This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/apr/24/pussy-energy-drink-ads-banned

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pussy energy drink ads banned over 'sexually explicit reference' Pussy energy drink ads banned over 'sexually explicit reference'
(5 months later)
Posters promoting an energy drink that featured the word "pussy" in large letters have been banned by the advertising watchdog for being likely to cause serious and widespread offence.Posters promoting an energy drink that featured the word "pussy" in large letters have been banned by the advertising watchdog for being likely to cause serious and widespread offence.
The ad campaign, which used the strapline "The drink's pure, it's your mind that's the problem" alongside the word "pussy" in large type, attracted almost 160 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority.The ad campaign, which used the strapline "The drink's pure, it's your mind that's the problem" alongside the word "pussy" in large type, attracted almost 160 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority.
Complainants said that the ad was offensive as the word "pussy" is sexually explicit and that it is derogatory, sexist and degrading to women. Others complained it was unsuitable to run where children could see the posters.Complainants said that the ad was offensive as the word "pussy" is sexually explicit and that it is derogatory, sexist and degrading to women. Others complained it was unsuitable to run where children could see the posters.
Pussy Drinks claimed it was "ironic" people were complaining given its strapline pointed out that the drink was pure and it was viewers' minds that were tainted.Pussy Drinks claimed it was "ironic" people were complaining given its strapline pointed out that the drink was pure and it was viewers' minds that were tainted.
It also rather disingenuously pointed out that the Oxford English Dictionary definition of pussy is "a cat, particularly a kitten". Like a small cat their drink symbolically had the traits of being cool, beautiful, feline and natural – with some attitude.It also rather disingenuously pointed out that the Oxford English Dictionary definition of pussy is "a cat, particularly a kitten". Like a small cat their drink symbolically had the traits of being cool, beautiful, feline and natural – with some attitude.
The ASA said that the ads did not directly link the word "pussy" with women and so was not derogatory or sexist to women.The ASA said that the ads did not directly link the word "pussy" with women and so was not derogatory or sexist to women.
However, it said: "we nonetheless concluded that because the ad made express reference to the dual meaning of the word 'pussy', it would be understood to be intended as a sexually explicit reference which, in the context in which it appeared was likely to cause serious and widespread offence."However, it said: "we nonetheless concluded that because the ad made express reference to the dual meaning of the word 'pussy', it would be understood to be intended as a sexually explicit reference which, in the context in which it appeared was likely to cause serious and widespread offence."
The ASA said that the ad could be seen by children of all ages.The ASA said that the ad could be seen by children of all ages.
"We considered that because the ad made express reference to the dual meaning of the word 'pussy', it would be understood by some older children to be intended as an offensive or sexually explicit reference, and concluded that the ad was unsuitable to appear where it could be seen by children," said the ASA."We considered that because the ad made express reference to the dual meaning of the word 'pussy', it would be understood by some older children to be intended as an offensive or sexually explicit reference, and concluded that the ad was unsuitable to appear where it could be seen by children," said the ASA.
The ASA banned the ad saying it must not appear again in its current form.The ASA banned the ad saying it must not appear again in its current form.
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.