UK Wants Heinz to Keep it in the Closet

Heinz has pulled the above U.K. spot that shows two men kissing, after British viewers complained the ad was “inappropriate”.

The spot was created by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. According the Adage, viewers contacted the Advertising Standards Authority watchdog and complained that it is “inappropriate to see two men kissing” and that the ad was “unsuitable to be seen by children.”

Turns out the spot would have probably gotten pulled anyway since it carried some nutrition-related restrictions. The rule in the UK is that it “could not be shown in or around children’s programming because of the levels of fat, salt and sugar in the product”.

This was the first spot produced by these guys since they won Heinz’s $20 million U.K. business last year. Um, way to come out swinging guys? Wonder who is gonna take the heat on this one. The way things are going, I’m sure you’ll see AgencySpy posting about layoffs tomorrow.

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