Local Audiovisual Council bans two Romanian music videos for unmarked product placement but long after launch

Two Romanian music videos were banned from being played on local TV stations after the Romanian Audiovisual Council found they featured product placement without any mention of it. The CNA analyzed the videos Inevitabil va fi bine by Andra, and Asa, si by Vunk and found multiple product placements. Andra's video, which was launched in April 2013 and has been on heavy rotation since, includes disguised advertising for Garnier hair dye, Jacobs coffee and Free Way Cola. Romanian singer Andra has a contract with Garnier, and appeared in several of their commercials. Vunk's video, launched six months ago, has been advertising for the MedLife clinic, Mike's Pub, 55 Jaz Music and Heineken. The council has made this check after receiving several complaints. By law, programs including product placements have to comply with the following rules: avoid to exaggeratedly accentuate the products, and include information about the product placement before and after being featured, so as not to confuse viewers. The two videos were played on several music televisions, and some of them chose to blur the images of those products. Should the producers alter the videos accordingly, they will be allowed to appear on TV again. Watch the two videos below. editor@romania-insider.com