Heinz Pulls Ad Showing Men Kissing (UK - VIDEO)

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jun/24/asa.advertising

Heinz pulls ad showing men kissing

Mark Sweney
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday June 24, 2008

Heinz has withdrawn its Deli Mayo TV ad that featured two men sharing a kiss and apologised to viewers after the advertising regulator received about 200 complaints that it was offensive and inappropriate.

The Heinz Deli Mayo ad has been pulled after less than a week on air after viewers complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that it was "offensive" and "inappropriate to see two men kissing".

Other complaints include that the ad was "unsuitable to be seen by children" and that it raised the difficult problem of parents having to discuss the issue of same-sex relationships with younger viewers.

"It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognise that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it," said Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK.

- snip -

The TV ad is the first by Heinz's new ad agency AMV BBDO since it won the £10m-a-year UK business last year.

AMV BBDO said that the concept behind the campaign is that the product tastes so good, "It's as if you have your own New York deli man in your kitchen."

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