The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is banning more and more adverts each year.  In 2008 alone the ASA dealt with 26,433 complaints which led to 2,475 ads being changed or withdrawn. This comes as no surprise since we are a nation with an ever-growing concern for political correctness.

The threat of offending people has made it increasingly difficult for advertisers to leave viewers in shock and awe. Despite this however, many banned adverts, especially those from well known brands, continue to rack up views on video site such as Youtube. Once banned, the adverts spreads like viral wild fire and since they get sent to people by friends via Facebook or e-mails, viewers are more likely to respond to them. In fact, many brands can thank the ASA for a larger ROI than any paid slot could ever have provided.

VW – Don’t Forget It’s a Diesel.

This VW advertisement was banned as a result of its frequent use of expletives.  It is difficult to believe that VW’S advertising agency ever believed the advert was fit for TV screens. It is more likely that the adverts banning was a result of fine planning – an approach which provoked over 2 million views on Youtube.

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This isn’t the only time VW have had an advert banned for being controversial. Any guesses as to why this one got banned?

Polo – Small but Tough

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