Barney ad banned for ‘encouraging underage drinking’
A Manchester Bar was banned by Barney for encouraging irresponsible and non-disregard drinking.
The paid article, which appeared in Meta for Mojo Manchester in May, contained the Mor Children’s TV character with text: “A tequila, two tequila, three tequila, ground-barney.”
Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) decided that the advertisement was designed to be humorous, but it would “encourage excessive drinking” and appeal to those under 18 years of age.
In his answer, Mojo, directed by Voodoo Doll Ltd, refused to do any mistake. The company argued that the audience in Meta is limited to adults and that the image of Barney will be resonated by the growing up with the 1980s and 1990s. Posta said that it was designed as a “fun stimulant story” and a way of light -hearted debates between customers and did not encourage alcohol abuse.
“We are determined to believe that we have not attempted to encourage non -disregard alcohol consumption or excess consumption,” the company said.
However, Asa found that Barney’s bright colors and fun appearance would appeal to children. He also noted that the advertising was displayed on a platform where users think of their age without a solid verification, and there were no extra measures to prevent them from seeing under the age of 18.
In his decision, the guard said: ık We acknowledged that the advertisement was intended to be fun in tone. However, we still thought that it encouraged excessive drinking and therefore violated the code. ”
ASA concluded that the advertisement should not be “in the complained form”.
Mojo criticized the decision: “Extremely overwhelming to his mission was a benign entertainment. Exactly what we are looking for. We believe in ASA’s decisions on this issue and the risk of dragging the censorship realms.”
