Want longer lasting censored? AMI’s new billboard
September 14, 2008 – 8:24 pm
AMI's new billboard. Teaching kids how stupid censorship is?
Advanced Medical Institute has begun rolling out their new billboards which will read ‘Want Longer Lasting Censored?‘
AMI CEO Jack Vaisman had this to say about the change:
‘We have to comply with the Advertising Standards Bureau regulations and we decided that we would change the message and we appeal to the public through our interviews and asked if anyone could come up with a better substitute for the word ‘sex’. Someone suggested “censored” and the idea stuck. Stark black and white lettering now sits over the old billboard’s red and yellow colour palette.‘
But one parent in Stanwell Park south of Sydney couldn’t wait. Steve took it upon himself to alter one of the billboards in his area, changing sex to sox. He told the Herald:
‘It wasn’t done for notoriety and nor are we wowsers, we just got sick ‘n’ tired of our kids having to be subjected to ‘sexual inadequacy’ and ‘limp-penis’ adverts everyday when going past on their school bus.’
If kids weren’t confused before, they will be now. Longer Lasting Sox. Heavens.
No one will forget that the word behind that giant censored is ‘sex’. It isn’t offensive and it’s not naughty (even in the context of the advertisement), yet it’s censored. Maybe those parents who claimed not to support censorship yet rallied behind the billboard removal will be more comfortable explaining what censored means to their children instead of sex.
Missed the AMI controversy? Read my original post about the ASB decision and what’s wrong with being offended?
10 Responses to “Want longer lasting censored? AMI’s new billboard”
That’s a stroke of genius!
By Oscar Blyth on Sep 14, 2008
That’s a strangely satisfying replacement, but it’s still ridiculous that it’s been censored in the first place.
We’ve set a precedent here, and it’s ridiculous. How is one to advertise a product like that, now you can’t use the word “sex”?
By Ash on Sep 14, 2008
If thats not making the most out of a bad situation i don’t know what is! Nice work.
The only thing it needs is a little caption at the bottom explaing things. CENSORED…. by your nanny state government, or some such.
Hell if i have to put up with censcorship i want it clearly labled and labled very intrusively Perhaps then people will start to realise how much our freedom of speech is being eroded and do something about it.
By Adam on Sep 15, 2008
Adam is spot on. Whenever anything is censored let the public know who is doing the censoring.
People like HJ can stir the pot but ultimately Govt has to do it.
Good to see AMI aren’t prepared to kowtow to censorship without letting people know what’s happening.
By Terrence Valter on Sep 15, 2008
Good on them for doing this. I still believe more Aussies would be offended by the censorship than the word “sex”, and this will draw attention to it.
Sadly much of the history of censorship is about the squeaky wheels getting the grease. The prudes will always be louder and more visible than the unconcerned majority. The reasons given by the ASB in this case are very worrying. (Someone should start a blog about saving-the-children hysteria…)
By Colin on Sep 15, 2008
Hey guys, cheers for commenting.
It is a satisfying replacement isn’t it. It’s partly a public awareness campaign for censorship. — 1000 billboards Australia wide I think AMI said.
I’m sure there will still be people offended. They’ll be the types who start to imagine even worse things than ‘sex’ written behind it. Their filthy minds won’t let up
- Mike
By Mike on Sep 15, 2008
This is ridiculous. It’s not like it’s the most insidious billboard advertisement out there. Most of the other billboards with scantily clad women and men are obviously using sex to sell some other product anyway. It’s not like anyone won’t know that it’s meant to say “SEX” behind the “CENSORED” label.
By Andrew on Oct 6, 2008
Could the advertisers at least put the ad on a bit later than during lunch time… children are around . most of us know whats available for” lasting longer sex? a new virile man….. perhaps ?
By niki on Dec 18, 2008
There is no scientific basis of the stupid company.
also there was one stage where you would drive down princess highway and see 8 of the same things.
They’re just annoying and they also make up all the advertising on the radio.. its like over kill we all get it.
also theres a massive one on broad way outside of UTS and UNSW, as if men wern’t paranoid about it enough. theres a million billboards out there scare tacting everybody about something thats actually quite a small issue.
its soo annoying!!!!!
“he can’t get it up so i’m breaking up with him??”wtf??
By Mr.e on May 25, 2009