Derby University stops advertising on Mail Online after criticism
The University of Derby has withdrawn its ads from the Mail Online after one appeared next to a column by Sarah Vine, headlined: "If this hysterical Westminster witch hunt is what a world run by women looks like, count me out". Following complaints on Twitter, a university statement said "programmatic advertising" was to blame and added: "We’re unable to satisfactorily exclude out ads from all web pages containing content which contradicts our values. To ensure that one possible conflict is eliminated, we will be stopping our ads from appearing on Mail Online." 

The University of Derby has pulled its advertising from Mail Online.

The University of Derby has pulled ads from Mail Online

Adverts for the university appeared beside a column from Sarah Vine headlined “If this hysterical Westminster witch hunt is what a world run by women looks like, count me out”, prompting Twitter users to complain.

@DerbyUni Your ads are next to this awful column in the Daily Mail. Please don't fund their hate by placing ads with them. @StopFundingHate pic.twitter.com/d3j8vAoAZA — Rufus Westwood (@BiggusDiggus) November 2, 2017

Pointing at “programmatic advertising” as the cause, the University of Derby responded to complaints tweeting: “While we pay careful attention to the publishers used, occasionally our ads get displayed alongside articles that we would not have chosen.

“Having spoken with our supplier, we’re unable to satisfactorily exclude out ads from all webpages containing content which contradicts our values. “To ensure that one possible conflict is eliminated, we will be stopping our ads from appearing on Mail Online.”

Campaign group Stop Funding Hate has welcomed the university’s move, tweeting a congratulatory message.

*Confirmed*: Congratulations to @DerbyUni, who are now blocking Mail Online from their advertising programme https://t.co/AvkHzVLCez — Stop Funding Hate (@StopFundingHate) November 2, 2017

The Mail Online boasts 27.2 million monthly unique visitors making it the world’s most visited English-language newspaper website.

Over the years, Stop Funding Hate has made moves to encourage brands such as Waitrose, Iceland, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis to pull their advertising from the site.

In November 2016, Lego publicly “finished its agreement with the Daily Mail”.