Advertising, ad campaigns, ad agencies, and the people that make it happen

I don’t usually feature ads that never ran, because as I’ve said to people showing me their portfolio’s when looking for a job, if it didn’t run, it doesn’t count. Having said that, Ill break my own rule with this English ad for Virgin Mobile, because it was actually approved by the client, but the English press refused to run it… Shame really, I’ve seen far worse in my time that should never have seen the light of day.

The insert was in the form of a handwritten letter and stated "Dear I'm writing to inform you that I will be terminating my contract effective as of ... I will be transferring my business to Virgin Mobile, who will not charge me to pick up my messages. Nor will they sting me with peak call charges, or stitch me up for line rental every month to the tune of 25 BLEEDIN' QUID, whilst having the nerve to tell me I'm getting free calls! And, to top it off, because I'm joining Virgin Mobile in June, whatever airtime I use in my first month, they'll give me back free (in the real sense of the word) to use whenever! In fact, they're offering me pretty much everything that you're blimmin' well not!! So you can take your contract, and shove it where the phone don't ring!!! NAFF OFF!!! Yours vengefully,... (A former customer of yours who's seen red)."