advertise on ATV.
It ended with, "Before you come up with your final solution, call
your advertising agency or ATV." The station, the agency, and at
least one paper that ran the ad all apologized after scores of people
called radio stations to condemn the ad.
Pamposh Dhar, "Hitler-theme ad sparks furor," Advertising Age,
November 21, 1994, p. 28.
1994
We Don't Speak That Language
In France, a bill was passed by the lower house of Parliament that
would make the use of foreign language in ads a misdemeanor.
"French say 'Non' to foreign words in ads," Advertising Age,
June 20, 1994, p. 75.
1994
Don't "Hi" Me!
When Chrysler Corporation instituted its billboard campaign for Plymouth
Neon, with the word "Hi" prominently displayed, it raised the ire
of Milwaukee's Mayor, John Norquist. Norquist charged that the campaign
with promoting lawlessness, because graffiti artists found the board
a tempting target. Anonymous artists had modified the "Hi" to read "Hip,"
"High tech," and "It's a Hit."
Peg Masterson,"Graffiti fighters erase Neon's 'Hi' ad boards,"
Advertising Age, May 16, 1994, p. 17.
1994
War in Advertising
Responding to a letter from a Sarajevo war refugee, Benetton ran
an ad campaign depicting only a single bloody uniform of a deceased soldier.
Several publications refused to run the ad, including the Los Angeles
Times. The Vatican newspaper ran an editorial calling the
ad "advertising terrorism."
Gary Levin, "Benetton ad lays bare the bloody toll of war," Advertising
Age, February 21, 1994, p. 38.
1994
Racially-Biased Advertising
A Baltimore real estate developer used only white people in its ads,
for three years in a row. A court ordered the developer to pay $2 million
in damages, saying the ads violated the federal Fair Housing Act
of 1968.
Denise Smith Amos, "Verdict sends anti-bias message to advertisers,"
St. Petersburg Times, January 31, 1994.
1993
Dietary Supplements Must Provide Less Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released new labeling regulations
that prohibit suppliers of dietary supplements from making claims
that they can prevent cancer, diminish hair loss, etc., unless they
can prove it. The dietary supplement industry countered that the
regulations will prevent them from even printing "rich in anti-oxidants"
on a label, thereby providing consumers with less information and
fewer choices.
Lauran Neergaard, "FDA mandates truth in advertising," The Indianapolis
Star, December 30. 1993, p. A5.
1993
Advertising According to the Pope
The Vatican is conducting a study of advertising ethics, in an effort
to provide moral guidance to ad practitioners.
Michelle McCarter and Judann Dagnoli, "Is advertising moral?
Vatican looking into it," Advertising Age, September 6, 1993,
p. 1.
1993
A Priestly Mandate
A Roman Catholic priest tried, without success, to run a newspaper
advertisement advocating the killing of doctors who perform abortions. The church, in response,
ordered him to either recant or resign.
"Priest's ad on abortion killings gets ultimatum," Austin
American-Statesman, August 18, 1993, p. A24.
1992
Prescription Drug Ads Called Deceptive
A study in a medical journal alleged that 62% of pharmaceutical ads
in medical journals posed "problems," suggesting that they were
misleading. Drug companies, backed by several marketing experts, argued
the study was not methodologically sound and drew unsupported conclusions.
Fred Danzig, "Drug marketers confront study authors," Advertising
Age, October 26, 1992, p. 48.
1992
Profits from Public Service Announcements
For years, the Department of Transportation used Vince and Larry, the
"crash test dummies," to promote highway safety. When department
officials came up with the bright idea of licensing Vince and Larry
for a line of action toys, to bring in extra revenue, they ran into
problems. The three major TV networks refused to run the department's
Vince and Larry ads as public service announcements (PSA's), because they
felt the ads would help to promote the toys. PSA's are free air time,
designed to serve the public interest, not a commercial interest.
Paul Farhi, "Crash dummy ads totaled by networks," Austin
American-Statesman, October 4, 1992, p. A25.
1992
PSA Backfires
A public service announcement was designed to keep young blacks
out of gangs. But when the ad portrayed black gang members as worse
than Nazi skinheads and Ku Klus Klan members, critics argued the ad
could inflame racial tensions.
"Critics charge anti-gang ad may inflame racial tensions," Austin
American-Statesman, August 20, 1992, p. A3.
1992
Killer Ads
A federal court upheld a $4.3 million damage award to the sons of
a man who was killed in a contract murder. Soldier of Fortune
magazine was held liable in the suit, because the magazine published a
suggestive classified ad that led to the killer being hired. This
decision raised serious questions about the liability of publishers where
harmful events are linked to the classified ads run in their magazines
and newspapers.
Ronald Smothers, "Soldier of Fortune Magazine Held Liable for Killer's
Ad," The New York Times, August 19, 1992.
1992
Abortion in Political Ads
A candidate for Congress pushed the limits of federal law by running 30-second
TV spots showing dead fetuses, as a part of an anti-abortion platform.
Some stations did not want to run the ads, but the FCC told them they
were required by law to do so.
Steven W. Colford, "Candidate's anti-abortion spots test federal limits,"
Advertising Age, April 27, 1992, p. 3.
1992
Nun Better
A radio station in Grand Rapids, MI, angered many local citizens
when it ran a billboard featuring the Pope listening to the radio station,
accompanied by the headline "Father Knows Best." It angered them again
when another billboard appeared with a nun in headphones, captioned
"Nun Better." About 35 percent of Grand Rapids' residents are Catholic.
"Radio station tunes into controversy with boards," Advertising Age,
April 20, 1992, p. 17.
1992
No Irish Stereotypes, Please
As St. Patrick's Day approaches, beer marketers find themselves
in hot brew with many Irish Americans. The marketers are busy promoting
their brands with images of heavy-drinking leprechauns and other
themes that tie drinking with the holiday. These Irish Americans are
incensed by the stereotype these images create of the Irish as heavy
drinkers.
Joanne Lipman, "Irish-Americans Attack Beer-Ad Images," The Wall
Street Journal, March 16, 1992.
1992
Down with Billboards!
The Federal Highway Administration ordered owners of illegal signs and
billboards to tear them down. Failure to do so will cost the violators
$200 per day, and will cost each state in which violators persist
10 percent of their federal highway funding. Many of the "unsightly"
boards were legal when erected, but zoning laws and other restrictions have
been used to make them illegal.
"Billboard owners face ultimatum," Austin American-Statesman,
March 12, 1992.
1992
Don't Criticize the Government
Following an attempted coup in Venezuela, police demanded that a
leading newspaper refuse an anti-goverment ad. The ad blamed the
coup on a "social, economic and moral crisis resulting from the abuse
of power."
Associated Press, "Police raid media to control coverage of Venezuela
coup," Austin American-Statesman, February 9, 1992, p. A10.
1992
Advertisers Censor Our News
A report by the Center for the Study of Commercialism alleges that
advertisers dictate the content of newspaper articles through direct
threats to take their ad money elsewhere, and through a more subtle
self-censorship by reporters who are ever-conscious of advertiser pressure.
G. Pascal Zachary, "Many Journalists See A Growing Reluctance To
Criticize Advertisers," The Wall Street Journal, February 6,
1992, p. 1.
1991
Holocaust in College Newspapers
Bradley R. Smith created a nationwide uproar on college campuses
when he placed - or tried to place - full-page advertisements in
college newspapers around the country. The ads asserted that the
Nazis had no policy of exterminating Jews during World War II.
Some student newspapers ran the ads, but others refused, setting off
a debate about free speech and noncommercial advertising.
Katherine Bishop, "Los Angeles man creates latest furor: Role of
college papers in question as debate raging over anti-Holocaust ads,"
The Houston Chronicle, December 25, 1991, p. B11.
1991
Sexual Harassment Through Ads
Sexual harassment suits were filed against Stroh Brewery Company,
alleging that the company's ads "created an atmosphere conducive to
sexual harassment in the workplace." In particular, the ads for Old
Milwaukee's "Swedish Bikini Team" were identified as contributing to
that atmosphere.
Ira Teinowitz and Bob Geiger, "Suits try to link sex harassment, ads,"
Advertising Age, November 18, 1991, p. 48.
1991
The Question: To Condom or Not to Condom
The TV networks prohibit condom advertising. A survey of station managers
of ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates found that they feel the networks should
permit airing condom ads promoting disease prevention, but they were
overwhelmingly opposed to airing condom ads promoting contraception.
Joe Mandese, "Poll: Condom ads OK," Advertising Age, November
18, 1991, p. 3.
1991
According to the Ads, I'm Ugly
The number of people who are dissatisfied with their own appearance
has risen significantly over the past two decades. Their self-perceptions
have been distorted by comparing themselves to models in advertisements,
according to one psychologist.
Daniel Goleman, "Imagined ugliness is said to stifle daily lives,"
Austin American-Statesman, October 2, 1991, p. 1.
1991
Only the Ball is White
A billboard was removed after it did too good a job of achieving its
goal: stirring public debate. The board stated, "AFRO Country Club.
Where only the ball is white." The purpose of the board was to
call attention to some country clubs policies of racial exclusion.
Most viewers thought it was a real country club ad, and swamped local
radio talk shows with calls. Vandals spray-painted racial slurs and
swastikas on it.
"Outdoor ad stirs debate on racism," Advertising Age,
September 23, 1991, p. 38.
1991
Dog Days in Pflugerville
A housing development ran a commercial that mentioned competing
developments "way out in Plutoville," referring to a fictitious
town. When the ad appeared, some residents of the nearby town of Pflugerville
felt the ad was deriding their community. They felt the connection to
Pluto - a dog - was offensive, as was the implication that their town
was so far away.
John Kelso, "Pflugerville residents pfuming over development's 'Pluto'
ad," Austin American-Statesman, September 19, 1991, p. A22.
1991
Benetton Does it Again
The Advertising Standards Authority of Britain warned Benetton that its ad
showing a placenta-covered newborn baby, with umbilical cord still attached, was
offensive. That did not dissuade Benetton from putting the ad on
a billboard. The result: the company may have trouble placing ads
in Great Britain in the future.
Elena Bowes, "Benetton forges ahead," Advertising Age,
September 9, 1991, p. 14.
1991
Philanthropy Doesn't Pay
An Anheuser-Busch (A-B) promotion, using its "Bud Man," ran afoul of one
Texas state agency while benefiting another. The promotion, "Search
for Bud Man" entailed consumers retrieving Bud Man certificates from
12- and 24-packs of Budweiser, and sending them to the brewer.
For every certificate redeemed, A-B promised to donate $1000
to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The company already has
made $100,000 in donation to the Department. The catch: the Texas
Alcoholic Beverage Commission denounced the promotion as creating an
illegal inducement to buy an alcoholic beverage, and ordered A-B
to stop.
Bob Burns, "Why ask why? Promotion may cost brewer Texas license,"
Austin American-Statesman, August 16, 1991, p. 1.
1991
Ads Cause Movie Violence?
When the movie "Boyz N the Hood" opened, violence broke out in many
theaters across the country. Columbia Pictures, which made the movie,
was blamed for the violence. Critics believe that TV spots and trailers
promoting the movie, which showed violent scenes, contributed to
the violence in the theaters.
Marcy Magiera, "'Boyz' violence: Who takes the rap?" Advertising
Age, July 22, 1991, p. 3.
1991
Stopping Tobacco & Alcohol Ads is No Sin
A priest was arrested for vandalizing billboards. He admitted
to whitewashing boards that promoted tobacco and alcohol, but defended
himself as serving a higher law. A criminal jury found him not guilty, in
spite of his admission.
"A jury makes ads the outlaw," Advertising Age, July 15,
1991, p. 20.
1991
Power in the Alcohol Ads
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco an Firearms (BATF) regulations prohibited
brewers of malt liquor from making any reference to the alcohol strength of their
brands, but those regulations were not strictly enforced. When G. Heileman
Brewing Company began advertising its PowerMaster brand, however, the BATF
threatened to take action against virtually all malt liquor
manufacturers. Much of the public, too, was outraged over the
brand name. The BATF did force Heileman to take the word "Power" out of
the brand's name.
Alix M. Freedman, "Malt Advertising That Touts Firepower Comes Under
Attack by U.S. Officials," The Wall Street Journal, July 1,
1991, p. B1.
1991
Gun Ads and Boy Scouts
Boy's Life magazine was sued by a woman who alleged that a
gun ad in the publication caused some boys to play with a rifle,
resulting in the death of her son. The suit sought to permanently
prevent the Boy Scouts from advertising firearms.
"Boy Scout Magazine Sued," ABA Journal, February 1991,
p. 28.
1990
Dead Horses are Shocking
An ad depicting a dead horse dangling by its neck from a meat hook,
calling for an end to the export of horses for slaughter, was banned
by authorities in England. The ad, they felt, was too shocking
and offensive.
"Animal rights ad with dead horse banned in Britain," Austin
American-Statesman, November 17, 1990, p. A24.
1990
Volvo Monster Truck Deception
Volvo Cars of North America admitted that an ad for its cars was
made by modifying the cars used to "prove" that a Volvo would withstand
the crushing of a Monster Truck with little damage, while other cars
were flattened. Volvo was charged with deceptive advertising, by
the Texas Attorney General.
Raymond Serafin and Gary Levin, "Ad industry suffers crushing blow,"
Advertising Age, November 12, 1990, p. 1.
1990
Vietnam Stereotype
An insecticide maker was criticized for its insensitivity, because it
ran a mosquito repellent commercial in Japan that involved a parody on the
Vietnam War. Though the location was not identified, some viewers associated
the hats worn by some actors as being from the Vietnam War. They felt
this revealed a lack of consciousness of human rights.
David Kilburn, "Viet ad 'slur' pulled in Japan," Advertising Age,
September 17, 1990, p. 56.
1990
Sensible Advertising and Alcohol
A former Surgeon General called for health and safety messages about
alcohol, similar to the warnings on cigarette ads, to be included in
alcohol advertising. This proposal appeared in a bill before Congress,
called the "Sensible Advertising and Family Education Act." Those backing
the bill argued that the messages would act as a counter-balance to
the $2 billion advertising and promotion "smokescreen" created by
alcoholic beverage marketers.
Bobby Heard, "Alcohol advertising bill promotes responsibility,"
Austin American-Statesman, August 6, 1990, p. A7.
1990
Cadillac Ad is a Real Zero
To emphasize the price advantage Cadillacs have over Japanese competitors,
a print and TV campaign used images of Japanese fighter plans being
downed by gun-firing Caddies. One dealer, who refused to run the
ad, ran his own ad that denounced it as "obscene" and "racist."
The regional Cadillac office ordered the ad pulled, and the President of
the agency that created the ad apologized.
Jeffry Scott, "'Obscene, racist' ad pulled by Cadillac," Austin
American-Statesman, July 30, 1990, p. 7.
1990
Advertisers Bomb Japan
It has become popular for advertisers across the U.S. to engage in
"Japan bashing." Using samurai warriors, exaggerated accents, and
other techniques, ads increasingly poke fun at or directly criticize Japan,
in order to exploit economic tensions between the two countries.
Randall Rothenberg, "Japanese products, people under attack by
U.S. advertisers," Austin American-Statesman, July 15, 1990,
p. H1.
1990
HeartGuide Food Labeling Controversy
The American Heart Association, in response to pressure from the FDA,
discontinued its HeartGuide food labeling program. HeartGuide
provided selected food manufacturers with a seal of approval, to
help consumers identify products low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol.
The FDA complained that food regulation and identification was the
government's responsibility, not the Heart Association's.
Jeff Nesmith, "Heart association discontinues controversial food
labeling plan," Austin American-Statesman, April 3, 1990,
p. A3.
1989
It's Not Kermit, but It's Green
Retail stores have discovered there are profits in "green" ad claims.
Consumers, they've found, are increasingly concerned about the environment,
so the stores are capitalizing on those concerns with their own claims
of environmental consciousness. Critics, however, feel that many or
most of those claims are nothing but hollow hype, and that it is
wrong to tout environmentalism in order to promote further consumption.
Francine Schwadel, "Retailers Latch On to the Environment," The
Wall Street Journal, November 13, 1989, p. B1.
1989
People Die in Plane Crash Because of Ad
A jury found that Continental Airlines' ad campaign was misleading under
the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, thereby duping consumers into
believing the airline was safe. The ad, said the jury, overstated
the degree of training Continental's crew received. As a result, survivors
of a 1987 crash may try to prove that the ads caused them to fly on
Continental, thereby establishing that the ads caused their injuries
and the deaths of others.
Steven W. Colford, "What's at stake in crash case," Advertising Age,
October 23, 1989, p. 58.
1989
Attack Alcohol Ads
Dubbed "the new temperance," criticism of alcohol advertising and promotion is
at its highest level since Prohibition. Beer ads, in particular, are being blamed for
promoting alcohol consumption. One physician states, "The enemy
is not alcohol. It's the promotion of alcohol."
Pamela Ward, "Ads assailed as promoting alcohol abuse," Austin
American-Statesman, October 15, 1989, p. A10.
1989
College Sports and Beer
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) director Dick Schultz last
year proposed banning beer commercials from the next TV rights package
negotiated by the Association. However, under pressure from beer marketers
and college athletic directors, Schultz appears ready to drop his
proposal.
Scott Donaton, "NCAA chief backs of on beer ad ban," Advertising
Age, April 17, 1989, p. 1.
1989
Porno Pet Ads
When an ad agency shipped videotapes to the Cannes Film Festival,
officials in Great Britain stopped them, calling them pornography.
The tapes were television ads for the Massachusetts Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, but their titles were Sex Talk
and Tiger. Apparently those titles caused officials to think
their content was about human sexuality, rather than animal sexuality.
"Pet ads mistaken for pornography," Austin American-Statesman,
April 9, 1989, p. A18.
1989
Sexualizing Children
The ad showed a little girl in a bikini, posing with her mother
in the St. Tropez sun. When Bain de Soleil ran the ad, critics howled.
The child, they say, is portrayed as a sex object. They claimed this ad
is contributing to a trend in which society is sexualizing children.
Peter johnson, "Bain de Soleil ad has critics burning," USA
Today, March 17, 1989, p. D1.
1989
Ads Go to School
Whittle Communications, despite criticism, is planning a national rollout
of its "Channel One" news service. The service involves a 12-minute program,
carrying four commercials, daily. The controversy revolves around the
fact that this service is shown by schools to children, thereby guaranteeing
a captive audience. The rollout is to include about 10,000 schools
nationwide. One critic called it "a base attempt to bring commercial
interests directly into the classroom."
Patrick Reilly, "Whittle sticks by 'Channel One' rollout," Advertising
Age, March 13, 1989, p. 3.
Follow-Up:
The state of California has said it will cut funding for any school that
allows "Channel One" into its classrooms.
Bradley Johnson, "California moves to ban Whittle's 'Channel One,'"
Advertising Age, May 29, 1989, p. 1.
1989
Soup is Salty Food
The FTC charged Campbell Soup Company with making deceptive claims in
its "Soup is Good Food" ad campaign. The Commission said the ads
suggest Campbell's soups could reduce the risk of some forms of heart
disease, but failed to warn consumers of the salt content of many of
the soups. Salt is known to increase the risk of heart disease.
Warren Brown, "Campbell Accused of Making False Claims in Ad,"
Washington Post, January 27, 1989, p. B1.
1988
Sexism in Scotch Sales
An ad for Johnnie Walker scotch offended critics and consumers alike
when it depicted two bikini-clad women jogging along the beach.
The caption was, "He loves my mind. And he drinks Johnnie Walker."
The ad was labelled stupid and offensive by The Wall Street Journal,
and many others felt it was sexist. However, the criticisms seem to
actually be helping increase awareness of the brand.
Patricia Winters, "Sexist charges don't bug S&S," Advertising Age,
June 27, 1988, p. 34.
1988
Does Aspirin Prevent Heart Attacks?
The FDA warned major aspirin makers that ads promoting heart attack prevention
as a benefit of aspirin use might harm public health. The claims were
made after the National Institutes of Health published a study finding that
aspirin use could diminish heart attacks, but the FDA told the manufacturers
that this claim had not been approved for aspirin ads or labels.
"U.S. Warns Aspirin Makers About Heart Attack Advertising,"
The New York Times, February 28, 1988, p. 15.
1987
Santa Claus Doesn't Drink
Anheuser-Busch's Spuds MacKenzie Christmas ads hit a snag in Ohio.
A State ban on depicting Santa Claus in liquor ads was violated when
Spuds - a dog - was shown in ads wearing a red Santa-like suit,
in a sleigh, and carrying Bud Light in a sack. The State's Liquor
Department ordered the beer removed from stores.
"Ohio: Pull Spuds or Suds," USA Today, December 3, 1987,
p. 3A.
1981
Jeans Ads Go Too Far
A 15-year-old Brooke Shields has shocked the senses of the public
in an ad for Calvin Klein, but this is just one of many jeans ads
that seem to be aiming for the "suggestive" sell. It appears to
be a low-brow approach to pushing denim, as opposed to the glamour
of other fashion ads, and this critic says it's giving advertising a
bad name.
Dan Kelly, "Jeans advertising a case of shooting from the hip,"
Advertising Age, May 11, 1981, p. 54.
