Dating in the Dark: Advert Banned For “Ginger” Remark

“How do you spot a ginger in the dark?” was the question asked in an advert for Virgin Media’s ‘Dating in the Dark’ programme, to which the ASA has removed the ad as it “challenged people’s perceptions of attractiveness.”

“Looks or personality… who wins?” was the sub-line underneath the question which highlighted the word “ginger” in a sea blue colour against a dark black background.

The advert was complained about by three people who saw the newspaper advert which bared the Virgin Media logo, and therefore saw criticism from the Advertising Standards Authority. It is the first time in 47 years that the ASA have banned an advert that took a poke at “redheads, ginger people, strawberry blonde people” (which ever you find appropriate).

The ASA also said that the advert was banned for breaching rules on decency, and said that it suggested “that people with ginger hair were unattractive.”

What do you make of this? Do you think the advert was unjust? Did you find anything wrong with the advert? What are your views?

Source: The Independent