Response to Are Abbey National's ads getting you down? Do you think it's entitled to joke about persistent harassment?

I've just got this reply to my complaint about the advert:

Thank you for contacting us about the above advertising.The ITC has a statutory duty to ensure that television advertising is not misleading in any material way, is not offensive to viewers in general or to a significant proportion of any particular group in society. We also try to ensure that advertising is not itself likely to lead to harm to viewers (particularly to children).

Although I appreciate your strong feeling about the Abbey National advertisement, I am afraid we do not feel there are grounds for ITC intervention. In general, as long as the content of the television advertising complies with our guidelines, the advertiser can promote its product in any way it chooses.

I do understand why you would find the advertisement objectionable and am sorry that we cannot take any further action. Thank you nonetheless for taking the trouble to raise this matter with us.

Yours sincerely Amy Thomas Advertising Complaints Officer

If anyone wants to speak to Amy Thomas here's the contact info: Direct Line: 020 7306 7702 Direct Fax: 020 7306 7717 email: amy.thomas@itc.org.uk

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