Iceland’s Christmas advert banned from TV

Iceland’s Christmas advert has been banned from TV after the watchdog found the promo to be too political for TV.

You won’t see our Christmas advert on TV this year, because it was banned. But we want to share Rang-tan’s story with you… 🎄 🐒
Will you help us share the story?https://t.co/P8H61t6lWu

— Iceland Foods ❄️ (@IcelandFoods) November 9, 2018

As part of its festive campaign, the discount supermarket struck a deal with Greenpeace to rebadge an animated short film featuring an orangutan and the destruction of its rainforest habitat at the hands of palm oil growers.

For clarity it's not the ASA who have banned the ad. Clearcast, the body responsible for vetting adverts in the UK decided that Rang-tan could not be aired, hence the ban.

— Iceland Foods ❄️ (@IcelandFoods) November 9, 2018

However, Clearcast, the body responsible for vetting ads before they are broadcast to the public, said that it was in breach of rules banning political advertising laid down by the 2003 Communications Act.

Iceland founder Malcolm Walker also commented: “We got permission to use it and take off the Greenpeace logo and use it as the Iceland Christmas ad. It would have blown the John Lewis ad out of the window. It was so emotional.”