Watchdog thumbs up for public sex shop ad
POSTER COMPLAINT REJECTED
A SEX shop has been told itss advert is NOT too racy to appear on billboards following complaints.
The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) ruled in favour of 4Play sex shop, which is based in Benton, North Tyneisde, after someone made a complaint about the advert.
The poster, which featured a scantily clad model, was placed on Whitley Bay High Street, close to where the shop was based, before it moved to the North Tyne Industrial Estate.
A passerby complained to the ASA and said they believed that the ad was unsuitable for display where children could see it, and challenged whether the ad was irresponsible.
However, the standards board ruled that, although the image featured was sensual, and the advert overall was sexually suggestive, it was not explicit.
The authority said: “We noted that the model featured in the advert was in a reclining pose that accentuated her chest and hips.
“The model’s hair appeared tousled, her lips were slightly parted and she had a sultry facial expression.
“Although the model was wearing a matching lingerie set, we noted that it was not overtly revealing and the advert did not show any nudity.
“We noted that the name of the shop was a play on words and acknowledged that some might find the name distasteful, but considered that the pun was
unlikely to be understood by most children.
“We also acknowledged that some might find the products sold by the shop distasteful, but noted that such products could be advertised as long as they comply with the advertising standards code.”
Scott Jones, director of the sex shop, which has been operating for eight years, said he was pleased that the authority agreed that they had done nothing wrong.
“This proves we are just like any other business and we do things properly by the rules.
“People target the sex industry when every other industry has models in their underwear and swimming costumes in adverts too. It’s very frustrating.”