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Belfast Telegraph Home > News

Activists in a flap over penguins in Guinness ad



By Deborah McAleese

01 November 2006

It may be a source of laughter in living rooms and cinemas across
Ireland but the latest Guinness commercial has definitely not generated
much mirth among animal rights activists.

The commercial about the lives of two penguins has infuriated the animal
rights group Animal Defenders International who have said it would have
caused unnecessary suffering for the animal stars.

Dubbed 'Best Mates' the commercial depicts the treacherous journey a
pair of live emperor penguins have to make in order to get to the pub
and order a pint of Guinness.

When the pair finally arrive at the pub the penguin bar tender is not
amused that neither have any money to pay for their pints.

Produced by Blink Productions, the commercial also features computer
generated images of the penguins.

"It is totally inappropriate to use these species for filming," said Jan
Creamer, chief executive of Animal Defenders International (ADI).

"Devoid of their natural habitat and their own kind they can be
subjected to harsh training regimes to perform in a commercial
environment. The presence of film crews and equipment is highly
disruptive and they do not cope well in warmer climates.

"Animals do not need to suffer in this way, if brands used computer
generated images instead throughout their ads."

However, Guinness last night defended the commercial and said it is
"acutely aware of the absolute necessity to treat animals used in
commercials with due care for their mental and physical well being."

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