JWT’s Oxo family ad tops press coverage during third quarter

By Francesca Fisher, Campaign, Friday, 15 October 1999 12:00AM

News of the Oxo family’s retirement grabbed more national press coverage than any other advertising story between July and September, according to Propeller Marketing’s quarterly ’Ads that make the news’ survey.

News of the Oxo family’s retirement grabbed more national press

coverage than any other advertising story between July and September,

according to Propeller Marketing’s quarterly ’Ads that make the news’

survey.

J. Walter Thompson’s ’last supper’ spot - which marked the end of the

Oxo family after 42 commercials in 16 years - ousted sex-themed

advertising from the top of the poll for the first time in many

months.

Two scantily clad women did, however, make equal second place. Kelly

Brook, the ex-Big Breakfast presenter, caused a stir with her ’big has

never been so beautiful’ spot for Triumph, while the ’new sexy and

sophisticated look’ ads for Bhs featuring the Hollywood star, Daryl

Hannah, received equal coverage in the national press.

Troubled Marks & Spencer’s ’back to basics’ campaign filled column

inches as editors tried to predict whether or not the work would be

enough to turn the chain’s fortunes around.

Two more outrageous women shared the number five spot. Cheltenham

Council’s campaign to encourage the young to vote caused controversy

when it picked a girl with multiple body piercings and extravagant hair

and make up as its spokesperson.

And Fi-Fi, the cyberpixie who promotes Sony PlayStation, also attracted

a lot of press comment.

Bravo’s Howard Stern posters that mirrored the US shock-jock’s

outrageous tone were also joint fifth, while BA’s spot with PJ O’Rourke

mocking the British attitude to success was eighth.

This article was first published on Campaign