ASA bans C4 ad implying teenage orgy

Skins%2C%20E4The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a poster ad for Channel 4 teenage drama Skins because it implied that an orgy was taking place.

The poster featured Skins character Michelle in a dishevelled state with a number of couples at her feet in various stages of undress.

The poster advertisement attracted 42 complaints suggesting the depiction of nudity and sex in the poster was offensive and unsuitable for children.

The ASA has asked Channel 4 not to use similar images in posters to promote the show in future. But it did not uphold complaints that the poster was irresponsible because it could be seen to encourage underage sex.

The regulator has also upheld a complaint against a TV ad for Loans.co.uk for appealing to people in debt and trivialising the nature of the service offered.

The execution showed a man coming home from work and taking part in various domestic situations, including helping one of his children with her homework and playing football in the garden.

A voice-over says: “When you get home from work, there’s more to life than sorting out your finances. Why not simply consolidate your existing credit into one affordable payment so you can focus on the things that really matter?”The ASA has ruled that the campaign cannot be aired again in its current form.