Bulletin

February 2020 #116

An important lesson in clarity

The Ad Standards Community Panel have recently upheld two advertisements for misleading content under the AANA Food and Beverages Code.

A website listing Australia under the word ‘source’ for crushed garlic was found to have misled consumers into thinking the contents were from Australia, whilst a fast food promotional voucher failed to clearly detail that it was only redeemable at certain outlets.

The confusing nature and lack of clarity of each ad prompted the Community Panel to find both cases misleading and in breach of the Code.

Just because you think it’s funny, doesn’t mean it’s OK

An ad depicting a group of elderly people being herded onto a bus by a man on a horse with a whip has been found by the Community Panel to be in breach of the AANA Code of Ethics on the basis of discrimination and vilification.

Using humour in ads is a great way of engaging viewers but advertisers need to ensure their content is in line with wider community standards by complying with the Codes.

You can find all Community Panel determinations on the website at AdStandards.com.au/cases

Last chance to nominate awesome ads

So many great ads with #kinderconditions being nominated for recognition - so little time left to nominate your favourite ads! Round two closes COB Tuesday 10 March.

Go to the Ad Standards website to nominate the awesome ads you’ve created – or seen – which deserve praise for going above and beyond the high standards set in the advertising Codes.

Code changes make advertising fresh fruit and veg to kids easier

Changes to the AANA Food and Beverages Code this week will make it easier for advertisers to comply with the Codes when promoting fresh fruit and vegetables to children in line with healthy eating guidelines.

The updated Code and Practice Note are now available at AdStandards.com.au.

New Ad Standards government submission online

The latest Ad Standards government submission for the Review of Australian classification regulation is now available online.

All Ad Standards’ submissions to government enquiries are published to the Ad Standards website.