The TV ad, created by Beattie McGuinness Bungay, aired on 23 January. It showed families taking part in outdoor activities and included a voiceover that said: "What would you like your children to inherit? A house? A clock? The family silver? Or something a little more valuable?
The on-screen text read:"4 night breaks from £249 for 4 people", while smaller text read "Subject to availability. Conditions apply. Book by 31 January 2012."
But the Advertising Standard Authority(ASA) received a complaint a after a viewer argued it was misleading because it was not clear that the four-night, £249 break had to be taken in January, February or March, when most pupils are at school.
In its defence, Center Parcs said it did not believe consumers would be expected to be able to take a family of four on holiday at the advertised price point, adding that the visual message of the ad was intended only as a general description of the Center Parcs environment, within which holidays were available at the price in the on-screen text.
But the ASA in its ruling said "The omissions of information about the available travel periods was likely to mislead."
Center Parcs admitted the deals were not available in school holidays but said the ruling was "harsh".
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1. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
2. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
3. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
4. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
5. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
6. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
7. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
8. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
9. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
10. Heading goes here
By Maisie McCabe, brandrepublic.com, 18 October 2010, 09:38AM
In the next phase of its development, the iPlayer, the BBC's online service, needs to appeal to a mass audience, according to Daniel Danker, general manager of programmes and on-demand at the BBC.
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