Sexy Hunky Dorys ads aren’t hunky dory

We all know the sexy GAA themed Hunky Dorys ads that have caused a bit of a stir as of late. Well now, they've finally been given the axe.

The big wigs in the Advertising Standard Authority of Ireland (ASAI) ruled that the Hunky Dory GAA themed ads that feature stunning models wearing very little, are offensive. This comes just as it was announced that Lucy Pinder’s sexy Lynx ad will make it on to Irish TV.

In what can only be described as a bit of a harsh move, the ASAI ordered Hunky Dory’s bosses not to run the ads again. Publishers were also warned not to print the images of the scantly clad babes as GAA players.

According to reports in this mornings Star, 80 complaints were lodged against the campaign, which is after the record 300 made last year for a similar Hunky Dory ad featuring a rugby themed campaign.

According to chiefs in the ASAI, both men and women complained that the campaign was offensive, exploitative, tasteless, degrading and sexist towards women and that the ads brought advertising into dispute.

Naturally, the GAA distanced themselves from the ads. But that was only after they got their year supply of crisps and calendars, we assume.

Frank Goodman of the ASAI had this to say: “The advertisers seem to have deliberately flouted the code with the intention of generating complaints, PR and subsequent notoriety.”

Well, in that case, didn’t it work a treat for them?

Raymond Coyle, founder of Largo Foods (who owns Hunky Dorys) said that his firm was not a member of the self-regulatory ASAI, so he would have no problem running that style of campaign again if it was commercially viable.