London Estate Agent To Remove “Awful, Retrograde” Tube Adverts Amid Sexism Row

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by Anna Brech |
Published on

A London-based estate agent is set to remove a controversial advert that referred to a woman as a "modern extension" and provoked fury across social media.

Marsh and Parsons say their campaign was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but acknowledged they may have been off the mark.

The posters, which were spotted on different underground platforms this week, show an older man standing next to a young woman.

The tagline reads, "A charming period property with a modern extension".

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©Twitter

The adverts sparked anger from many on Twitter, who accused the estate agents of pandering to tired old gender stereotypes.

"Awful advertising campaign. Do woman need a rich old man to buy them property? What is message @marshandparsons? #advertisingfail #property," said Twitter user @NicoleBremner.

"How did @MarshandParsons estate agents miss 2nd half of 20th c & 21st c? What sexist stereotypes. #everydaysexism," added @GerryHassan.

"How much more enlightened @marshandparsons would've seemed if they'd gender reversed this advert," noted @pimlicat.

"Think their website's wrong. Should say 'UK Estate Agency of the Year' 1976," said @pug_63.

Marsh & Parsons said the adverts were not meant to be taken seriously.

"Marsh & Parsons has a recent history of tongue-in-cheek advertisements that compare people to property and reflect that the range of people we work with are as diverse as the types of properties we sell and let," said chief executive David Brown.

"We have always tried to get our message across with a gentle sense of humour and up until now, our work has been extremely well-received."

He added that because the adverts had ended up insulting people, "we will be taking steps to remove it".

The Advertising Standards Authority is currently looking at six complaints over the campaign.

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