Estate agent sparks sexism row with 'vile' Tube advert referring to woman as 'modern extension'

Backlash: the advert at Baker Street
PA
Mark Chandler28 March 2017

An estate agent's advert on the Tube which referred to a woman shown draped over an older man as a “modern extension” has sparked a sexism row.

Marsh & Parsons says it will remove the London Underground advert after sparked it a backlash online.

The billboard also led to a string of complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Part of a series that likens people to homes, the ad shows a silver-haired man dressed in a suit while a younger woman cuddles up against him.

The caption reads: “A charming period property with a modern extension.”

Criticism: the advert sparked a backlash online
PA

One commuter, who spotted the image at Baker Street, shared it with a tweet simply saying: “Yuk”.

Meanwhile Gerry Hassan wrote: “How did @MarshandParsons estate agents miss 2nd half of 20th c & 21st c? What sexist stereotypes. #everydaysexism”

Tracy Kuhn added: “Oh wow. Some people with actual degrees & proper suits sat round a table & all agreed on that. We're doomed.”

Another tweeter replied: “Think their website's wrong. Should say ‘UK Estate Agency of the Year' 1976’.”

Others branded the advert “revolting”, “vile” and “mega gross”.

Lissa Evans wrote: “Yes, because that's what women are - decorative addendums. #past40yearsneverhappened”

Martin Ballantine wrote: “Estate agents living up to their ghastly/sleazy image.”

“It's as if the Married Women Property Act 1882 had never happened,” said another tweeter. “P.s. women buy houses too.”

Twitter user Pimlicat said: “How much more enlightened @marshandparsons would've seemed if they'd gender reversed this advert.”

David Brown, CEO of Marsh & Parsons, said: "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.

"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.

"We have featured a varied mixture of men and women across various cultures and ages and have never sought to alienate or insult anybody.

"The campaign, created by a team of men and women, is designed to be thought-provoking and to prompt conversation, but it was not our intention to cause offence.

"It would appear that this particular advert - taken apart from the rest of the campaign - has done so and we will be taking steps to remove it as a result."

A spokeswoman for the ASA said: "We’ve received six complaints about the Marsh & Parsons ad which are currently being assessed."

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