A recent advertising campaign from Marmite has sparked a national debate for its controversy, ironically splitting the public’s opinion, with viewers either loving or hating it.
The ad, aired for the first time on Monday during Coronation Street, led to the Advertising Standards Authority receiving 250 complaints in 24 hours, and to date has received over 400 complaints.
For those of you who are yet to see the advert (below) it features spoof rescue team who enter a selection of homes to ‘rescue neglected jars’. The jars of Marmite are then put into a cage and sent to the ‘Marmite Rehoming Centre’ where a family is seen rescuing a jar featuring the line ‘Love It. Hate It. Just Don’t Forget It.’.
The complaints argued that the ad was ‘offensive’ and scrutinised the work of animal welfare agencies. Due to these complaints, Marmite has responded by donating £18,000 to the RSPCA.
Despite the negative press surrounding the products’ newest campaign, we actually love the latest Marmite advert. It is extremely clever, is definitely on brand, and plays on the fact that most of our jars are hidden at the back of our cupboards. We think that the ad has been spread out of proportion; after all, their ethos is you either love it or hate it!