The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld complaints made about a Phones 4U press advertisement. Jesus Christ was depicted in the ad, pointing a finger with one hand and displaying a thumbs-up sign with the other. A headline referred to ‘Miraculous deals’.
Phones 4U said it had intended the ad to be “a light-hearted, positive and contemporary image of Christianity relevant to the Easter weekend”. However, it later withdrew the ad when it realised it was causing offence.
The ASA said it appreciated that Phones 4 U had not intended to cause any offence but considered that the image and its timing gave the impression that the ads were mocking Christian beliefs. Phones 4U has said it does not intend to run any similar advertisements.
[ASA adjudication]