UK Pulls Spotify Creepy Doll Ad After Deeming It “Unduly Distressing”
Jonathan Barkan
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Here’s an interesting story that’s got a bit of history but has reached an interesting point today. Back in the summer of this year, Spotify ran a 60-second ad on YouTube promoting their streaming service. The advert featured several people who love ex-Fifth Harmony singer Camila Cabello’s #1 hit song “Havana” but quickly learn that anytime they play it, a creepy doll appears and terrorizes them. Looking like something out of Puppet Master or Annabelle, and with a direct nod to A Nightmare on Elm Street, the creature pops up from the foot of the bed, in the reflection of mirrors, and more. Plus, it’s always nodding its head along to the song. Who says killers can’t have their own taste in music?
Anyways, coming back to the story at hand, the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK have decided that the ad is too scary for children and have made the rather intense leap of outright banning the ad in the country. Spotify tried to defend itself by saying that the ad is targeted to 18-34-year-olds, could be skipped, and was programmed in such a way so as to ensure it doesn’t appear next to “shocking or graphic content.”
“The fact the ad was set inside the home, including a bedtime setting, and featured a doll, meant it was particularly likely to cause distress to children who saw it. We did not consider that the context of the ad justified the distress,” the ASA said.
Spotify has since responded to this situation by issuing a statement saying, “We acknowledge the ruling from the ASA and regret any distress the ad may have caused the complainant.” [Source]
This isn’t the first time that the ASA has banned a horror-themed commercial. They did it earlier this year when OnePlus advertised their new phone and used a slasher-setting as the foundation. While mostly humorous and absurd, it was the final shot of the killer taking a selfie with body parts visible that caused the ban.
You can see both ads below.
https://youtu.be/tRrYHrCD8jY
Categorized:News
