Bulletin

 Issue #145

This gamble didn't pay off

A betting company’s digital ad was found to breach both the Wagering Code and the Code of Ethics last month. The ad showed a man holding a sign that said ‘Cashing Out is for Pussies.'

This ad was found by the Community Panel to be disparaging of people who wish to stop wagering and breached Section 2.9 of the Wagering Code. The phrasing of the ad was also found to be degrading to women by suggesting that they are weak, timid, soft or lesser than men and breached Section 2.1 of the Code of Ethics. The ad was discontinued.

This too shall pass

An insurance company’s TV ad featuring a car overtaking a motorbike rider raised concerns about unsafe driving practices.

The complainant was concerned that the overtaking driver did not have a clear view of the road ahead.

The Panel noted the advertiser’s response that the shot was seen from a low camera angle, and that the overtaking vehicle did have a clear view of the road ahead. This case was dismissed.

Big bad wolf

A hardware company’s TV ad that shows a woman throwing a man at a wall of bricks and knocking him unconscious has breached Section 2.3 (Violence) of the Code of Ethics.

 Even though it portrayed an exaggerated portrayal of an intruder, it depicted a very violent scene that was not related to the product.

The Community Panel’s decision to uphold the complaint was made in line with community concerns about violence and the ad has been discontinued.

You can find all determinations from the Ad Standards Community Panel online at AdStandards.com.au/cases

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