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M&S and BSkyB threaten Facebook boycott over adverts | M&S and BSkyB threaten Facebook boycott over adverts |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Facebook is in urgent talks to try to appease two of Britain's major advertisers after they suspended all or part of their spending with the site. | Facebook is in urgent talks to try to appease two of Britain's major advertisers after they suspended all or part of their spending with the site. |
Marks and Spencer and BSkyB told Facebook they had serious concerns about their advertising appearing next to "inappropriate" content. | Marks and Spencer and BSkyB told Facebook they had serious concerns about their advertising appearing next to "inappropriate" content. |
A member of the public raised the issue with the companies about a Sky advert promoting an M&S voucher. | A member of the public raised the issue with the companies about a Sky advert promoting an M&S voucher. |
The advert was placed on a Facebook page called "cute and gay boys". | The advert was placed on a Facebook page called "cute and gay boys". |
The page featured photographs of teenage boys. | The page featured photographs of teenage boys. |
The store group asked BSkyB to remove the advert, and it has suspended some of its own advertising campaigns on Facebook. | The store group asked BSkyB to remove the advert, and it has suspended some of its own advertising campaigns on Facebook. |
BSkyB has suspended all of its advertising on the social network, where it has been a major customer. | BSkyB has suspended all of its advertising on the social network, where it has been a major customer. |
Misogynist content | Misogynist content |
Both companies said they were keen to use Facebook again, but needed to be sure that their advertising would not appear next to offensive content, or material that might reflect poorly on their brands. | Both companies said they were keen to use Facebook again, but needed to be sure that their advertising would not appear next to offensive content, or material that might reflect poorly on their brands. |
A spokesman for BSkyB told the BBC: "We have asked Facebook to devise safeguards to ensure our content does not appear alongside inappropriate material in the future. | A spokesman for BSkyB told the BBC: "We have asked Facebook to devise safeguards to ensure our content does not appear alongside inappropriate material in the future. |
"We will review the situation in due course." | "We will review the situation in due course." |
Sources at Marks and Spencer said Facebook had been taking the issue very seriously at the highest level. | Sources at Marks and Spencer said Facebook had been taking the issue very seriously at the highest level. |
In an additional statement, an M&S spokeswoman said the company did not "tolerate any inappropriate use or positioning of its brand and has very clear policies that govern where and how our brand is used". | |
She added: "We take any suggestion that these policies are not being adhered to very seriously and always investigate them thoroughly." | |
It is understood that the social network could make an announcement later on Friday clarifying how it planned to change its advertising system to deal with the current concerns. | It is understood that the social network could make an announcement later on Friday clarifying how it planned to change its advertising system to deal with the current concerns. |
Earlier this month, Facebook was forced to act against misogynist content on its site after protests from women's groups led some advertisers to suspend campaigns. | Earlier this month, Facebook was forced to act against misogynist content on its site after protests from women's groups led some advertisers to suspend campaigns. |