Crown Paints advert triggers complaints of misogyny and sexism

What was meant to be a lighthearted TV advert for paint has turn into mired in a misogyny and sexism row with 215 complaints made to the promoting watchdog.

The Crown Paints advert tells the story of Hannah and Dave who met at an unlawful rave 4 years in the past, have settled down and predict a child. It options them portray the spare room with a refrain of two dozen imaginary singers on their paint curler telling the couple’s story.

Dave needed a child and Hannah didn’t however then “at some point out the blue” she did, throwing herself at Dave. The track continues: “Now the infant’s coming and so they don’t know what it’s. Hannah’s hoping for a woman, Dave’s simply hoping that it’s his.”

The social media backlash started virtually instantly with one Twitter person calling it an “completely disgraceful advert casting Hannah as a girl who sleeps round”.

Responding, Crown Paints stated: “We’re sorry if you happen to had been upset by the comment on this advert – we had been merely making an attempt to inform the story of one in every of life’s most particular moments in a lighthearted manner.”

Others known as it “misogynistic”, an instance of “on a regular basis sexism”, “in extraordinarily poor style”, and requested “are we nonetheless residing within the Nineteen Seventies?”

One Twitter person stated: “Severely unhealthy advert. Girls who don’t need youngsters are continually advised they are going to change their minds. This advert simply performs to that false narrative.”

Crown Paints responded stated it noticed Hannah as “an empowered feminine character, comfy in making her personal choices and accountable for if and when she alters her thoughts”.

The comic Jenny Eclair tweeted: “Hey Crown Paints get that offensive child advert off air. What had been you considering? What on earth possessed you?” She stated she discovered the advert “massively offensive”.

The Promoting Requirements Authority on Tuesday morning stated it had acquired 215 complaints in regards to the advert. A spokesperson added: “We’re at the moment assessing the complaints to find out if there’s a potential downside beneath our guidelines and, in that case, whether or not there are grounds for additional motion.

“The complaints are primarily centered on whether or not the content material within the advert is acceptable to be proven on TV.”

The ASA stated it was not investigating at this stage however reviewing complaints.

The advert is a part of a brand new collection from Crown Paints known as Life Tales. One other tells the story of Luke, 31, whose mum nonetheless sees him as her child bear, and a 3rd that tells the story of Jen, who meets Kate on a velocity date and eventually paints her flat – “goodbye relationship drought!”

Crown Paints, primarily based in Darwen, Lancashire, has apologised on to many individuals who complained in regards to the Hannah and Dave advert on social media.

In a press release, the corporate stated: “This advert is one in a collection that’s supposed to rejoice particular moments in life in a humorous manner.

“The characters of Hannah and Dave are proven to be in a contented relationship and making ready for his or her new arrival. There aren’t any unfavourable connotations supposed from any of the lyrics and while the advert has been broadly nicely acquired, we recognise that individuals have differing tastes in humour.

“We apologise if any of the strains have induced offence.”