A FLORIST who didn't just say it with flowers on St Valentines Day drew complaints that its advertisements insulted women, according to the latest report of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland.
Promoting the giving of flowers on February 14th, the advertisement for Interflora ran the headline: "This Friday, remember that all women are made of the same thing. Putty." The ASAI upheld complaints that the advertisement was offensive and degrading to women.
In their defence, Interflora's UK based advertisers said their research showed the receipt of flowers had an "emotional impact" which was not fully understood by men, who were rarely the recipients of floral tributes.
They said the advertisement was couched in language which could be understood by men. In this context the image of putty was considered "inoffensive shorthand" for the emotional effect induced by flowers. The company apologised for any offence given.
The fares war between Aer Lingus and Ryanair has spilled into the latest report, with the ASAI upholding three out of four complaints by the State company about the advertising of Ryanair's new services to Paris and Brussels.
Ryanair was censured for implying that Aer Lingus had increased its fares to European destinations on February 21st, when this was merely the end of a special lower fare offer.
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