12 Outrageous Commercials That Got Banned After Airing
These commercials went way too far, and the networks wasted no time yanking them off the air.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Advertising often pushes boundaries to capture attention, but sometimes, it crosses the line, leading to bans and public outcry. This listicle explores 12 commercials that were deemed too outrageous for broadcast, examining the reasons behind their bans and the reactions they elicited.
1. Tango’s “Pipe” Ad
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In 2004, Tango’s “Pipes” commercial featured a man wrapped in a carpet filled with oranges, rolling down a hill after a goat triggers a mechanism. The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority banned it, fearing children might imitate the dangerous stunt.
2. Cigarette Ads
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In 1970, the U.S. government banned cigarette commercials from radio and TV due to health concerns. This marked a significant shift in advertising regulations, aiming to curb tobacco use among the public.
3. GM’s “Robot Suicide” Super Bowl Ad
Graham Crumb on Wikimedia Commons
General Motors aired a Super Bowl commercial depicting a robot contemplating suicide after making a mistake on the assembly line. The ad faced backlash for its insensitive portrayal of mental health issues and was subsequently pulled.
4. Holiday Inn’s “Bob Johnson” Transformation
Kansas City Royals on Wikimedia Commons
A Holiday Inn ad showcased a transgender woman named Bob Johnson at a class reunion, highlighting the hotel’s renovations. Critics accused the ad of being transphobic, leading to its removal from the airwaves.
5. Pepsi’s “Three Cans” Commercial
Dr. Partha Sarathi Sahana on Wikimedia Commons
In a bold move, Pepsi aired a commercial where a child buys three cans of Coke to reach a Pepsi can on a vending machine. The ad was criticized for promoting wastefulness and was eventually banned in certain markets.
6. Snickers’ Mr. T Ad
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
A Snickers commercial featuring Mr. T targeting a speed walker with candy bars was deemed homophobic and pulled from circulation. The ad faced criticism for promoting stereotypes and insensitivity.
7. PS3’s “This is Living” Campaign
Sony Computer Entertainment on Wikimedia Commons
Sony’s “This is Living” campaign for the PS3 featured a character named Kovac holding weapons, leading to accusations of promoting violence. The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority banned the ad for glamorizing anti-social behavior.
8. Match.com’s Satanic Date
Match.com on Wikimedia Commons
Match.com released an ad featuring Satan on a date with a woman named 2020, symbolizing the chaotic year. After facing criticism for trivializing serious issues and offending religious sentiments, the ad was pulled.
9. Kleenex’s “Baby Ogre” Ad
Kleenex on Wikimedia Commons
Kleenex aired a commercial featuring a baby ogre, which was criticized for being disturbing and inappropriate. The ad was eventually banned due to public complaints about its unsettling content.
10. Airbnb’s “Is Mankind?” Campaign
DesignStudio on Wikimedia Commons
Airbnb’s “Is Mankind?” ad aimed to promote human connection but was banned in some markets for being too politically charged. Critics felt the ad was lecturing viewers about social issues, leading to its removal.
11. Phones 4U’s Ghost Child Ad
William Starkey on Wikimedia Commons
In 2011, Phones 4U released an ad featuring a ghost-like child, which became the most complained-about advertisement of the year. The ad was criticized for being too frightening and was subsequently banned.
12. Calvin Klein’s Controversial Campaigns
Peter Saville on Wikimedia Commons
Calvin Klein faced backlash for ads featuring young models in provocative poses, leading to accusations of promoting child exploitation. The company pulled the ads after public outcry and legal scrutiny.