EasyJet’s bikini advert not offensive, agrees ASA
But use of “weapons of mass distraction” phrase was distasteful, says watchdog
A somewhat-controversial advertisement for EasyJet, showing a well-endowed woman and bearing the catchline “discover weapons of mass distraction” is NOT offensive, according to advertising watchdogs.
As reported by News From Abroad, the advertisement attracted nearly 200 complaints – mainly stating that it was sexist and that the reference to “weapons of mass distraction” was too flippant at a time when the country was at war in Iraq.
However, the airline stated that it thought the advert was not sexist, and that it was just one of a series of adverts that used “topical, humorous and irreverent” humour.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), making its judgement, said that though the headline used in the advertisement was distasteful, the overall tone was light-hearted and as such was not likely to cause serious offence.
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