Bookmaker Paddy Power, which has become well known for its controversial advertising campaigns in recent years, delivered one of its highest-profile gags yet on Wednesday ahead of the UK General Election, by parking a giant truck outside of Westminster emblazoned with 'You're Getting Sacked in the Morning.'
The message, which echoes a common football terrace chant aimed at managers under pressure in their jobs, was sent by Paddy Power as a "cheeky reminder" to the nation's elected MPs that many of them faced the prospect of being fired from parliament.
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It's the second time in a matter of weeks that Paddy Power has sparked controversy with its advertisements by making light of politics. Towards the end of April, the bookmaker intervened in a referendum on marriage equality in Ireland with a billboard advertising campaign which combined gay rights with militant republicanism.
The out of home advertisement featured two balaclava-clad males embracing and also carried the message 'Tiocfaidh Ár Lá,' which translates to mean 'our day will come' - a phrase largely associated with the IRA - as well as odds for a 'yes' and 'no' vote in the country's upcoming marriage referendum.
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The advertisement caused a stir - which was undoubtedly the overall intention of Paddy Power - with many taking to social media to condemn the ad. Spokesperson for Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association, Terry McFarlane, described the advert as "tasteless, irrelevant and unwise."
As one of the most recognisable brands in betting, Paddy Power has developed a reputation for its controversial advertising campaigns, coming under fire in 2013 for an ad featuring British football players wearing Middle Eastern robes which poked fun at foreign owners of clubs in the UK. The bookies had previously run an ad based around the Ryder Cup golf contest in 2012 featuring (now former) UKIP leader Nigel Farage, and also had an ad banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) which made an inappropriate remark regarding the Oscar Pistorious murder trial.
The message, which echoes a common football terrace chant aimed at managers under pressure in their jobs, was sent by Paddy Power as a "cheeky reminder" to the nation's elected MPs that many of them faced the prospect of being fired from parliament.
It's the second time in a matter of weeks that Paddy Power has sparked controversy with its advertisements by making light of politics. Towards the end of April, the bookmaker intervened in a referendum on marriage equality in Ireland with a billboard advertising campaign which combined gay rights with militant republicanism.
The out of home advertisement featured two balaclava-clad males embracing and also carried the message 'Tiocfaidh Ár Lá,' which translates to mean 'our day will come' - a phrase largely associated with the IRA - as well as odds for a 'yes' and 'no' vote in the country's upcoming marriage referendum.
The advertisement caused a stir - which was undoubtedly the overall intention of Paddy Power - with many taking to social media to condemn the ad. Spokesperson for Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association, Terry McFarlane, described the advert as "tasteless, irrelevant and unwise."
As one of the most recognisable brands in betting, Paddy Power has developed a reputation for its controversial advertising campaigns, coming under fire in 2013 for an ad featuring British football players wearing Middle Eastern robes which poked fun at foreign owners of clubs in the UK. The bookies had previously run an ad based around the Ryder Cup golf contest in 2012 featuring (now former) UKIP leader Nigel Farage, and also had an ad banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) which made an inappropriate remark regarding the Oscar Pistorious murder trial.