The spot, called "filter the unnecessary" was created by 72andSunny and showed a person enter a bar, which tilted when they ordered a drink, while text on the screen read, "Filter the fake. Keep the good stuff."
When the bartender poured the vodka and mixer into a glass music began to play. The customers began to smile, and text on the screen read, "Filter the unnecessary. Keep the good stuff."
The ASA ruled to ban the ad on the grounds that the ad implied alcohol is needed for a good night in a bar.
In its ruling, published today, it said: "We considered the ad's presentation implied that before the visitor asked for an alcoholic drink, the bar was cold and uninviting and that once his drink had been ordered, the bar changed and became livelier and more fun.
"We considered the contrast between the two implied it was the presence of the alcohol that was the pivotal point in the bar's transformation."
Diageo denied the claims by the ASA and said that it would appeal the decision. The company said the ad showed a move from a pretentious bar scene.
Julie Bramham, the marketing director at Smirnoff, said the company is "deeply disappointed" with the ASA’s adjudication.
She said: "We believe the advert clearly showed two scenarios that were separated by a physical change of the bar symbolising the ‘filtering’ of unnecessary pretentiousness, and not by the presence of alcohol.
"Pre-approval was granted by Clearcast and we will await the decision of the ASA’s appeal process."
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