It’s 2015 and advertising is governed by a code of practice.
Once upon a time though, things were a little more laissez-fair and a lot more racist, sexist and absurdly unsafe.
Take this 1960s coffee ad, for example, in which “Papa Eddie” solves a coffee-related crime.
Were you trying to kill him, woman?
Imagine an ad objectifying a woman like that these days? It just wouldn’t fly (*cough*).
To be fair, that particular campaign did get banned in the UK, despite the company behind it claiming it was ‘tongue-in-cheek.’
And at the very least, the medical advice on offer through advertisement has improved, I mean, Santa Clause isn’t trying to sell you cigarettes any more…
And I challenge you to find a health professional who would advocate giving your infant cocaine to cure their toothache.
I’d wager this anti-obesity ad would fit right in on any Facebook side bar though.
Here are some of our other faves: