The thinking that leads to an ad ban can be inscrutable. But Bondi Advertising’s outdoor campaign wasn’t banned because a consumer complained about it, like Devondale’s Glow Girl, or because a rival brand did, like SodaSteam’s Super Bowl ads. Brisbane Airport refused to put it up.

“Having ideas rejected is an occupational hazard for brave creative agencies but yesterday’s ban of the G20 ­ IT’S TIME TO ACT campaign, to be installed at Brisbane Airport, delivered a new level of pain to those who developed it.”

Bondi Advertising is not feeling joy about its latest creative rejection.

“Agencies have great work slapped down frequently but this ban is a slap in the face for all humans with a conscious,” Bondi Advertising creative director, Jonas Allen, remarked.

The outdoor campaign was developed for the C20, “a platform for dialogue between the political leaders of G20 countries and representatives of civil society organisations”. It was created to achieve that dialoge. And it was due to go up in Brisbane before the visitors arrive next week.

The campaign focuses on issues of inequality, climate change and corruption and was deemed ‘too political’ by Brisbane Airports’ billboard owners.

It is the second campaign to be banned in one week by the airport.

“The C20 campaign is so universal, unilateral, inoffensive and for the common good that this ban marks a sad day in Australia. Compassionate community dialogue has been kyboshed,” stated Bondi Advertising planning director, Steve Muller.

Freedom of speech will now go into in the hands of social media.