Poster and other out of home

It goes without saying ads on posters and billboards and in other outdoor public spaces, should not mislead, harm or offend. But the targeting and placement of these kinds of ads are also particularly important.

The way in which ads are targeted can have a significant bearing on their acceptability under the ad rules. Targeting is especially important when considering matters of taste and decency because the likelihood of an ad causing offence is inextricably linked to the attitudes of the people who see it.

For example fashion ads featuring semi-nude models may be acceptable in women’s glossy magazines but they wouldn’t be appropriate on posters or billboards in public spaces where they could be viewed by children.

Advertisers should also be mindful that the unsuitable targeting of ads for certain products automatically breaks the ad rules. For example, no medium with more than 25% of its audience under 18 years of age should be used to advertise an alcoholic drink.

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Latest rulings

Warner Bros Entertainment UK Ltd
- Not upheld
- Poster, Television
- 05 August 2026
A TV ad and two posters for the film They Will Kill You weren’t irresponsible or offensive and didn’t glamourise violence and knife crime. The ads were suitable for display in an untargeted medium, had suitable scheduling restrictions and hasn’t been inappropriately placed during a UEFA Champions Leag...
Warner Bros Entertainment UK Ltd
- Upheld in part
- Poster, Television
- 05 August 2026
Posters for the film Lee Cronin’s The Mummy were likely to cause fear or distress to young children and were unsuitable for outdoor display. Two other ads were investigated but they didn’t break our rules.
EE Ltd t/a EE
- Part upheld
- Poster (digital static image)
- 15 July 2026
A digital poster for EE didn’t make sure their comparative claims were verifiable. Another issue was also investigated but it didn’t break our rules.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc t/a Take Two Interactive
- Not Upheld
- Transport
- 01 July 2026
An ad for the video game Borderlands 4 seen on a bus, didn’t omit material information.

View all rulings

Poster and other out of home

It goes without saying ads on posters and billboards and in other outdoor public spaces, should not mislead, harm or offend. But the targeting and placement of these kinds of ads are also particularly important.

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