Many television commercials have been banned or were pulled from the air after a short run. Others that did air in the past wouldn’t last two seconds on screen today, as times have changed in terms of morals and ‘good taste’. Let’s take a look at some television commercials that created controversy when advertising creatives let their imaginations run wild.
To See or Not to See, That is the Question
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The German brand Ihr Optiker went a bit too far when highlighting poor visual acuity and the need for its services. Unsurprisingly, this ad was prohibited. In today’s climate, the creatives behind this ad, and the brand itself, would likely face severe backlash.
The Chocolate That… Melts
Of course, this ad was banned because it had sensual connotations that went beyond “good taste,” which is why it was pulled from the screens. The company behind it, Negusa, went out of business at the beginning of this century.
A Deadly Warning
Using death to reach consumers is not usually a welcome tactic. Here, Hyundai attempted to use dark humor, which led to the ad being banned, at least in Germany. Of course, almost everything can still be found online, even on platforms with restrictions, like YouTube.
IKEA Also Suffers Censorship
IKEA “Tidy Up” Banned Commercials
IKEA launched an advertising campaign under the slogan “Tidy Up,” consisting of three ads. All three were initially banned for their overt display of sexuality. Of course, they don’t lack a sense of humor, and they certainly succeed in being surprising. They fit perfectly with the brand’s idea of facilitating order with their furniture. Perhaps the ad where the woman is looking for her child might be unsettling for more sensitive viewers and is the most controversial of the three, but the other two are memorable.
Life is Short, According to Xbox
It’s not entirely clear why this ad was censored, really. This thrilling ad for the original Xbox console features a woman giving birth to a baby who is immediately shot out of a window. He flies through the air as he ages, passing from teenager to adult and from adult to old age… only to land in his own grave. The message: “Life is short; play more.” If you think about it, it almost seems like an anti-console campaign: if life is short, why spend hours in front of a screen playing games?
And Xbox has the ‘honor’ of having another ad pulled, this time for violence that was deemed too explicit for TV.
Small but Sturdy
Once again, a car brand—in this case, Volkswagen—created a campaign unsuitable for sensitive viewers. Talking about terrorism is not advisable, no matter how tough the Polo is.
The Most Provocative Kylie Minogue Ad That Stayed in Theaters
This ad seems designed for the greater glory of singer Kylie Minogue. And it certainly fulfills its seductive role, featuring transparent lingerie, a mechanical bull ride, and some more-than-suggestive movements. This ad was only broadcast in movie theaters and never on television. The best part is the end, when Kylie asks all the men watching to stand up to prove that the lingerie she advertises has had the desired effect.
Looks Can Be Deceiving
As we can see, most banned ads have a sexual component. Even in this shoe commercial, a misleading setup is used to create a surprising punchline. The truth is, they do it with a smile.
