Britain's 10 Most Controversial Ads Of All Time
Britain's ban-happy Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is celebrating its 50th birthday. After opening presents (which surely included smelling salts, fainting couches, and pearls for clutching), the watchdog celebrated by publishing a list of the most controversial ads of all time.
In 50 years of service, the ASA has received 431,100 complaints—and these ads got the most complaints. Keep in mind, however, that just it just takes one vote to ban an ad, and just because a commercial inspires 1,671 complaints doesn't mean that it will get pulled.
The results taught us a lot about British sensibilities: like how more people were offended by a KFC ad where women sing while chewing than commercials featuring child abuse, nudity, Photoshopped models, and the Pope shilling condoms.
Get Advertising Emails & Alerts
- THE PAYMENTS ECOSYSTEM: The players and trends that are reshaping the industry
- Square and PayPal are taking advantage of opportunities to help small businesses grow
- THE CONNECTED-CAR REPORT: Forecasts, technologies, and manufacturers
- Here's how the Internet of things will grow across home, enterprise, and government