Article Tags: Andrew Orlowski, CO2 Propaganda
You write the cheques, we’ll drown the puppies
The UK advertising industry has bravely decided it can continue to accept millions of pounds from the state to create alarming climate advertisements, despite inaccuracies and a storm of complaints from parents. The principled decision, from the admen’s self-regulatory body the ASA, follows 939 complaints about the UK energy ministry DECC’s “Drowning Dog” prime time TV and cinema ad (aka “Bedtime Story”) , which cost £6m, and four related posters.
Critics aren’t happy, and point out that the chair of the ASA, Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury, also chairs the Environment Agency, and is currently working closely with DECC.
The ASA dismissed complaints against the TV ad, although it upheld complaints against two of the related poster advertisements, and has requested they not be run again. On the charge that the campaign was political, ASA deferred to OFCOM, which is continuing to investigate the advertisements, and has not yet made a decision.
The TV and cinema ad predicted “awful heat waves” and “terrible storms and floods” for the future, claiming that life would be “very different in 26 years” if people failed to make decisions such as living in colder houses, or using less transportation. The ASA examined ‘Drowning Dog’ on the grounds it was misleading, was not based on objective evidence, and caused unnecessary personal distress.
Click source to read FULL report by Andrew Orlowski
Source: theregister.co.uk