Phone Ad Scares Living Daylights Out of British

Spot with dead girl faces possible ban

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

Boo! This Phones 4U commercial from the U.K., featuring a ghostly little girl who haunts a woman in a deserted parking garage, is scary. We're talking road-safety PSA stuff here—solid chills. Britain's Ad Standards Authority has received close to 200 complaints about the spot from folks who say it upset them or their kids. The ad could face an ASA ban, but the client—famous for generating buzz with its controversial ads, and no doubt lapping up this mini-media frenzy—gets a thumbs-up from a higher authority.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in