Crown Paints have found itself at the centre of backlash following its new television ad, which fuelled 215 complaints to the advertising watchdog.
In what was meant to be a light-hearted ad by the paint manufacturer has now turned into a misogyny and sexism row after they told the fictional story of Hannah and Dave, who met at an illegal rave years ago.
Their story is told by a chorus of singers who explained that Dave asked Hannah if they should try for a baby when they moved in together, and she responded: “No, never”.
She later changed her mind, with the song continuing: “Hannah’s hoping for a girl, Dave’s just hoping that it’s his. They’re happy that their spare room’s no longer grey because there’s a baby on the way.”
The “massively offensive” and “sexist” advertisement did not go down too well with viewers, as many criticised the questioning of Hannah’s fidelity while others were appalled that it “played to the false narrative” that women would eventually change their minds when it came to not wanting children.
In a now-deleted Twitter post, one person commented that the ad was “absolutely disgraceful advert casting Hannah as a woman who sleeps around”.
Crown Paints responded: “We’re sorry if you were upset by the remark in this advert – we were simply trying to tell the story of one of life’s most special moments in a light-hearted way.”
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Replying to another comment about the ad being “misogynistic”, Crown Paints said: “We’re a big fan of strong female characters, and we believe Hannah is one of these. She is comfortable in making her own decisions about parenthood & is happy to take the lead when it comes to if and when she changes her mind on the matter.”
