Honey Birdette has 20th ad banned by Ad Standards
Lingerie brand Honey Birdette has had its 20th ad banned by Ad Standards for yet again not treating the issue of sex, sexuality and nudity with sensitivity.
The ad, which features two women in black lingerie standing on a balcony, saw complaints labelling the ad as “sexual”, “offensive” and “a form of pornography”.
The Honey Birdette poster banned by Ad Standards
“I was stopped in my tracks last night when I saw it. This image is more suited to being positioned as the centrefold in a men only magazine and is totally unsuitable in a shopping centre frequented by women and children It could be seen as an invitation for anal sex and is hugely inappropriate in a time of media publicity about the sexual objectification of women,” one complaint said.
Another complaint added: “Both pictures are of a sexualised nature and especially the bodysuit photo, are a form of pornography.”
While Honey Birdette didn’t provide a response to the complaints and ruling, Ad Standards said the ad contained sexual appeal but it wasn’t shown in a way which is degrading or exploitative.
“The advertisement depicted the woman as confident and comfortable, and considered that the advertisement did not depict the woman in a way which lowered her in character or quality.”
However, Ad Standards said the pose of the blonde model was “over sexualised” and “the image displayed a significant amount of bare buttocks”.
Ad Standards upheld the complaints and banned the ad for not treating the issue of sex, sexuality and nudity with sensitivity.
Abigail Dawson was Mumbrella's senior content journalist covering event content. She left Mumbrella to move into an agency role in 2020.
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EVERY BLOODY MONTH with Honey Birdette and Wicked Campers!
These guys to Mumbrella are like what dodgy tradies are to ACA. We get it – they receive complaints on a regular basis.
Just give it up…. or at least create a summary article at the end of the year.
FFS!
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Hi Slow News Day,
While we share your frustration with these stories regularly appearing, the constant complaints about Honey Birdette and Wicked Campers are relevant to the advertising industry – particularly in the context of Ad Standards’ boundaries and the effectiveness of the sector’s self-regulation.
So for the foreseeable future, we’ll be covering the rulings.
Cheers,
Paul Wallbank
News Editor
“I was stopped in my tracks last night when I saw it”
Same
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Was thinking the exact same thing but didn’t have the effort to type it.
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Wicked Campers AND Honey Birdette in the same email.
Click-bait … what does that rhyme with.
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This article is pure rediculous…. This is a beautiful normal human body coverd with fabric, no genitals to be seen. And stupid, shortminded people feel offended.
It’s a shame… next time maybe a lingerie brand should advertise its underwear with girl wearing a burka.. so no one could feel offended by an inch of skin you could possibly see..
Oh and by the way… for all those people feeling offended when seeing a female nipple:
You should probably consider reporting yourself to the police for raping your own child… you know because you exposed your newborn underage child to your bare nipple while breastfeeding…. Sounds rediculous? Because that’s what you sound like to me!
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