An estate agent’s new adverts were taken down one day after being put up across London tube and railway stations, and within hours of appearing for the first time in the London Standard.
The adverts, for Marsh & Parsons, featured Theresa May, and although they did not mention Brexit, carried a caption about being semi-detached and awaiting planning permission.
Despite not one single complaint being received and the image of Mrs May being royalty-free and publicly available, the adverts fell foul of the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP).
CAP advised the outdoor advertising firm responsible for putting the adverts up, JCDecaux, to replace all the hoardings.
This was on the grounds that “marketeers must not unfairly portray or refer to anyone in an adverse way unless that person has given the marketer permission to allow it”.
There were no formal complaints, but it was decided that it was not worth the risk.
The image has now been replaced with another Marsh & Parsons advert.
A spokesperson for Marsh & Parsons said: “We note that the advert has been withdrawn following a decision made by JCDecaux.”
Comments (13)
Caption contest
image of Jeremy Corbyn.
answers on a postcard.
Completely Detached (from reality)
Requiring a new roof covering.
Would have been my caption
This story popped up on my email whilst I was parked in the car listening to PB’s latest radio advert. Here they state that they SOLD more properties than the top ten UK estate agents… only for the end of the advert to state that the claim is backed up by dated stats from ‘instruction’ to ‘sale agreed’ (not actually completed (Sold to the public)).
If only the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the ASA were as quick to ‘advise’ a firm that obviously has such blatant disregard as PB show them!!
Well done M&P. Can’t wait to see the ‘Detached’ campaign.
‘There can be no renegotiation.’
‘There can be no renegotiation.’
‘There can be no renegotiation.’
‘There can be no renegotiation.’
‘There can be no renegotiation.’
‘There can be no renegotiation.’
Oh, OK. we’ll take it down.
I’ll be honest – I don’t really get it, so I couldn’t tell if it’s a negative or positive portrayal.
Essentially it’s a big picture of Theresa May. 🙂
“Must not unfairly portray or refer to anyone in an adverse way” so, how do purple bricks get to trash all other agents?
Perhaps they should run an ad saying that following intense debate and negotiations, they’ve successfully concluded a Withdrawal Agreement, unlike some people who shall remain nameless…
A hearty round of Applause for Marsh & Parsons nonetheless.
Here’s a Free idea for your next Ad Campaign….
Your next Ad should carry a Silhouette of Mrs May, with the exact same wording!
It’s a Genuine suggestion…. surely a Silhouette Ad Campaign cannot be banned?
Even better get a look-a-like to do the image and get full advertising release. Job done
Clearly the CAP committee realised that the main offence was the fact that we are detached (by sea) and not a semi at all. The spirit of PMA lives on
Joking apart well done Marsh and Parsons…hope the non agency public clocked it before the angry of the internet had their way!
I hear that OTM is about to launch a campaign with GPLs face on it saying ‘OTM is lovely, lovely company and I love Ian Springett’.
You won’t be objecting GPL, will you?
You got my attention when I read….
“I (GPL) love Ian Springett”.
If you look down at your heart, you’ll see a small Red Laser Dot shining brightly just there…..
……the next thing you will experience is the afterlife!
IS can bask in his own Love, without any from me!