China's Ad Business Faces a Crackdown

"Hedonism, lavishness and the worship of foreign things" won't be tolerated. Nor will promoting "aristocratic lifestyles."

A new ban on these themes in outdoor advertising takes effect on Apr. 15 in Beijing, according to an announcement on the website of the city's industry and commerce bureau. The restrictions are likely to be rolled out in cities across China as part of what could prove to be a nationwide crackdown on conspicuous consumption, says Shanghai-based Jim Liu, managing partner at outdoor advertising agency Kinetic China.