Iggy Pop becomes latest to run afoul of 'misleading' ads

By Eriq Gardner

British TV-watchers are notoriously cranky. Last year, the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority received 26,433 complaints about 15,556 ads—the most in its history—including a controversial spot for the movie "Zack and Miri Make A Porno." Despite 157 complaints, the ASA decided to let that one go.

But the ASA has been known to cause a lot of headaches for entertainment and media lawyers in the country.

Earlier in the year, we covered Universal's battle over a TV spot for the film "Wanted." Time to add another one on the list.

According to the latest adjudication by the ASA, twelve British TV viewers called or wrote the ASA to tell them this ad featuring Iggy Pop was misleading. We'll describe the beef below the video:

 

So what's got the British all hot and bothered? A shirtless, freaky-looking Iggy? Drug implications? A leaked birth certificate? Guess again.

Apparently, Swiftcover wouldn't extend insurance to anyone working full-time in the entertainment industry, including Iggy Pop. So if Iggy can't get swiftcovered, how can he endorse the product?

Apparently, he can't. The ASA agrees this is a misleading spot, and 12 British citizens are much happier today. Perhaps the "Lust For Life" songwriter should switch to hawking life insurance.

UPDATE: Apparently, Swiftcover has reacted to the ASA's decision by issuing a statement that it will now insure musicians.