Poundland has come under fire from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) following a sexualised Twitter campaign involving toy elves.
According to The Drum, the ASA received over 80 complaints about the images, which depict the elves in various sexualised poses including one “teabagging” another, one sat naked on a bauble, and another drawing phallic imagery.
Joker, joker, I really want to poker pic.twitter.com/wNIZcrBWZF
— Poundland (@Poundland) December 20, 2017
First come, first served pic.twitter.com/JstSqtWOTh
— Poundland (@Poundland) December 19, 2017
The advertising watchdog has now launched an investigation into the retailer following numerous accusations that the adverts were unsuitable for a medium where children could see them freely.
Tea brand Twinings, which was included in Poundland’s advert, sought to distance itself by issuing a statement that said: “We are aware of an image that is circulating that misuses our product.
“We had no involvement in this and it is obviously not reflective of our brand values.”
That's one very prickly Christmas tree pic.twitter.com/5FyYrlAzss
— Poundland (@Poundland) December 18, 2017
That’s one way to scratch that itch. That’s not Santa’s toothbrush is it?! pic.twitter.com/bzgX3LFEDA
— Poundland (@Poundland) December 13, 2017
Poundland has become the centre of much speculation in recent weeks as an accounting scandal involving its parent company Steinhoff continues to grow.
It is unclear whether Poundland would be sold off in order to survive.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
