Update from Richard Bean, Executive Director

It’s been a busy start to 2024 with more than 20 decisions published since January. I’m also really pleased to announce that we’ve recently partnered with advertising intelligence platform Bigdatr to further improve the effectiveness of advertising self-regulation in Australia. 

The partnership empowers us with seamless access to their advertising creative database which means we can quickly identify ads that are the subject of community complaints. This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to ensure every ad is a responsible ad.  

Take a look at our media release to learn more.

Pool monster

This Budget Direct ad featured a pool cleaner coming to life after being struck by lightning. It damages a home and terrifies its occupants. 

Complainants were concerned that the ad was too violent, and scary for children.  

The Community Panel found that while the ad is clearly unrealistic, it depicts a violent and frightening scene in which people are threatened. The Panel considered that the depiction of a family being attacked was not justifiable in the promotion of an insurance service. The ad breached Section 2.3 (Violence) of the AANA Code of Ethics.

Upheld - AANA Code of Ethics (Violence) 

Race mode

A TV ad for Volkswagen featured a man driving a car inside a building using the car's race mode feature.  

The ad raised concerns about unsafe driving. 

The Community Panel considered that the camera angle and sound effects create the impression of a vehicle driving at an unsafe speed in an enclosed space. The complaint was upheld and the ad breached Section 2(a) - Unsafe driving of the FCAI Code.

Upheld - FCAI Code 2(a) - Unsafe driving

Delivery beats

A TV ad for Menulog featured Christina Aguilera and Latto. 

A complainant was concerned that the ad was too sexual and inappropriate for children. 

The Community Panel considered that the women were wearing outfits consistent with every-day fashion and the level of nudity was not explicit or inappropriate to be viewed by a broad audience. The complaint was dismissed. 

Dismissed - AANA Code of Ethics (Sex/sexuality/nudity)

Hungry for more? Check out these recently published decisions

• Dominos - Upheld |Health and safety
• Paramount - Dismissed | Sex/sexuality/nudity
• Polestar - Upheld | Unsafe driving
• Apple - Dismissed| Health and safety
• Woodside Energy - Dismissed |Truthful and factual
   

Find all the latest decisions at adstandards.com.au/cases

Have your say about the new Environmental Claims Code

The AANA’s Environmental Claims Code Exposure Draft is now open for feedback. Submissions are due by Friday 22 March.  

New Community Panel members 

We’re pleased to have welcomed a few new faces (and voices) to the Ad Standards Community Panel. The new Community Panel members represent a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. They will join 20 other Community Panel members who meet regularly to consider complaints about advertising.