It’s a pretty competitive world out there in the South African cellphone market so people have to be creative with their marketing, we get that. Cell C, however, has drawn some serious heat for their latest advert that shows a man’s leg being repeatedly humped by a puppy.

So far there have been over 100 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASASA). Here’s their spokesman Nompumelelo Mda quoted on eNCA:

[He said] most complainants say the video “is not suitable for children as the dog is shown to be performing an inappropriate act that is not suitable to be flighted during prime time, as this is family time.”

The executive creative director responsible for the advert, Stu Stobbs, had this to say:

“I think as South Africans, a lot of us are not too happy, because we’re getting ripped off, wherever we turn.”

“There are so many places where you’re feel [sic], you know, you’re just getting taken advantage of,” he said before punting the company paying for the production.

“But with Cell C, you’re getting great value. So, that’s what, in this ad we’re trying to show, in a fun, lighthearted way.”

Social media users were quick to criticise, including a few former rugby heavyweights:

As of yet the ad has yet to be withdrawn from our screens but if it is found to breach the ASASA’s code then it could be yanked in the not-too-distant future.

One could argue that we have bigger things to worry about in this country than a dog humping a man’s leg but I imagine the advert could lead to some awkward dinner time conversations.

[source:enca]