Thinkfarm's new Rolling Stones ad campaign deemed too indecent for London Underground
An advertising campaign for the Rolling Stones’ new exhibition covering the history of the band has been banned by Transport for London (TfL) after chiefs took the decision not to approve the posters because they were indecent.
The logo and advertising campaign was created by brand strategists Thinkfarm who worked closely with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, as well as promoter iEC Exhibitions during the creation process.
Thinkfarm’s Creative Director Mark Norton headed the project which included a brief to make the most of the titled, ‘Exhibitionism’ in developing visual concepts for the band’s first ever major exhibition at London’s prestigious Saatchi Gallery from 6th April 2016.
However, the design featuring a bikini-clad woman with the Stones’ iconic lips logo over her pants has proven too provocative for TfL, which is responsible for approving posters appearing on the London Underground and at bus stops.
When asked by The Drum why the decision to ban the ad had been taken, a TfL spokesperson said that the advert “did not comply with our advertising policy so our advertising agent requested amendments to it.”TfL proposed an alternative version of the image, featuring the logo placed further up, which it said it would approve.
Thinkfarm, who have developed a close relationship with the band, having worked on the design of two of their albums and four of its tours, said that “upsetting officials is nothing new to the band.”
The agency’s managing director, Stephen Izatt, added that “in many ways London Underground’s refusal to allow the poster in its original form is an endorsement that we have got the design just about right.”
The company produced and directed the photo shoot, developed the visual language and headline copy, and put together a colour palette and typography that works across print, digital and video.
The advertising and marketing campaign included creating material for the big screens at Piccadilly Circus as well launch party graphics for the globally touring show.