Thankyou ASA... Branson or Virgin Media?

Branson is a redhead, and redheads should be the only peoples able to take the 'Mick' out of one another and it remain politically correct, Right?

Wrong. Branson's company 'Virgin' is huge and is not associated with redhair at all. For a mainstream media company like Virgin Media to release an ad like this was bound to cause a stir. The advertisement in question "How do you spot a ginger in the dark?" is a likely publicity stunt in bad taste by a mainstream media company unassociated with red hair.

Richard Branson is a redhead and his success as is the success of many redheads is a testament to the idea that there is likely to be no 'glass ceiling' for a redhead. Redheads are in general and world wide an economically privileged minority but this doesn't mean we are free from or should be open to being freely discriminated against or subjected to wrongful prejudice.

This idea of a lack of a 'glass ceiling' for redheads does add to the view that its fine to make prejudicial comments and discriminate against redheads. This abhorred view and perception is legitimised and reinforced by various forms of media like the advert released by 'Virgin Media'. The advert has offended everyday redhead's, complaints were made and acted upon. Rightfully so. Not all redheads are wealthy media giants (from humble beginnings or not), English Princes or looking to find any kind of ceiling. Legal cases fighting against assaults targeting redheads and employment discrimination of redheads are a reality. These types of discrimination are more likely to become frequent if adverts like this are not stopped by responsible organisations like the 'Advertising Standards Authority'.

According to the reports it is the FIRST TIME in 47 years the ASA have stepped up for the redhead minority. Thank you ASA.

Virgin commented that the show 'Dating In The Dark' is meant to challenge "...people's perceptions of attractiveness". I look forward to seeing the show if that's the case... publicity stunt or no publicity stunt?

Below are some news reports found on the Virgin Media advert banned by the ASA:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/16/virgin-media-offensive-ginger-people

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/advertising/bransons-antiginger-ad-is-banned-by-watchdog-1841978.html

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/redheads-fight-beauty-bias-20091217-kzh7.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/16/britain-bans-anti-redhead_n_394494.html

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/comments/0,22638,26494363-5006347,00.html


NOTE
I have to note that this blogg 'gingerism.com' does support an animated character (only associated with red hair) named 'Dogg' who is 'all' in bad taste (in my opinion). Dogg claims to send the message that "discrimination is wrong".

I feel I have to make a comment not for Dogg, but in defense of gingerism.com. Dogg is in the world of new media... Dogg, is hopefully asking some questions about what he himself is writing instead of asking questions of mainstream media companies like 'Virgin' who should be held accountable for this kind of thing in the world of licensed and regulated media such as the big bucks mainstream broadcast media. That said... Be responsible Dogg.

We (redheads) need the support of organisations like the ASA. Thanks again.