First viral advert banned by the ASA: Blood on the carpet

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned its first internet viral ad. The watchdog said the images in the advert for Midway Games' Mortal Kombat campaign titled Blood on the Carpet were offensive and irresponsible.

The advert's creators said was meant to be humorous, but the ASA said it had had one complaint and that the advert was irresponsible, since it glorified violence and some scenes could be emulated.

The ASA said the ad showing a man's heart being ripped out and another being decapitated caused distress and serious offence.

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Anonymous Adgrunt's picture
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AnonymousCoward's picture

How do you ban a viral ad?

caffeinegoddess's picture

I have *no* idea!! It's pretty funny.

AnonymousCoward's picture

Just who do they think they are? Well we've responded by highlighting the ad again just to make sure more people see it. As part of the original report and the site the ad was featured on we think this is the thin end of the wedge and needs to be nipped in the bud.
Chris
TTR2
http://www.ttr2.com

kamari's picture

That has to be the dumbest ban ever.