May 11 (UPI) -- A dozen complaints prompted Britain's Advertising Standards Authority to ban an Adidas ad campaign -- intended to promote diversity of its sports bra range -- for objectification of women. The ASA reported receiving complaints that the Twitter and poster advertisements objectified and sexualized women by reducing them to body parts. Advertisement The campaign in question featured dozens of sets of breasts to draw attention to Adidas's range of diverse sports bra options. Complainants expressed concerns that children could see the ads. In its defense, Adidas said that none of the ads were displayed on billboards or near religious institutions or schools. The sportswear company said, according to ASA, that the ads weren't gratuitous and were meant to reflect and celebrate various shapes and sizes while highlighting diversity and the importance of tailored support bras. None of the models' identities were shown in the ads, as images were cropped for the women's protection. The ASA concluded that the ads breached Committee of Advertising Practice codes of harm and offense and social responsibility. "The ads must not appear again in the forms complained of," the ASA said via a statement on their website. "We told Adidas U.K. Ltd to ensure their ads did not cause offense and were targeted responsibly." Advertisement Read More White House announces plan to improve infrastructure permitting Lisa Cook wins Senate approval as first Black woman on Fed Board of Governors By Ashley Williams House approves new aid package for Ukraine worth nearly $40 billion By Darryl Coote Topics Business Latest Headlines World News // 4 hours ago Biden says Saudi Arabia visit possible, despite calling the nation a pariah June 3 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden said Friday that there's a possibility that he could visit Saudi Arabia during a Middle East trip. But responding to reporters, he said he would not change his views on human rights. World News // 5 hours ago Queen Elizabeth II skips Friday Jubilee service; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear June 3 (UPI) -- The absence of Queen Elizabeth II and the presence of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle highlighted Friday's religious services of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral during the Platinum Jubilee. World News // 6 hours ago Hong Kong police warn against unauthorized gatherings ahead of Tiananmen anniversary June 3 (UPI) -- Hong Kong police appear ready to enforce a ban on gatherings marking the Saturday anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising and violent Chinese government suppression of that protest. World News // 7 hours ago Chinese officials order renewed COVID-19 lockdown for some in Shanghai June 3 (UPI) -- Just one day after celebrating their release from a COVID-19 lockdown that lasted two months, some of Shanghai's 26 million residents were ordered to quarantine again. World News // 11 hours ago Russia shows only limited success on 100th day of war with Ukraine June 3 (UPI) -- Russia's invasion of Ukraine reached its 100th day on Friday, with Moscow tightening its grip on the Donbas region as Ukrainian forces slow -- and in some areas even stall -- Kremlin advances. World News // 12 hours ago Kim Jong Un congratulates Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee SEOUL, June 3 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth II, congratulating the British monarch on the 70th anniversary of her ascension to the throne amid a four-day Platinum Jubilee celebration. World News // 13 hours ago U.S. returns more land from former military base to South Korea SEOUL, June 3 (UPI) -- The United States transferred land from its former military headquarters in Seoul to South Korea, officials said Friday, boosting long-standing plans to turn the garrison into a public park. World News // 19 hours ago Yemen's warring sides renew 2-month truce June 2 (UPI) -- Yemen's warring Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the nation's internationally recognized government have agreed to renew the current truce for another two months, the United Nations said Thursday. World News // 1 day ago Queen Elizabeth experiencing 'some discomfort,' to skip church event June 2 (UPI) -- Queen Elizabeth II will not attend a thanksgiving service on Friday night after experiencing "some discomfort" following a Platinum Jubilee celebration on Thursday. World News // 1 day ago White House hits more elites close to Putin in new round of sanctions June 2 (UPI) -- The White House Thursday announced a new round of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Targets include oligarchs and elites close to President Vladimir Putin.
May 11 (UPI) -- A dozen complaints prompted Britain's Advertising Standards Authority to ban an Adidas ad campaign -- intended to promote diversity of its sports bra range -- for objectification of women.
The ASA reported receiving complaints that the Twitter and poster advertisements objectified and sexualized women by reducing them to body parts. Advertisement
The campaign in question featured dozens of sets of breasts to draw attention to Adidas's range of diverse sports bra options. Complainants expressed concerns that children could see the ads.
In its defense, Adidas said that none of the ads were displayed on billboards or near religious institutions or schools.
The sportswear company said, according to ASA, that the ads weren't gratuitous and were meant to reflect and celebrate various shapes and sizes while highlighting diversity and the importance of tailored support bras.
None of the models' identities were shown in the ads, as images were cropped for the women's protection.
The ASA concluded that the ads breached Committee of Advertising Practice codes of harm and offense and social responsibility.
"The ads must not appear again in the forms complained of," the ASA said via a statement on their website. "We told Adidas U.K. Ltd to ensure their ads did not cause offense and were targeted responsibly." Advertisement