Some of the press coverage about our fight against corporate advertising.
For press enquiries please email hello [~at~] adfreecities.org.uk or call 07517 408513 (email preferred as phone is not monitored 24/7).
November 2023
Elf Bar vape adverts banned in UK over ‘greener’ recycling claims
The Guardian, 29 November 2023
UK watchdog bans Elfbar single-use vape adverts over ‘misleading’ recycling claims
Business Green, 29 November 2023
Elf Bar vape adverts banned over ‘misleading’ recycling claims
Sky News, 29 November 2023
Elf Bar adverts banned by ASA for misleading recycling claims
Marketing Beat, 29 November 2023
Elfbar vape ads banned over ‘misleading’ environmental claims
The Independent, 29 November 2023
Elfbar vape ads banned over misleading environmental claims
Guernsey Press, 29 November 2023
Campaigners protest outside The&Partnership offices following Toyota ASA ruling
Marketing Beat, 23 November 2023
Toyota SUV adverts banned in UK on environmental grounds
The Guardian, 22 November 2023
Toyota advert banned for showing pick-up truck convoy driving through river
Financial Times, 22 November 2023
UK bans two Toyota adverts for promoting off-road driving
The Independent, 22 November 2023
Toyota SUV advert banned for ‘disregarding’ impact of vehicles being pictured driving on environment
Sky News, 22 November 2023
Toyota SUV ad depicting off-road driving in nature banned by ASA
Business Green, 22 November 2023
The UK banned a Toyota truck ad for promoting off-road driving
Bloomberg, 22 November 2023
SUVs could be the latest casualty of climate change as Paris tries to drive them out
Euronews, 24 November 2023
Campaign group Adfree Cities tells The Drum that ads for oversized cars should be banned outright in order to curb their equally oversized harms.
The Drum, 22 November 2023
ASA bans Toyota ad for encouraging environmentally damaging driving
Campaign, 22 November 2023
UK Advertising Watchdog Bans Toyota SUV Ads on Environmental Grounds
DeSmog, 22 November 2023
Toyota SUV ads banned for condoning driving ‘with no regard for environmental impact’
The Ecologist, 22 November 2023
UK bans Toyota Hilux ad for being socially “irresponsible” towards environment
The Driven, 22 November 2023
Toyota ads banned for encouraging ‘irresponsible’ behaviour
Sustainability Beat, 22 November 2023
UK bans Toyota advertisement for promoting off-road driving
Financial Express, 22 November 2023
SUV ads were pulled in a landmark UK ruling
Positive News, 24 November 2023
Toyota carbon emissions soar, now more than Australia, as it seeks to slow EV uptake
The Driven, 20 November 2023
Can this EV charging network’s ad-funded model make the market more accessible?
The Drum, 17 November 2023
Shell taps gamers and influencers to boost image among the young
Financial Times, 10 November 2023
Bristol campaigners welcome changes to digital advertising screens
BBC Bristol, 2 November 2023
October 2023
Adfree Cities calls to ‘End Meat Advertising’ in the UK
Marketing Beat, 31 October 2023
Adfree Cities Calls for Meat Advertising to Be Banned in the UK
Vegconomist, 30 October 2023
Campaigners Call for An End To Meat Advertising In The UK
Plant Based News, 27 October 2023
Oily ads will continue to slip out of the ASA’s reach
Campaign, 25 October 2023
Repsol has renewable hydrogen ad banned in the UK over greenwashing worries
Edie, 18 October 2023
‘Omitted material information’: Repsol rapped for second time in a year by ASA for misleading green ads
Business Green, 18 October 2023
El regulador publicitario británico veta por segunda vez un anuncio de Repsol por ‘greenwashing’ en lo que va de año
El Diario, 18 October 2023
ASA bans ‘misleading’ Repsol ad for greenwashing
Campaign, 18 October 2023
September 2023
‘Not fit for purpose’: Watchdog accused of failing to protect public from ‘climate impacts of high-carbon advertising’
Business Green, 20 September 2023
Havas ‘on the radar’ of climate activists and clients walk following Shell account win
The Drum, 20 September 2023
Regulators Are Trying to Stop Greenwashing Before It Gets Worse
Bloomberg / Bloomberg Law, 18 September 2023
EVs offset by SUVs
The Ecologist, 15 September 2023
August 2023
Reino Unido prohíbe los engaños de las petroleras
Ballena Blanca magazine (elDiario.es), August 2023
Campaigners paint over ‘illegal’ ad billboards in Bristol
Bristol 24/7, 3 August 2023
June 2023
We object to massive new ad screens for two main reason: the ads and the screens
Bristol 247, 14 June 2023
Is the ASA’s greenwashing crackdown changing the ad industry?
Campaign, 18 June 2023
Regulators take aim at ‘lobby-tising’
Financial Times, 9 June 2023
Climate activists stage anti-greenwash protest outside Wunderman Thompson
Campaign, 8 June 2023
Protesters gather at agency HQs to stifle Shell media review
The Drum, 8 June 2023
Positive News: This week’s good news round up
Positive News, 8 June 2023
What an honest ad from an oil and gas company would look like
Quartz, 8 June 2023
UK watchdog bans Shell, Repsol and Petronas greenwashing ads
The Financial Times, 7 June 2023
Shell’s clean energy advertising campaign is misleading, UK watchdog says
Washington Post, 7 June 2023
Shell’s ‘green’ ad campaign banned in UK for being ‘likely to mislead’
Guardian, 7 June 2023
Shell adverts featuring wind turbines and EV charging points banned for ‘greenwashing’
The Telegraph, 7 June 2023
Shell Energy adverts banned for ‘fossil-fuel greenwashing’
The Times, 7 June 2023
‘Precedent setting’: Shell, Petronas, and Repsol rapped over green ads
Business Green, 7 June 2023
‘Misleading’ Shell adverts about low-carbon products banned
Sky News, 7 June 2023
Shell’s clean energy campaign is misleading, UK advertising watchdog says
Independent, 7 June 2023
Ad watchdog cracks down on oil giants Shell and Petronas’ ‘greenwashing’ campaigns
Evening Standard, 7 June 2023
Shell’s latest greenwashing ad ban marks a tipping point for big oil’s eco campaigns
The Drum, 7 June 2023
ASA bans three Shell ads for greenwashing
Campaign, 7 June 2023
Advertising regulation is not fit for climate protection
Business Green, 7 June 2023 (Opinion)
Shell’s Bristol advert campaign banned for being misleading and exaggerated
Bristol Post, 7 June 2023
Protesters fighting ‘harmful’ advertising cover up digital advert screens
London News Online, 5 June 2023
May 2023
6 Ads Banned for Greenwashing by the UK’s Advertising Watchdog
Bloomberg, 27th May 2023
Prize Flights: BBC urged to stop offering flights to competition winners
Business Green, 4 May 2023
March 2023
New billboard celebrates independent businesses
Bristol 24/7, 21 March 2023
February 2023
HSBC adds greenwashing to its risk matrix
Edie, 22 February 2023
January 2023
How the regulatory tide is turning against greenwashing brands in 2023
The Drum, 24 January 2023
December 2022
‘Nature-rinsing’ is the perfect term for our age of climate anxiety
Fast Company, 14 December 2022
HSBC to stop funding new oil and gas fields after greenwashing criticism
The Telegraph, 14 December 2022
Derail car advertising
Ecologist, 9 December 2022
Rail network refuses to ban adverts for flights and SUVs
The Times (print only), 5 December 2022
November 2022
Les détourners de pub
Radio France, 28 November 2022
Tackling greenwash in the aviation industry.
Aviation Environment Federation, 17 November 2022
October 2022
HSBC ads banned for misleading consumers about green credentials
Financial Times, 19 October 2022
Watchdog bans HSBC climate ads in fresh blow to bank’s green credentials
Guardian, 19 October 2022
HSBC climate change adverts banned by UK watchdog
BBC News, 19 October 2022
HSBC misled consumers with ‘greenwashing’ adverts, watchdog rules
Telegraph, 19 October 2022
HSBC climate ads misled consumers over bank’s environmental impact, ASA rules
Business Green, 19 October 2022
HSBC ‘green’ ads banned for omitting information about bank’s own emissions
Evening Standard, 19 October 2022
HSBC ads among latest to be ruled greenwashing by ASA
The Drum, 19 October 2022
Advertising watchdog gives HSBC a black mark over green claims (paywalled)
The Times, 19 October 2022
HSBC’s COP26 Climate-Change Ads Were Misleading, U.K. Watchdog Says
Wall Street Journal, 19 October 2022
The cities going billboard-free
ABC Radio, Australia, 5 October 2022
September 2022
In pictures: Activists take over billboards to call out impact of flying on global carbon emissions
Euronews, 23 September 2022
‘Eco-brandals’ target airline adverts in coordinated mass poster attack
Mirror, 22 September 2022
Ruinair? Airline ads across Europe ‘hacked’ in climate protest
The Brussels Times, 22 September 2022
Should billboard advertising be banned?
BBC, 8 September 2022
April 2022
The towns and cities taking junk food bans into their own hands
The Grocer, 11 April 2022
February 2022
The activists fighting to block advertising in UK cities
Huck magazine, 14 February 2022
December 2021
Bristol residents call for the removal of giant advertising screens
BBC, 6 December 2021
Back to the drawing board: the movement to reclaim cities from ad hoardings
Positive News, 1 December 2021
November 2021
Watchdog overturns ban on advert of Land Rover in forest
The Guardian, 24 November 2021
ASA draws ire from green campaigners over Land Rover ad ruling
Business Green, 24 November 2021
EasyJet faces investigation over greenwash adverts during COP26
Eco-hustler, 5 November 2021
The Fight to End Corporate Advertising in Bristol
The Bristol Activist, 14 November 2021
How one organisation is calling out the hypocrisy of fossil ads with its own spoof versions
It’s Nice That – 9 November 2021
To boycott or not to boycott: how agencies should work with high-carbon clients
Campaign Live – 2 November 2021
Adfree Cities targets HSBC ‘greenwashing’ with ASA complaints campaign
The Drum, 2 November 2021
‘Fight for the soul of the industry’: adland under scrutiny from watchful green activists
The Drum, 1 November 2021
October 2021
European Ad Agencies Targeted by Spoof Posters Calling Out Their Fossil Fuel Clients
Adweek, 13 October 2021
Adblock Bristol demands a ban on fossil fuel advertising
Ths Bristol Cable, 11 October 2021
London’s biggest ad agencies targeted in anti-advertising climate protests
The Drum, 11 October 2021
September 2021
Campaigners say M32 advert screens in Bristol are ‘grotesque’ and need removing
Bristol Post, 23 September 2021
Fight for your right to be ad-free
Ethical Consumer, 9 September 2021
OPINION: Why I’m taking a stand against harmful advertisments
Eastern Daily News, 2 September 2021
July 2021
Digital screen advert firm tries again to win permission at busy Bedminster junction
Bristol Post, 13 July 2021
June 2021
The truth about advertising: are ads a violation of our human rights?
Live Frankly, 14 June 2021
Huge digital screen ad ‘would be dangerous’ at busy Bristol road junction
Bristol Post, 9 June 2021
Bedminster begins campaign to remove the two big billboards of North Street Green
Bristol Post, 2 June 2021
Call for local billboards to be removed
The Pigeon, June 2021
May 2021
Adblock Bristol: Creating Space for What We Really Need to Thrive
Going for Gold Bristol / Bristol Bites Back Better, 21 May 2021
APRIL 2021
Badvertising – when ads promote fossil fuels and overconsumption
Restart Podcast Ep. 63, 29 April 2021
Así desafían colectivos de artistas los mensajes engañosos de las empresas de energías fósiles
(Translation: ‘This is how artist collectives challenge deceptive messages from fossil fuel companies’)
elDiario.es, 20 April 2021
March 2021
Advertising with a conscience
The Lancet Planetary Health, March 2021
Brixton Road digital billboard refused planning permission after campaign
SW Londoner, 19th March 2021
Bristol becomes first UK city to ban ads for junk food, payday loans and gambling
The Bristol Cable, 16th March 2021
Campaigners Welcome Bristol City Council Ban on Junk Food Adverts but Demand More
Bristol 24/7, 12th March 2021
Bristol City Council bans adverts for junk food, alcohol, and gambling
Bristol Post, 12th March 2021
Bristol becomes first city outside London to restrict junk food advertising
Sustain, 10th March 2021
February 2021
New report slams advertising regulator
Ecohustler, 24th February 2021
Plans for Brixton Road digital advertising billboard met with resistance
SW Londoner, 19th February 2021
Removing outdoors adverts is essential to reclaiming the urban commons
Minim magazine, 16th February 2021
Adblock Lambeth campaign group battle huge digital advertising screen on Brixton Road
Brixton Buzz, 12th February 2021
November 2020
HSBC publicly slammed for being the worst of a bad bunch of banks
Ecohustler, 11th November 2020
Interview with Adam Crowther about Adfree Cities conference (audio, from 3:42:25)
Breakfast on BBC Radio Bristol, 7th November 2020
Bristol City Council Considers Ban on Adverts for Junk Food, Polluting Cars and Gambling
Bristol 24/7, 4th November 2020
Bristol City Council could ban junk food adverts
Bristol Post, 4th November 2020
October 2020
Brandalism group take action against city advertisers – with quote from Adblock Brum
The Birmingham Press, 29th October 2020
More Art, Fewer Ads
Permaculture Magazine, Winter 2020
August 2020
Badvertising – is changing the advertising industry the next step in speeding transition?
Resilience, 25th August 2020
How outdoor advertising can deepen inequality
BBC Worklife, 20th August 2020
Bill-bored – residents say no to giant advert screens
South Bristol Voice, August 2020
July 2020
Protest Against Digital Advertising Screens on Bath Road
Bristol 24/7, 20th July 2020
April 2020
Billboard likely to be removed as it has never had planning permission
Bristol 24/7, 16th April 2020
January 2020
The growing global movement to end outdoor advertising
Equal Times, 13 January 2020
December 2019
How big advertisement companies are taking away people’s daylight
The Independent, 16th December 2019
November 2019
Robbie Gillett interview on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight, 8th November 2019
October 2019
Robbie Gillett interview on BBC Radio Bristol ahead of the #AdfreeCities conference, 26th October 2019
Renaud Fossard from Resistance a l’agression Publicitaire interview on BBC Radio Bristol ahead of the #AdfreeCities conference, 26th October 2019
September 2019
Campaign grows to block plans for digital billboards in Bristol
Bristol Post, 18th September 2019
New artwork in St Werburghs aims to capture your mind not your wallet
Bristol Post, 4th September 2019
August 2019
Residents fears over digital billboard proposal at busy Gloucester Road junction
Bristol Post, 12th August 2019
June 2019
Leigh from Adblock Bristol appeared on Ujima Radio’s Women’s Outlook show to discuss the fight against outdoor advertising in Bristol. From 26th June 2019, listen again here.
We are not buying it
ecohustler, 13 Jun 2019
March 2019
New digital ad billboard on M32 is ‘brutal monolith’ say local people
Bristol Post, 13th March 2019
Three billboards to be removed in St Werburghs
Bristol Post, 12th March 2019
Advertising billboards in Bristol ‘should be capped’ and no more planning permission granted
Bristol Post, 9th March 2019
February 2019
Campaigners call for outdoor adverts ban in Cardiff
BBC News, 7 February 2019
Dozens object to ‘eyesore’ digital billboard playing six ads a minute on road to Bristol Airport
Bristol Post, 5th February 2019
Art in Ad Places
Vocalise Bristol, Issue 9, Jan-March 2019 (Page 23)
November 2018
BT ‘in talks’ with council to bring controversial InLinks to Bristol despite drug dealer fears
Bristol Post, 16th November 2018
October 2018
BBC Radio Bristol interview with Robbie Gillett (Adblock Bristol) – clip available on request
20th October 2018
‘Monstrous’ and ‘distracting’ – dozens of Bristolians slam plans for new digital billboards over main road
Bristol Post, 15th October 2018
St Werburghs billboard art focuses on mothers’ aspirations
Bristol 24/7, 8th October 2018
August 2018
BBC Radio Bristol interview with Nicola Round (Adblock Bristol) and Councillor Carla Denyer
4th August 2018
July 2018
‘Sexist and objectifying’ billboard provokes anger from Bristol anti-advertising campaigners
Bristol Post, 24th July 2018
Why people are angry about 35-foot high advertising boards coming to Bristol City Centre
Bristol Post, 5th July 2018
Anger as Broadmead bike racks removed to make way for digital advertising hoarding
Bristol Post, 5th July 2018
June 2018
A billboard for art, not ads
Vocalise Magazine, Summer 2018 edition
May 2018
Could fast food advertising soon be banned in Bristol?
Bristol Post, 16th May 2018
Parks aren’t there for making money
The Bristol Cable, 11th May 2018
Bristol parking charges to go up as park cuts approved. But large-scale, high-impact, advertising will not be rolled out
Bristol Post, 2nd May 2018
April 2018
BBC Radio Bristol: morning show
25th April 2018
Easton residents object to plans for huge digital billboard in Stapleton Road
Bristol Post, 18th April 2018
Bristol’s new phone boxes could end up spying on you
Bristol Cable, 17th April 2018
BT’s new InLink WiFi portals will introduce dozens of new security cameras to Bristol streets
Bristol Post, 12th April 2018
BT plan to replace Bristol’s telephone boxes with these modern wifi portals
Bristol Post, 4th April 2018
March 2018
How are you? Grab a pen… What happened when one Bristol billboard was covered over and free pens were handed out
Bristol Post, 26 March 2018
‘Low impact’ advertising in parks to be considered despite public opposition
Bristol Cable, 21st March 2018
Money from advertising billboards in parks ‘not worth it’
Bristol 24/7, 21st March 2018
Beyond Consumerism – interview with Adblock Bristol
Ethical Consumer Magazine, 19th March 2018
Huge billboard near Bristol’s bearpit ‘never had planning permission’
Bristol Post, 7 March 2017
February 2018
People in St Werburghs take their battle with advertising giant onto the streets
Bristol Post, 23rd February 2018
St Werburghs Billboard showcases Art Not Ads
Bristol 24/7, 26th February 2018
January 2018
BBC Radio Bristol: evening show (clip coming soon)
30th January 2018
‘Keep Bristol’s parks advert-free’ petition gains thousands of signatures
Bristol Post, 29 January 2018
Do you want advertising in your parks?
The Bristol Cable, 26th January 2018
Newly erected Old City billboard considered ‘unacceptable’ by council
Bristol 24/7, 16th January 2018
December 2017
Anti-consumerism campaigners slam proposal for adverts in Bristol parks
Bristol Post, 28 December 2017
April 2017
Can Bristol go ad free? BBC Points West talk to Adblock Bristol
BBC Points West, April 2017