Patrick Cox rapped for ignoring watchdog over bare-buttock ad

by Jennifer Whitehead Brand Republic 26-Oct-05, 08:30

LONDON - Shoe designer Patrick Cox has been rapped by the advertising watchdog for failing to respond to complaints about an ad showing a topless woman biting the leg of a man whose bare buttocks could be seen.

The ad appeared in Harpers & Queen and Vogue magazines, promoting Patrick Cox shoes. Three members of the public complained about the execution, saying that it was offensive because it featured gratuitous nudity and it was unsuitable to be seen by children.

The Advertising Standards Authority upheld the complaints, but not because it considered the ad was likely to cause widespread offence.

It said it considered Patrick Cox to be in breach of the code. In its ruling, it said: "We were concerned by Patrick Cox's lack of response, which we considered to be a breach of the code; we reminded it of its responsibility to respond to our enquiries and told it to do so promptly in future."

Vogue had responded to the ASA by saying it did not think the ad would offend its readers, who were familiar with provocative and sexual images in such magazines.

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