Virgin Atlantic's Controversial New TV Ad
Virgin Atlantic’s latest tongue-in-cheek retro TV advert has been causing quite a stir this week with over 30 people complaining that the high-profile TV ad campaign, created to celebrate Virgin Atlantic’s 25th anniversary, is sexist.
The ad shows disgruntled passengers sitting waiting for a flight in at Heathrow Airport in 1984 when suddenly, to the sound of Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, five gorgeous air stewardesses stride through the crowd bringing the airport to a stand still as stunned men stop and stare.
Last week advertising watchdog ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) dismissed complaints that the TV ad is sexist and offensive to women, saying that there were no grounds for a formal investigation adding that it ‘considered that the ad was unlikely to be seen as sexist or derogatory towards women or to cause serious or widespread offence.’
The advert features iconic images from the 1980s, including showing a businessman using a brick sized mobile phone, and plays upon stereo types of advertising in the 80s when Virgin Atlantic was first launched.
Created by ad agency RKCR, the TV ad has been made to publicise the airline’s official 25th birthday on 22 June.
The Daily Mail quotes a spokesman for Virgin Atlantic as saying; ‘The ASA has rightly dismissed these complaints, which probably come from competitors jealous of our fantastic cabin and flight crew. Our advert has been brilliantly received worldwide and reinforces why so many people want to work for Virgin Atlantic.’
Check out the advert for yourself and see what you think! Is it really sexist or are people getting uptight over nothing? Add you comments below.
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3 Comments
any “other services” there?
Let’s face it – the ad worked as it has got a huge amount of coverage both on TV and the internet for free in articles like this.
@ Mark H
Very true! I’m sure the Marketing Department at Virgin will be more than happy to field a handful of complaints in return for what is probably millions of pounds worth of free advertising!?