Payday loan company under fire for ‘socially irresponsible’ Santa ad after complaint from Money Saving Expert
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned an ad from payday loan company Speedy Cash, which offered children a free photo with Father Christmas, branding it as ‘socially irresponsible’.
The ad, which was depicted on a leaflet, offered the picture along with a Christmas treat, prompting MoneySavingExpert.com to lodge a complaint that the ad trivialised the advertiser's service and was targeted at families with children.
Speedy Cash said the ad was intended to celebrate a happy time of year and a seasonal event with their local community.
The company added that the leaflet “in no way” sanctioned the use of its services or any of its product offerings, which also included non-credit facilities.
The ASA disagreed and said that marketing an event aimed at children which took place in a shop that offered services including payday loans was socially irresponsible.
The ad was banned in its current form and Speedy Cash was ordered not to target ads for in-store events at families with children.