Khan Banned London 'Shame' Body Ads
Khan Banned London 'Shame' Body Ads
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LONDON - London mayor, Sadiq Khan announced 'shame' Londoners ads which over their bodies are to be banned from the Tube and bus network.
The newly installed mayor said there will be a block on adverts that 'demean' women or encourage them to conform to unrealistic shapes.
The policy means controversial marketing campaigns, like 'Protein World's 'Are you beach body ready?' poster that provoked a huge backlash last year will no longer be allowed.
The Protein World adverts featuring a bikini-clad model provoked a storm of protest last year
Mr Khan, a father of two teenage daughters, said he had strengthened Transport for London (TfL) rules.
"No one's confidence or body image should be undermined by ads on our transport system," he said.
TfL's new advertising policy is only expected to affect a handful of the 12,000 adverts a year on the Tube, at bus shelters and on-street sites. It will not impose a blanket ban on all images of people in their underwear or swim stuff.
"As the father of two teenage girls, I am extremely concerned about this kind of advertising which can demean people, particularly women, and make them ashamed of their bodies. It is high time it came to an end," Khan said.
"Nobody should feel pressurised, while they travel on the Tube or bus, into unrealistic expectations surrounding their bodies and I want to send a clear message to the advertising industry about this," he added.
The mayor has asked TfL to establish an Advertising Steering Group to monitor its approach and keep its policy under regular review.
"Advertising on our network is unlike TV, online and print media. Our customers cannot simply switch off or turn a page if an advertisement offends or upsets them and we have a duty to ensure the copy we carry reflects that unique environment. We want to encourage great advertising that engages people and enhances the transport network," Graeme Craig, TfL's commercial development director said.
TfL's advertising estate is believed to be the most valuable in the world and is expected to generate more than £1.5 billion in revenue over the next eight and a half years.
Some 12,000 adverts appear each year, including on the Tube, London Overground, DLR, trams and bus shelters. The Mayor argued that there will be no impact on TfL's income.
The Protein World weight-loss ad, which featured a bikini-clad model, sparked a protest in Hyde Park as well as a petition on Change.org with more than 70,000 signatures. It was not banned by the Advertising Standards Authority.
The newly installed mayor said there will be a block on adverts that 'demean' women or encourage them to conform to unrealistic shapes.
The policy means controversial marketing campaigns, like 'Protein World's 'Are you beach body ready?' poster that provoked a huge backlash last year will no longer be allowed.
The Protein World adverts featuring a bikini-clad model provoked a storm of protest last year
Mr Khan, a father of two teenage daughters, said he had strengthened Transport for London (TfL) rules.
"No one's confidence or body image should be undermined by ads on our transport system," he said.
TfL's new advertising policy is only expected to affect a handful of the 12,000 adverts a year on the Tube, at bus shelters and on-street sites. It will not impose a blanket ban on all images of people in their underwear or swim stuff.
"As the father of two teenage girls, I am extremely concerned about this kind of advertising which can demean people, particularly women, and make them ashamed of their bodies. It is high time it came to an end," Khan said.
"Nobody should feel pressurised, while they travel on the Tube or bus, into unrealistic expectations surrounding their bodies and I want to send a clear message to the advertising industry about this," he added.
The mayor has asked TfL to establish an Advertising Steering Group to monitor its approach and keep its policy under regular review.
"Advertising on our network is unlike TV, online and print media. Our customers cannot simply switch off or turn a page if an advertisement offends or upsets them and we have a duty to ensure the copy we carry reflects that unique environment. We want to encourage great advertising that engages people and enhances the transport network," Graeme Craig, TfL's commercial development director said.
TfL's advertising estate is believed to be the most valuable in the world and is expected to generate more than £1.5 billion in revenue over the next eight and a half years.
Some 12,000 adverts appear each year, including on the Tube, London Overground, DLR, trams and bus shelters. The Mayor argued that there will be no impact on TfL's income.
The Protein World weight-loss ad, which featured a bikini-clad model, sparked a protest in Hyde Park as well as a petition on Change.org with more than 70,000 signatures. It was not banned by the Advertising Standards Authority.
(rnz)
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