By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

TORONTO, December 11, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) today rejected a proposed advertizing campaign that woulud have involved wrapping its streetcars with advertisements for the Ashley Madison Agency, an online dating site that promotes adultery.

The advertising plan would have seen one of the city’s streetcars wrapped in purple with the phrase, “Life is short. Have an affair,” in bold letters running from front to back on both sides. The phrase would also occupy every ad slot inside the vehicle.

Ashley Madison CEO Noel Biderman told the media that, if the initial ads were successful, he hoped to see a total of 10 streetcars rigged in a similar manner, for which the TTC would have received $200,000.

Though the TTC is not averse to running controversial ads – earlier this year they approved the atheist bus ad campaign which displayed the slogan, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” – the news that they were considering a campaign promoting extra-marital affairs generated strong opposition.

“To blatantly advertise cheating in this manner where people of all ages, including children, are open to it, means people may be incredibly offended,” Dave Quist, executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, told the National Post.

“People are generally outraged by that type of a lifestyle and to advertise it in such a public fashion, in my opinion, is wrong.”

Gwen Landolt, vice president of REAL Women of Canada, said that while her organization believes in free speech, the Ashley Madison ads go too far.

“The implications are so damaging if we treat marriage in such a disruptive manner,” she said. “Nothing is more damaging to marriage than promiscuity. Sexual fidelity is absolutely essential in marriage.”

Shortly after the controversy broke, TTC spokesman Brad Ross said the advertising review committee was made aware of concerns raised by TTC staff after the ads were marked for review by the Commission’s ad agency, CBS Outdoor.

“This ad came to us and we took a look at it and we said it’s not appropriate for a streetcar to be running all over the streets of Toronto advocating for people to have affairs,” Ross said. “Even if the ads were to run, it only requires five public complaints for the review committee to look at it again, and they have the power to remove them from the system.”

Concerns and opinions regarding this ad campaign can be made to:
Toronto Transit Commission
TTC Chairman Adam Giambrone
Email: [email protected]
Advertising Complaints: 416-393-3030

See related LSN articles:

Toronto Transit Commission Approves Anti-God Ads

Adultery Agency gets Regular Coverage from CBC on St. Valentine’s Day

TTC TRANSFERS MUST CARRY GAY ADS