Oasis 'cactus kid' ad hit by complaints over teenage pregnancy

by Nikki Sandison, Brand Republic 11-Jul-08, 09:35

LONDON - The Oasis 'cactus kid' campaign, featuring a young woman and her human cactus hybrid boyfriend, has sparked 11 complaints from people who claim that it glamorises teenage pregnancy.

The "Run, cactus kid, run" campaign, created by Mother, comprises three humorous 30-second TV spots shot in the style of the film 'True Romance'. It continues the strapline "for people who don't like water".

One spot shows the pair, who only drink Oasis and don't like water, telling the girl's mother that she is pregnant.

The mother reacts badly, calling cactus kid a "freak" and the couple drive away together.

A fourth spot will appear online with alternative endings so that users can vote on how the story ends.

The Advertising Standards Authority has received 11 complaints so far about the ad from people who objected that it is offensive because it normalises or glamorises teenage pregnancy and that it is also irresponsible for suggesting people should drink Oasis instead of water.

Some people also questioned whether the girl is a minor and whether the ad has been scheduled appropriately.

The ASA is considering whether to investigate the complaints and expects to make a decision next week.

Comments

Stefanie Forbes - 11/07/2008

A few weeks ago the Heinz Deli Mayo ad got banned and now some too opinionated losers are complaining about the Oasis ad. I find it so refreshing (no pun intended) to see an ad that is different from some of the crap tv spots out there at the moment, but yet people manage to depict some kind of unintended underlying message that may cause offence to their neighbour’s budgie’s offspring…. - or some other small fraction of the population.

ronnie blogsville - 11/07/2008

The ASA won't ban it, as they didn't ban the Heinz ad. Let's just hope this client has more minerals.

Stephen Molloy - 06/10/2008

There was more to that campaign <li><a title="Cactus Kid" href="http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2008/run-cactus-kid-run-online/">Cactus Kid</a></li>