Derek the cuckoo in the clear from ASA complaints
Adverts for Irn Bru 32, created by the Leith Agency, have been cleared by the Advertising Standards Authority of being too aggressive following 34 complaints.
The advert, which features Derek the Cuckoo terrorising a bored student in a library has been cleared of the complaints, including one from the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit of Strathclyde Police and one from the clinical director of Glasgow Royal Infirmary’s A&E Department.
The Advertising Standards Authority’s concluded that “the language, theme and tone of the ads were likely to be taken as humorous and referred clearly to a comic Glasgow stereotype.”
Following the complaints, the agency redubbed the ads using a polite, English accent.
Gerry Farrell, creative director of The Leith Agency, said: "Despite the inevitable complaints we get for maintaining Irn-Bru’s maverick brand image we’re proud to say we’ve never had a complaint upheld against us."