Virgin media in the UK was found to be prejudiced towards Redheads with their recent ad for “Dating in the Dark”. The Advertising Standards Authority said that there was an implied message that those with red hair (gingers) were unattractive and was likley to cause a serious offense. This comes as no surprise considering the rash of attacks – which received three complaints – said it implied those with ginger hair were unattractive and was likely to cause “serious offenseâ€. This comes as no surprise considering the rash of ginger related violence over the past weeks and months across Europe and the United States.
The ad reads “How do you spot a Ginger in the Dark?“… Looks or personality, who wins?” The ASA was inundated with redheads who were angry that the commercial had been allowed to air and demanded its prompt removal.
Virgin unsuccessfully argued that the was nothing offensive about the commercial but instead “challenged people’s perceptions of attractiveness”. The Advertising Standards Authority ordered the network to remove the offensive material