One of Ireland’s biggest advertising agencies has confirmed that it has begun a boycott of YouTube advertising on behalf of some of Ireland’s largest brands. Photo: GETTY

One of Ireland's biggest advertising agencies has confirmed that it has begun a boycott of YouTube advertising on behalf of some of Ireland's largest brands.

Core Media, which represents Heineken, AIB and the National Lottery among others, is pulling all campaigns over concerns that ads are appearing within videos that include extremist content.

"Until we are confident that a solution to the brand safety challenge is in place, Core Media is pausing all ad campaigns on YouTube and GDN," said Alan Cox, chief executive of Core Media.

The move comes after another ad agency, Havas Media Ireland, said that it was consulting with clients such as Hyundai, Emirates and the FAI over whether or not to suspend ad campaigns on YouTube and Google.

Companies such as Marks & Spencer, McDonald's and Tesco have already withdrawn advertising in the UK because of their ads being placed within extremist YouTube videos. Such videos include rape apologists, anti-Semitism and terrorist propaganda.

Irish Independent