These reports are case summaries of complaints which appeared to raise issues of substance in relation to the interpretation of the ITC Advertising Standards Code. Summary statistics of non-substantive complaints can be found in the full reports which are obtainable from the ITC.
THOMAS COOK
Complaint from: 29 viewers
Background
A commercial promoting Summer holidays with Thomas Cook, showed a young African-Caribbean man and woman meeting in a supermarket. He asked her how long it had been since they'd last met. As he did so he noticed that she was heavily pregnant. "About nine months" she replied. A worried look crossed the man's face, as the end line appeared stating: "It's time to leave the country".
The complainants believed that the advertisement was racist and contained a harmful racial stereotype of young black/African-Caribbean men as promiscuous and irresponsible.
Assessment
The ITC noted the concerns raised but judged that the advertisement did not exploit or encourage any established racial stereotype. It believed that viewers were likely to understand the commercial to be relying for its humour on a broad stereotype of young men in general as afraid of commitment. Whilst some viewers might find this stereotype objectionable it did not consider that its use in this instance was likely to be harmful or offensive to most men. It therefore did not agree that the advertisement was unsuitable for broadcast.
Conclusion
Complaints not upheld.
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