Ginsters steal gags for their ads

Pasty-makers Ginsters could find themselves in trouble after using a string of comedians’ gags without permission.

The company has released two 30-second radio advertisements in which Mock The Week star Hugh Dennis reels off a series of one-liners.

However many of the jokes have been lifted from stand-ups such as Tim Vine and John Moloney without credit.

The commercials end with Mackenzie Crook delivering Ginsters’ slogan: ‘Real honest food’.

Although the comics involved did not wish to comment, Chortle understands that representatives of at least one of the stand-ups has been in contact with Ginsters over the issue.

One comedy insider said: ‘The advert ends with "Ginsters, real honest food". Shame they are not a real honest company. I'm a bit surprised that Hugh Dennis and Mackenzie Crook didn't realise something was amiss. They are both stand-ups - or at least they were.’

Ginsters, which spends £6.5million a year on marketing, did not respond to a request for comment.

But when the campaign was launched, marketing boss Andy Valentine, said: ‘We've maintained the touch of humour that made our Real Honest Food TV advertising such a fantastic success’, and he predicted the ads would ‘receive a great response’.

Kevin Stark, a copywriter with advertising giant BBH, is credited with ‘writing’ the ad.

You can hear the ads here.

Published: 12 May 2009