Conor McGregor Budweiser ad banned in Ireland

UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor recently appeared in an effective television commercial for Budweiser, but it has been banned by Irish State broadcaster RTE.

God forbid you should follow your dreams. However, marketing alcohol codes prohibit the inclusion of or reference to any “heroes of the young.” As Conor McGregor has young fans, that apparently disqualifies him from appearing in an ad. It also disqualifies every figure in sports and entertainment since Micheál Mac Liammóir?. Yup, no one has heard of Micheál Mac Liammóir.

“RTE Television received finished commercials for Copy Clearance for Budweiser featuring Conor McGregor,” said Paul Mulligan, Head of Operations, RTE Commercial Television, in a statement. to the Irish Mirror.

“RTE’s Clearance Committee, who are responsible for pre-vetting all commercials planned for broadcast on our services, responded that they had concerns whether the copy was compliant with the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) Code.

“We requested that the copy be submitted to the ASAI for a view. We had hoped we would be informed of any feedback the client may have received from the ASAI, the owner of the Code, which would confirm or allay our concerns as to whether the advertising running on a number of Television channels in Ireland breaches the Code.”

I”In the absence of that RTE, as a compliant media, has sought a view from the ASAI. That view has now been given that the advertising breaches section 9.7 of the ASAI Code.

“This complies with RTE’s initial view that the advertisement should not be broadcast and believes it took the correct and prudent action in not approving the commercials for broadcast on its Television services.”

The ASAI said it had received no complaints about the ad, demonstrating the people are smart, and quasi government boards not so much.

Budweiser Ireland said it was proud to have McGregor as a brand ambassador, and that the ad had been vetted and approved by Copy Clear, an independent pre-vetting service.

“Conor is an aspirational figure for people who wish to follow their dreams and ambitions,” said Bud Ireland. “Based on independent statistics research, Conor McGregor has an overwhelming adult appeal.”

McGregor’s next fight is a rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 200 on July 9.

Don’t play this ad if there are any children within hearing.

Raidió Teilifís Éireann or Radio (and) Television of Ireland, abbreviated as RTÉ, is a semi-state company and the national public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. RTÉ is a statutory body, run by a board appointed by the Government of Ireland. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on 31 December 1961, making it one of the oldest continuously operating public service broadcasters in the world. ?

Source: wiki