This billboard has recently been launched by a toilet company at Times Square, which is now being considered too cheeky for the pastor of a nearby church. The Toto Washlet Company has unveiled a giant two-story billboard wrapped around three sides of a Times Square building. The huge advertisement features naked buttocks with smiley faces on them. The billboard has covered two sides of the Broadway building that houses Rhodes’ church, its Bible school and day-care center. The advertisement are meant to promote the Washlet, a bidet-toilet seat that uses warm water and air.
Pastor Neil Rhodes of the Times Square Church has asked a state judge to block the advertisement installed on a billboard that wraps around the Broadway house of worship. The church has argued that the advertisement would interfere with the church’s religious mission.
Adam Silverstein, a lawyer for the advertisement agency, Van Wagner Communications, has said that it’s not to trivialize the church’s distaste for the sign. He has further argued, ‘this is Times Square. It’s the billboard capital of the world, and it’s home to the most sensational advertisements in the universe.’ A court ruling is expected on Monday over the case.
Comments
Everytime I go to New York City I see ads like this. I stay at New York Budget Hotels every time i go and i see these ads.
I am not surprised of the Church response. I agree that ads like these are not unusual in NY. Being on New York City Bus ToursManhattan Tour,I saw some of the most creative advertisement billboards.
My first time driving through Manhattan looking for one of the New York City Hotels, I was amazed of how many advertising signs out there. I think only tasteful billboards should be allowed.
Firstly, isn’t the term too ’cheeky’ very ambiguous in itself keeping in mind the situation at hand. Also, yes the board is slightly off-beat. The advertisers should’ve known that it wouldn’t go down well. Good stuff though in my opinion.