EPISODE 119: Should SUV Ads Be Banned?
Added 2024-02-06 11:00:07 +0000 UTCGreetings, Patreoners!
Did you ever see a car advertisement that you thought was so ridiculously irresponsible it should be banned? Well, the people at Adfree Cities, an advocacy group based in the United Kingdom, did, and they decided to do something about it. They went up against Toyota over an ad for the Toyota Hilux SUV that shows drivers ripping through sensitive natural areas and cities—and they won, getting the ad taken off the airwaves and the streets. We talked with two members of the organization, Veronica Wignall and James Ward, about how they’re tackling the auto industry’s most egregious marketing campaigns, as well as their larger mission to create “happier, healthier cities free from the pressures of corporate outdoor advertising.”
It's inspiring! Take a listen and find out how they did it—and what they have planned for the future.
—Sarah

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This episode is produced with support from Cleverhood. Listen to the episode for the latest Cleverhood discount code.
LINKS:
Check out Adfree Cities and their partner organization, Badvertising.
See the Toyota Hilux ad that UK regulators deemed “had not been prepared with a sense of responsibility to society.”
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This episode was produced by Sarah Goodyear. It was edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
Comments
April 8 Update (NYT op-ed): Tl;dr: If rich guys can’t use the deafening roar of an engine to compensate for penile inadequacy, then they don’t want your stupid electric cars. Sometimes, to Make an Electric Car Better, You’ve Got to Make It a Little Worse https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/opinion/electric-car-ev-tesla.html?unlocked_article_code=1.i00.tZUG.etp036g9JQVd&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&ugrp=c
John Gear
2024-04-08 16:15:19 +0000 UTCGood for them, Veronica, James, and their organization. I get sick to my stomach at the totally irresponsible car advertising in the USA showing reckless behavior and total environmental insensitivity. Thanks for sharing this with us, Sarah.
Gary Harty
2024-02-06 19:07:37 +0000 UTC