No cover-up needed for Eliza Rose Watson OnlyFans ad

onlyfans watsonA suggestive outdoor campaign promoting the OnlyFans account of model Eliza Rose Watson, seen sporting dishevelled hair and a bra top, has been cleared by the ad watchdog despite a flood of complaints that it was “offensive, harmful and irresponsible”.

The campaign, which ran in Harrow, Tottenham, Lambeth and Edgware in June and July, caused a stink from the off. According to the Harrow Times, one site was defaced almost immediately with the message “keep porn off our streets”; others branded the ads “ridiculous”.

The Advertising Standards Authority received a total of 30 complaints on two grounds. All the complainants challenged whether the ad was inappropriate for display in an untargeted medium where children could see it, while many also believed the ad was overly sexualised and objectified women, and challenged whether the ad was offensive, harmful and irresponsible.

In response to the ASA investigation, Watson said the ad adhered to advertising guidelines and reflected leading trends, adding that she tailored it to “avoid offensiveness to mature viewers and intrigue to the younger generation”.

Amplify Outdoor, the owner of the poster sites, said none of the ads were displayed within 100 metres of a school, with the closest being 450 metres from the nearest school.

The ASA said that although Watson’s clothing was revealing, her pose was “no more than mildly sexual”.

Its ruling stated: “While we acknowledged that the image of Ms Watson and reference to OnlyFans might be distasteful to some, we considered that because the ad was not overtly sexual and did not objectify women, we therefore concluded it was unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence.

“The ad was shown on several posters throughout London, which was an untargeted medium, and was therefore likely to be seen by a large number of people, including children.

“However, because we considered the ad was not overtly sexual and did not objectify women, we therefore concluded the ad was unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence and had not been placed irresponsibly.”

The ASA ruled no further action was necessary.

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