Marianne Calnan
Jul 29, 2024

The Guardian apologises over ‘watch porn’ ad placed next to child abuse article

The newspaper called the placement of the print ad ‘an oversight’ on its part.

Christopher Ward: Ad 'intended as light-hearted humour.'
Christopher Ward: Ad 'intended as light-hearted humour.'

The Guardian placed an ad for Christopher Ward watches that carried the words “Watch porn” next to an article featuring a man convicted of viewing images of child abuse. 

The newspaper called the placement “an oversight” and apologised for “any offence caused." It said the ad was “insensitively juxtaposed” and “inappropriate."

The print ad entitled “Watch porn” was in The Guardian’s Saturday magazine on 27 July. It was published next to an article with the headline "The knock", which shared viewpoints from the wife of a convicted sex offender and her husband. 

Christopher Ward told Campaign its media account has been run by an independent, Bath-based agency Mostly Media for about a decade, but added it does not “attribute any blame towards them for this placement."

The Guardian, meanwhile, also shared a response to the placement of the ad under its corrections and clarifications section. It stated: “In [the] pre-printed Saturday magazine, an article has been insensitively juxtaposed with an advertisement from the watch company Christopher Ward. This placement was an oversight by The Guardian rather than anything intentional by the advertiser.

“We have processes in place to prevent such inappropriate placing but, on this occasion, they were insufficient and will be reviewed. We apologise for any offence caused.”

Mike France, chief executive and co-founder of Christopher Ward, said: “Our ‘Watch porn’ ad, which we’ve been running for a year, is intended as light-hearted humour to promote the desirability of our watch. The issue here is the context, and we apologise that this particular placement may have caused offence.”

 

 

Source:
Campaign UK

Related Articles

Just Published

6 hours ago

Yannick Bolloré: ‘AI is a powerful creative partner’

Ahead of Cannes Lions, the chief executives of the 'big six' holding companies and senior leaders give their views on a range of topics relating to creativity and business. Today, it’s the turn of Havas' chief executive and chairman, Yannick Bolloré.

9 hours ago

Hilton readies ‘connected story’ in latest Asia ...

Amid Hilton's ambitious growth plans and a fresh campaign with Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, Campaign sits down with Hilton’s VP of marketing and loyalty to chat about the challenges of marketing a myriad of hotel brands to Asia's diverse audiences.

9 hours ago

2025 Cannes Contenders: Angie Tijam-Tohid's top bets

Havas Ortega Group's executive creative director handpicks work with meaningful social impact that could win a Lion next week at Cannes.