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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/aug/26/paddy-power-betfair-merger-may-mean-more-offensive-adverts-to-come

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Paddy Power and Betfair merger may mean more offensive adverts to come Paddy Power and Betfair merger may mean more offensive adverts to come
(about 4 hours later)
Paddy Power and Betfair say their merger will bring together two distinct but complementary brands that have both used eye-catching advertising to lure punters.Paddy Power and Betfair say their merger will bring together two distinct but complementary brands that have both used eye-catching advertising to lure punters.
Paddy Power has muscled its way into the public consciousness with unruly advertising campaigns and stunts intended to irritate or offend.Paddy Power has muscled its way into the public consciousness with unruly advertising campaigns and stunts intended to irritate or offend.
When its “ladies day” advert showing transgender women at the Cheltenham festival was banned from TV after four days in 2012, it replaced it with a “chav tranquiliser” ad showing a man firing darts into bawdy racegoers. When its Ladies Day advert showing transgender women at the Cheltenham festival was banned from TV after four days in 2012, it replaced it with the Chav Tranquiliser ad showing a man firing darts into bawdy racegoers.
Last year the company gatecrashed the Brit awards by dressing two men up as Daft Punk. After parading on the red carpet, the imposters dropped their trousers to reveal Paddy Power Y-fronts.Last year the company gatecrashed the Brit awards by dressing two men up as Daft Punk. After parading on the red carpet, the imposters dropped their trousers to reveal Paddy Power Y-fronts.
The company is seen in advertising world as both a dream and a nightmare client that chews its way through agencies. Creative types want the chance to produce edgy ads that show off their abilities, but they eventually tire of the tiny budgets and constant pressure. The company is seen in the advertising world as both a dream and a nightmare client that chews its way through agencies. Creative types want the chance to produce edgy ads that show off their abilities, but they eventually tire of the tiny budgets and constant pressure.
Dave Buonagauidi, the chief creative officer at Crispin Porter & Bogusky, said: “They have positioned themselves quite nicely as a mischievous brand and they will take the piss out of anyone. Ofcom [the communications regulator] will say ‘you naughty boys’ and Paddy Power will pay the fine and then find another way to do the same thing.” Dave Buonaguidi, the chief creative officer at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, said: “They have positioned themselves quite nicely as a mischievous brand and they will take the piss out of anyone. Ofcom [the communications regulator] will say: ‘You naughty boys,’ and Paddy Power will pay the fine and then find another way to do the same thing.”
Betfair’s online-only operation and real-time exchange is more restrained, but it has also tried to be eye-catching. A recent advert shows a punter deciding whether to bet on his smartphone, while those around him watching an event on TV go berserk.Betfair’s online-only operation and real-time exchange is more restrained, but it has also tried to be eye-catching. A recent advert shows a punter deciding whether to bet on his smartphone, while those around him watching an event on TV go berserk.
Perhaps in an attempt to retain an upmarket feel, the ad is set in a west London gastropub. Buonagauidi said: “Betfair are thinking ‘if we add a bit of informality and become a bit Paddy Power, that’s OK for us.’” Perhaps in an attempt to retain an upmarket feel, the ad is set in a west London gastropub. Buonaguidi said: “Betfair are thinking: ‘If we add a bit of informality and become a bit Paddy Power, that’s OK for us.’”