Ad for energy drink Pussy banned following 156 complaints about campaign
The ASA has announced that one out of two ads for energy drink brand Pussy has been banned, after 63 complaints were made that it was ‘derogatory, sexist and degrading towards women’, as well as making sexual references.
The banned poster ad featured the word ‘Pussy’ in large text in the middle, with smaller text below stating 'The drink's pure, it's your mind that's the problem’.
Pussy Drinks Ltd said it was ironic that 156 complaints in all had been made about offence caused, given that the posters clearly stated that the drink was pure and it was the mind of the viewer that was the problem.
The ASA pointed out that consciously made reference to the dual meaning of the word "pussy", including its colloquial meaning, which some would consider sexually explicit, as well as showing an awareness that the colloquial use of the term "pussy" might be considered impure or problematic, and could therefore cause offence.
Another ad, which read ‘An energy drink that actually tastes good’ was not banned, although several complaints were made.