Mann Island Developers really do take the biscuit here. They destroy the world heritage site, turning it into blight and then make out as if it is all supported by Unesco. It is illegal to use a logo of a United Nations organisation without permission. This tacky advert with the WHS ringed, only serving to show how much they have got away with was in the Sunday Times last week. I have today written to Unesco complaining of the fact that the development "appears" to be supported by them. If anyone wants to join in writing to Unesco, please feel free.
Francesco Bandarin
Director
UNESCO
Paris
7.12.10
Dear Sir,
This is a picture of an advert that has appeared in the Sunday Times advertising the Mann Island world heritage site.
Would you please advise me, on the the use of the Unesco logo.
1. Are the developers entitled to use the Unesco logo to make it appear that Unesco sanction the development.
Wayne Colquhoun
LPT
copy to Mechtild Rossler
Posts
I'm trying to compose myself before adding my comment, but it's difficult. The nerve and ignorance of these developers is astonishing. I still have a few contacts within News International and will enquire whether the Sunday Times and Mann Island developers have broken any advertising codes of conduct.
ReplyDeleteIts like a dodgy plumber using the guild of master craftsman logo on his van and then blows up the house he is fitting.
ReplyDeleteExactly Wayne :-)
ReplyDeleteJust sent my complaint off to the Advertising Standards Authority at http://www.asa.org.uk/Complaints/How-to-complain/Online-Form.aspx
Their reply
ReplyDelete-------
Dear Mr Wood,
Thank you for your recent complaint about Countryside Properties (Northern) Ltd, submitted via the ASA website.
We’ve carefully considered the points that you have raised, but I must inform you that we do not think there is likely to have been a breach of the CAP Code on this occasion. I’ll try to explain why we’ve come to this conclusion in a little more detail.
I should start by saying that the ASA can only consider intervention when there is convincing evidence to suggest that our Codes are likely to have been breached; for example, when an ad is likely to cause widespread or serious offence, poses a significant risk of causing harm, or is likely to materially mislead consumers about the product or service that is being advertised.
After reviewing the ad in question, we note that the body copy states: “Standing proudly alongside the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building on the city’s UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime City”.
Whilst I understand that you object to the ad, we do not think that it is likely to mislead people into thinking that UNESCO endorses or approves of the development itself. We think that the ad makes sufficiently clear that the development is located on the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime City, and we’ve no reason to believe that the advertiser did not seek the appropriate permission to use the logo. Furthermore, I can confirm that we’ve not been contacted by UNESCO themselves on this point, which we would expect to if their logo was appearing without permission.
Although we appreciate your concerns, we consider that the ad is unlikely to mislead consumers to their detriment for the reasons that you have suggested and do not think there are grounds for further investigation. I realise that this decision may disappoint you, but I’d like to thank you for going to the trouble of contacting us with your concerns nonetheless.
Our website, www.asa.org.uk, contains more information about the work that we do, including the results of our recent investigations.
Yours sincerely
Chris Bartholomew | Complaints Executive
Direct line 020 7492 2178 | E-mail chrisb@asa.org.uk
Advertising Standards Authority
Mid City Place 71 High Holborn London WC1V6QT
Telephone 020 7492 2222 www.asa.org.uk
Keeping advertising standards high