BANNED! – Speedy Cash Christmas Ad

Speedy Cash’s advertisement featuring Santa and treats for children has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for being socially irresponsible.

The leaflet for the payday loan company offered free photos and a promise that ‘every child gets a Christmas treat‘ in an in-store event designed to attract families

The promotion caught the attention of MoneySavingExpert.com, who complained that the ad was irresponsible because it trivialised the payday loan service and targeted families with children.

Speedy Cash, which also offers services including cash for gold and cheque cashing, said that their leaflet ‘in no way’ sanctioned the use of their products which also included non-credit facilities but was intended to celebrate a happy time of year.

The ASA said “We understood that there was no age restriction on who could enter shops that offered services including payday loans and that the nature of the event meant that children would be accompanied by their parent or guardian.”

“However, we concluded that marketing an event aimed at children which took place in a shop that offered services including payday loans was socially irresponsible.” and ruled that the ad must not appear again in its current form adding “We told Speedy Cash not to target ads for in-store events at families with children.”

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