M&C Saatchi Wanadoo ad pulled for encouraging reckless behaviour

LONDON - A TV commercial by M&C Saatchi for Wanadoo broadband showing teenagers playing in a scrapyard and kissing has been banned by the advertising watchdog for being too dangerous and explicit, after a total of 68 complaints.

The TV ad for Wanadoo features a group of teenagers racing through a scrapyard full of wrecked cars dancing, laughing, shouting and splashing about in muddy puddles, while a rock soundtrack plays in the background.

The final shot, seen though a smashed windscreen of one of the cars, shows a boy and girl French kissing, a scene that saw 62 viewers complain it was too explicit, particularly when children could be watching.

M&C Saatchi defended the ad, saying it was common to see such a kiss in programming before the 9pm watershed such as 'Hollyoaks' and on weekend morning show 'T4'.

But the Advertising Standards Authority said it was not normal to see such a passionate kiss out of a drama context and that it was too graphic considering the timing.

A further 12 viewers complained about the use of the scrapyard in the ad as a dangerous place to play.

The agency said the scrapyard was just a backdrop and the teenagers were not seen playing with the cars, rather they were splashing around in mud and puddles.

The ASA said it felt that after seeing the ad, children who are impressionable to teenage behaviour would be encouraged to play in a scrapyard which could cause them serious injury. It therefore concluded the ad was unsuitable to be shown at any time.

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