Twitter Backlash Over Aviva’s Downton Abbey Ads

Aviva was facing a Twitter backlash today following the airing of its hard-hitting adverts on ITV’s popular drama Dowton Abbey.

The advertising, shown at the start of every commercial break last night, was a series of sketches showing how insurance products can protect people who have suffered badly in accidents, such as a motorbike crash victim called ‘Gary’.

But angry viewers labelled the adverts ‘depressing’ and some said it had ruined the drama.

The series of adverts began with a motorcyclist riding over the brow of a hill and then disappearing just before the sound of his bike crashing.

The next advert showed a crumpled motorbike with spinning wheel, and the following advert featured the injured rider hobbling around on crutches at home.

Aviva responded: “We knew they wouldn’t be what people were expecting, but feel that real customer dramas are important stories to tell.”

Here were some of the responses on Twitter to the adverts.

kjalee Katy Lee Ofcom are surely going to get a flood of complaints about the Aviva ads sponsoring Downton Abbey

Singstar1982 Vikki Lyons Right! Downton Abbey is so beautiful, why are they depressing us with those Aviva adverts!!

thirdbreakfast Dan A Note to Aviva: the tone of your placements around the Downton Abbey break will only create a resolve to never buy your products. Please note

EddCrocker Edward Crocker Aviva sponsorship of downton abbey is shameful does this mean that all bikers are going to have an accident, rubbish.

davehudson77 Dave Hudson @avivaukgi I will never buy aviva products thanks to their Sunday evening-ruining adverts on Downton Abbey!