Advertising has been an integral part of marketing for decades, and commercials from the 1970s aimed to be memorable and attention-grabbing. However, some ads from this era were considered too controversial or offensive for television broadcasts, leading to their removal.
These banned commercials were usually pulled either voluntarily by the company or due to regulatory concerns or viewer complaints. This article focuses on ten such commercials that were banned for being too provocative or inappropriate.
From PETA’s contentious ad to Mountain Dew’s bizarre creation, these advertisements generated controversy and raised important questions about responsible advertising and cultural sensitivity.
PETA’s “Veggie Love”
PETA’s advertisement called “Veggie Love” sparked controversy for its sexually suggestive content. The ad was created as part of PETA’s “Go Veg” campaign and featured women wearing revealing clothing engaging in sexually suggestive acts with various vegetables.
The ad aimed to promote vegetarianism as a way to improve one’s sexual health and urged viewers to consider this lifestyle change. However, the ad was deemed too explicit and was banned by major TV networks.
Critics argued that the ad objectified women and trivialized the issue of sexual harassment and assault. Despite PETA’s defense of the ad as a way to spread the message of vegetarianism, it ultimately received more negative than positive attention.
Burger King’s “I Am Man”
Burger King’s “I Am Man” commercial was banned due to its suggestive and offensive content. The ad featured a man with a sandwich in his pants that appeared to resemble a phallus.
The goal of the ad was to promote the “Super Seven Incher” sandwich, but it received criticism for its sexualized content.
Critics argued that the commercial perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes and objectified both men and women. Burger King’s “I Am Man” commercial from the 1970s depicted a manly man eating a Whopper and sparked controversy for its portrayal of gender roles.
After the advertisement was banned, Burger King apologized for any harm that the ad may have caused. Although the ad may have intended to be humorous, it crossed the line and serves as an example of the potential consequences of inappropriate advertising.
Reebok’s “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker”
Reebok’s “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” advertisement was banned due to its violent nature. The commercial featured a made-up character named Terry Tate, an office linebacker who violently tackled his coworkers for breaking the official rules.
Reebok’s “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” from the 1970s was a humorous commercial featuring a football player tackling office workers to promote Reebok’s athletic gear. The ad was part of Reebok’s “Sport the Unexpected” campaign, aiming to attract attention and humor. However, it received backlash for trivializing workplace bullying and promoting aggression.
Despite Reebok’s defense, the ad was pulled from broadcasting. The ban highlights the importance of responsible advertising and the necessity of considering the potential impacts on the audience.
KFC’s “The Hot Chick”
KFC’s advertisement titled “The Hot Chick” was banned for its suggestive content. The commercial featured a woman dancing sensually with a sandwich to promote KFC’s “Double Down” sandwich. The ad was criticized for objectifying women and using sexual imagery to sell a product.
Multiple complaints were filed with the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority, resulting in the ad’s removal from the airwaves. KFC issued a statement apologizing for any offense caused by the ad and committed to responsible advertising.
The commercial serves as a reminder that while ads may aim to be amusing and provocative, they must be mindful of their content and avoid crossing boundaries.
Calvin Klein’s “Obsession”
Calvin Klein’s “Obsession” advertisement was criticized for its provocative content. The ad featured supermodel Kate Moss topless, with a sheet covering her body and her arms placed to conceal her breasts.
The commercial was part of Calvin Klein’s fragrance campaign and received criticism for its overly sexualized nature. Calvin Klein’s “Obsession” commercial from the 1970s was a controversial ad featuring a nearly nude model and suggestive content to promote perfume. Critics claimed the ad objectified women and perpetuated negative gender stereotypes.
Furthermore, the advertisement was seen as promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Although Calvin Klein defended the ad as a form of art, it was banned from television broadcast in several countries.
The controversy around the ad highlights the importance of responsible advertising and being mindful of the potential impact on viewers.
Axe’s “Clean Your Balls”
Axe’s advertisement named “Clean Your Balls” faced backlash for its explicit content. Axe’s “Clean Your Balls” commercial from the 1970s was a provocative ad featuring a suggestive song and golf balls to promote their shower gel for men.
The commercial featured a man washing his genitals with an Axe shower gel, accompanied by the tagline “Clean your balls.” The ad was created as part of Axe’s “Cleaner is Better” campaign, aimed at promoting their shower products.
Critics argued that the ad was vulgar and inappropriate for television broadcasting, with the potential to offend some audiences. Additionally, some expressed concern that the ad reinforced negative gender stereotypes and objectified men.
The advertisement was banned in several countries, including the UK and South Africa. Although Axe defended the ad as a humorous take, the controversy surrounding it serves as a reminder of the need to be aware of the potential impact of advertising on viewers.
Mountain Dew’s “Puppy Monkey Baby”
Mountain Dew’s “Puppy Monkey Baby” commercial was banned for its bizarre and unsettling content. The ad featured a hybrid creature made up of a puppy, monkey, and baby promoting Mountain Dew’s new drink.
The advertisement was part of the “Kickstart” campaign and aimed to be humorous and unforgettable.
However, critics argued that the ad was too weird and had the potential to be frightening to children. Consequently, the ad was pulled from airing, and Mountain Dew issued an apology for any offense caused.
While the ad may have sought to be creative and distinctive, it crossed boundaries, underscoring the significance of striking a balance between entertainment and appropriateness in advertising.
Volkswagen’s “Jamaican Accent”
Volkswagen’s “Jamaican Accent” advertisement received criticism for its depiction of Jamaican culture. The commercial featured a white man speaking in a Jamaican accent to promote Volkswagen’s new car. Volkswagen’s “Jamaican Accent” commercial from the 1970s featured a white man speaking in a Jamaican accent to promote a new car and drew criticism for its portrayal of Jamaican culture.
Although the ad aimed to be humorous and playful, it was met with concerns about perpetuating negative stereotypes. Volkswagen defended the ad by citing it as being inspired by a Jamaican co-worker, but it still offended many people.
As a result, the ad was banned from a TV broadcast in some countries, and Volkswagen released a statement apologizing for any offense caused. The controversy surrounding the ad highlights the significance of being culturally sensitive and avoiding potentially offensive advertisements.
Groupon’s “Tibet”
Groupon’s “Tibet” advertisement was banned for its controversial content. The ad featured actor Timothy Hutton discussing the struggles of the Tibetan people before transitioning to a promotion of Groupon deals. The commercial was criticized for trivializing the political situation in Tibet and using it to sell discount vouchers.
Critics contended that the ad was insensitive to the Tibetan people’s quest for independence and failed to address the significant human rights violations that have occurred in the region.
After receiving criticism, Groupon said they were sorry and took down the advertisement. The controversy surrounding the ad highlights the importance of responsible advertising and the need to avoid exploiting sensitive political issues for commercial purposes.
Nando’s “Last Dictator Standing”
Nando’s “Last Dictator Standing” advertisement received criticism for its controversial content. The commercial featured a look-alike of former Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe having a fictitious last meal with other dictators in a luxurious mansion.
The ad aimed to promote Nando’s chicken, but it was criticized for its insensitive portrayal of Mugabe and other oppressive regimes. Critics argued that the ad minimized the severe human rights abuses and oppression that occurred during Mugabe’s rule.
Although Nando’s claimed that the ad was intended to be humorous, it was ultimately removed from the television broadcast. The controversy surrounding the ad highlights the importance of responsible advertising and the need to avoid exploiting sensitive political issues for commercial gain.
Conclusion
The commercials we explored in this article offer a glimpse into the numerous ads that have been banned for their provocative or controversial content. These advertisements highlight the importance of striking a balance between creativity and responsibility in marketing.
While companies may seek to create memorable ads that capture attention, they must also consider the potential impact and consequences of their commercials. The controversies surrounding these banned ads serve as a reminder of the need to be aware of cultural sensitivity, ethical considerations, and the potential impact on viewers.
Ultimately, responsible advertising is essential for building a positive brand reputation and maintaining consumer trust.
