Paddy Power escapes ban over Clegg and Farage ‘Mass Debater’ ad
Online betting company Paddy Power has avoided a ban from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after readers complained about a sexually suggestive ad that ran ahead of the Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage TV debate.
The controversial company was subject to two complaints after the ad, which appeared in the Metro, featured the text ‘Who’s The Best Mass Debater?’ alongside photographs of the two politicians with suggestive facial expressions.
The complainants said the ad alluded to masturbation and was therefore offensive.
Paddy Power admitted that the ad "might be seen as distasteful by some readers" but said it believed from the small number of complaints, widespread offence had not been caused.
Associated News, owners of the Metro, said Metro readers were “young, intelligent, professional workers” who it believed would interpret the ad as a humorous way to highlight the Clegg v Farage live TV debate, on which they could place a bet.
In its ruling the ASA said that although there were no explicit references to masturbation, readers would understand the double meaning of the text and facial expressions. The watchdog added that in the context the ad appeared it was unlikely to cause offence to a serious or widespread degree.
No further action was necessary.