muppet: I saw these ads and though they were great. They're just a bit of humour. I really couldn't believe anyone would have been offended by them.

But they've pulled them due to complaints. New Zealand really still is in the dark ages if you ask me. I think people have a burning need to be offended by things.

Update: [Obligatory offtopic whinge about power prices]

hellonearthisman: I think powershop was pretty clever in showing the extreme contrast in there campaign, they are saying the power still comes from the moldy old system but has been repackage into something fresh and new.

jonherries:

I am seriously considering a powered heat transfer kit that takes the hot air from the lounge ceiling and pumps it into the bedrooms (they have oil heaters on timers).

mattwnz: NZ has one of the most liberal attitudes when it comes to advertising. I doubt many countries would have found them acceptable. NZ is multicultural, so think of those Iraqis who live in NZ, and may have lost family due to Saddam. They were right to pull them IMO. But they have furfuilled their purpose, as look at how much attention they have got, and people on here are even discussing their plans and pricing, they couldn't have paid for that.

webwat: I can't see how it could be offensive, although obviously nobody can stop others from being extra sensitive if they feel like complaining about something. The ads were a bit interesting, but certainly not funny. The did successfully make *some* people think about it enough to remember the message, since you have to think what the relevance is of something so obvious as a dictator being both powerful and nasty. Thinking helps you remember.

However, the ad still failed because too much of the viewer's attention gets focussed on the big guy instead of the actual advertiser, so a brief peek at the poster leaves you unable to recall what company is advertising. It also fails to get across any information that would stimulate me to find out who and what is being advertised. I'm paying too much for power now, and I still fail to see how another retailer will save me enough money to be worthwhile since I don't have heating costs.

turnin: so  ( devils advocate) and no offence to the poster ( of the topic) but is taking a photo of a commercially produced bus shelter ad and displaying it on a forum a breach of the copyright law.
I bet george Bush is up there next

richms: I bought an energy drink today with that dirty commie terrorist Che on it and SEIZE POWER in big letters on the can. Cant help but get it confused with the powershop ad's