In the TBWA\London-created ad, which was not shown in and around childrens' programming, a boy is at his grandparents' house and gives them some Skittles, causing his grandfather to start scratching a record on the gramophone, and sending his grandmother loopy.
She starts to dance, rapping "Yeah, yeah, check it, check it, I'm a bad grandmother busting moves to shock ya" then rips open her cardigan and blouse and, with her back to the camera, flashes her grandson.
Five viewers felt that the ad was offensive because it linked the sweets with drugs.
The Advertising Standards Authority rejected the all the complaints. It said: "We considered that rather than negatively stereotyping or degrading the elderly the advertisement portrayed them in a fun and youthful light."
"It did not show any nudity. It showed an unusual scenario unlikely to be regarded as offensive by most viewers. There was no reference made to drugs or to drug culture. We believed it merely showed the invigorating effect the sweets had on the grandparents."
The ASA also said it did not consider the ad inappropriate for older children who might be watching non-childrens' programming, and would not impose any further scheduling restrictions.
In another case, a TV ad for City & Guilds attracted 55 complaints including that the ad was visually shocking and frightened young children, and had sexual overtones.
The ad by Archibald Ingall Stretton showed a teenager in his room groaning with his head arched back, with hands and a face appearing under his skin. The voiceover said: "You know the real you is in there somewhere and a City & Guilds qualification can help you find the right job to bring it out."
Rejecting the complaints, the ASA said the special effects were not to everyone's taste and only a small number of young children had been affected because the ad was not allowed to be shown in childrens' programming. It disagreed that the ad had sexual overtones.
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