The consumer advertising Grinch strikes again

There's no doubt consumers have all the power these days. The recent Cell C advertising furore, where an irate consumer took matters into his own hands to spread what he felt was the true Cell C slogan based on his experience with the brand went viral.

And consumers have the power to veto advertising they don't agree with. One such ad is the 'Santa isn't real' billboard, recently erected by Comedy Central. The basic advertising premise that Mr Claus doesn't exist, but not to worry as Comedy Central is there to cheer you up went down like a lead balloon.

Parents complained, calling it "a stupid board put up by stupid people," Citizen reports.

Well, the 'stupid people' responsible listened and took down the billboard, also going so far as to issue an apology on their site.

Comedy Central apologises, pulls Santa billboard http://t.co/CDcgckwsv5 pic.twitter.com/EV86OQCQFi

- Eyewitness News (@ewnupdates) December 13, 2014

Goes to show that tongue-in-cheek advertising just doesn't cut it these days. Consumers are smart, opinionated and angry. Be prepared, advertisers!