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Fox pulls ‘scary bitch’ outdoor ad for Red Band Society after it was deemed ‘unacceptable’

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By Ishbel Macleod | PR and social media consultant

September 20, 2014 | 2 min read

Bus ads for new Fox hospital comedy-drama Red Band Society have been pulled after the chief of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) found that they could be "perceived as sexist or racist”.

The MTA CEO, Art Leahy ordered the posters removed shortly before a protest over the ads, which featuring images of the main characters alongside a sign describing them. The poster for actress Octavia Spencer read ‘scary bitch’.

Saying that the ads were “clearly not acceptable”, an MTA spokesperson added: "We don't run ads on our buses trains involving sex, liquor or gambling or that in any way perpetuate stereotypes."

Fox has now apologised to anyone who found the ads offensive.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We were notified yesterday morning of the concern around the ads, and immediately offered to remove the language.

"Metro Los Angeles ultimately decided to take down the ads, and we respect that decision.”

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