The ad contains the 1950s song ‘Mr Sandman’ with new lyrics including "You make it easy when the month feels too long" and "Mr Wonga, you’re number one". It is the latest in a string of bans for Wonga.
In July 2010, the ASA banned a Wonga TV ad, for being too light-hearted in tone to fully convey the serious nature of taking out a loan. In the following year one of the company’s TV ads was banned for being misleading.
The latest ad was challenged by the ASA for being "irresponsible, because it gave the impression that the process of taking a high interest loan was one that could be taken lightly".
The ad must not be broadcast again in its current form and the ASA has told Wonga to ensure its ads do not imply that payday loans can routinely be used to supplement an income.
A consultation on the FCA’s proposals for tougher regulation – including clear risk warnings on all ads – will close on 3 December, with the final guidance set for publication in February 2014.
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