Barclays bee ad banned

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated:

 

BARCLAYS Bank has been rapped over a TV ad that showed a man suffering a reaction to a bee sting and eventually getting arrested.

The advert, which publicised the bank's bank accounts, has been banned by the Advertising Standards Agency after 293 viewers complained that it made light of a potentially dangerous situation.

Ninety three people said the Barclays advert caused them personal distress because they or their loved ones suffered allergies or anaphylaxis.

The advert shows a man's face swelling up after being stung in the mouth by a bee. He falls into a lake while trying to splash his face with water.

After emerging covered in weeds and mud the man staggers towards a nearby restaurant where his appearance scares diners.

He is then shot with a tranquilliser dart by police. A voice-over says: 'Statistically you're more likely to be arrested than change your bank account.'

After investigating the complaints the Advertising Standards Authority said it should not be shown again.

The industry watchdog said: 'We noted that many people face the reality that they might suffer a severe allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting and therefore, despite the farcical turn of events, the ad was offensive to them.'

Barclays apologised for any offence that the commercial caused. A spokesman said: 'The advert was intended to convey in a light-hearted manner that statistically you are more likely to be arrested abroad, following a bizarre turn of events rather than change your bank account. As a gesture of goodwill Barclays have made a donation to the Anaphylaxis Campaign.'

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