Review of Operations 2019

The Ad Standards Review of Operations 2019 is now online at AdStandards.com.au.

Key achievements in 2019 include the launch of a major media campaign to raise awareness of the wide range of social issues covered by the advertising Codes in Australia, and the brand value of the Codes to advertisers.

In 2019, 5,241 complaints were lodged by consumers, with the Ad Standards Community Panel deliberating on 368 ads across the range of online and offline media channels covered by the advertising Codes and Initiatives.

Premiums must not appear as a product

A reminder to advertisers that all ad content targeted to children for children’s products needs to comply with the AANA Code for Advertising & Marketing Communications to Children. This comes after complaints about an ad for premiums in the form of collectable toys were upheld under four different sections of the Children’s Code which are not commonly complained about.

Advertisers can take advantage of the Ad Standards Copy Advice Service in advance of publication for expert guidance on how their ad reflects the advertising Codes and Initiatives.

The rule of three

Three cases generated by complainants against a community awareness ad which spanned across social media, internet and Pay TV platforms have all been dismissed by the Community Panel. The ads which depicted the risk of accessing pirated content online were complained about for potential breaches to Sections 2.1 and 2.6 of the Code.

If it’s against the law, then it’s probably against the Codes

An ad for a ride-sharing company has been upheld for breaches to the health and safety section of the AANA Code of Ethics after an independent review request was lodged by the original complainant. The ad showed content which violated Section 189 of the NSW road rules and therefore breached the prevailing community standards on road safety.