The Scrutineer

Adwatch #2 - Halifax: ISA ISA Baby

In direct comparison to my previous post, the Halifax has been the subject of derision for their appalling TV advertising ever since real-life staff member Howard Brown first appeared on our screens way back in 2000. The current campaign is ‘Radio Halifax’, a fictional radio station where the bank’s pisspoor financial services are endlessly plugged on air by a bunch of gormless nobodies to the backing of popular music. Their latest offering of tax-free ISAs is uncomfortably paired with Vanilla Ice’s 1990 hit Ice Ice Baby (see what they’ve done there?). The Halifax, which as part of the Lloyds Banking Group is 41% owned by the UK taxpayer, could do us all a big favour and pull the plug on this campaign. If Vanilla Ice were dead, he’d be spinning in his grave right now.

Adwatch rating: Dislike.