Electoral Commission spokesperson distances campaign from similarities to The 1975

As reported yesterday, The 1975 have accused a referendum campaign video from the EU Commission of ripping off the band’s imagery.

Neon-lit pink is the theme for latest album ‘I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it’. And frontman Matty Healy pointed out similarities between the band’s campaign and that of The 2016 EU referendum voting guide.

Director Nadia Marquard Otze is behind the campaign, and she actually once worked with The 1975 on their ‘Settle Down’ video, in 2014.

In new comments to The Fader, an Electoral Commission spokesperson didn’t outright deny the similarities, instead stating: “The visuals of the campaign are designed to ‘cut through’ the noise that everyone will be hearing about the E.U. referendum by creating eye-catching advertising ‘you can’t miss.’ The visual aspect is based on a successful campaign the Commission ran ahead of the Scottish referendum where by polling day, 84% of people surveyed said they recognized the advertising.”

So that’s sort of an apology but more a let’s-change-the-subject-shall-we official comment.