Aimee Walker
CompareTheMarket’s iconic meerkat ad has reportedly been ‘pulled from TV’ following the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The price comparison site’s wealthy Russian mascot, named Aleksandr Orlov, has been branded ‘distasteful’ due to the current situation.
Following the criticism, the company has issued a statement that says that the character is ‘fictional’ and no harm has been intended.
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The full statement reads: “The meerkats are fictional characters.
“They have no association with Russia and the current situation. We are continually reviewing our advertising to ensure we’re being sensitive to the current situation.”
Before CompareTheMarket ‘pulled’ the ad, social media users were calling the company out and said the meerkat is an ‘ally’ of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
One fumed: “The Comparethemarket advert is still bring shown on UK TV despite portraying a caricature Russian oligarch and a staunch ally of Putin. So distasteful considering the current situation!”
However, once the ad was removed, others took to Twitter and insisted that it was all an ‘overreaction’.
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One commented: “For f*** sake, society is infested with morons who can’t tell the difference between a fictional comic character and real life. The solution is to ignore these people and to carry on, ‘SIMPLES’.”
“Really not sure how dropping the Compare the Meerkat adverts actually helps with anything?” another said. “Are we typical thinking that having a fictional Russian character somehow backs Putin? Are we gonna start punishing people for being Russian now as well?”
CompareTheMarket’s iconic mascot, who is known for the catchphrase ‘Simples,’ has featured in several adverts for the company since 2009.
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