News

Holden’s ‘bloody caravaners’ ad most complained about ad for first half of 2015

A Holden ad has topped the half-yearly list for most complained about ads, pipping 2014’s most complained about company Ashley Maddison for the top-spot.

According to the Ad Standards Board, language, discrimination and sex, sexuality and nudity are the three main issues sparking complaints this year.

So far in 2015, the ASB has received over 2,700 complaints. Last year saw a record number, 5,600 complaints submitted.

The Holden ad, which features a man driving a Holden Colorado 7 and complaining about ‘Bloody caravaners‘ had 161 complaints which were collectively dismissed.

Ashley Maddison’s musical ad featuring men singing about “looking for someone other than my wife” sparked 138 complaints and resulted in the ad being banned. Ashley Maddison also scored ninth place on the list for the “looking for someone other than my wife” ad’s counterpart which featured women singing about “looking for someone other than my man”. The 30 complaints against that ad were dismissed.

Stan claimed third spot for its Rebel Wilson ad in which the comedian refers to a cat as a “big pussy”. The ad outraged 66 complainants however the Ad Standards Board ruled it did not break the AANA code.

Ad courtesy of Savvy Media Monitoring

In at fourth place was a TV for Fantastic Snacks Australia in which a woman licks chip flavouring off her husband’s lips. It generated 63 complaints which were dismssed.

Univelever Australia’s Lynx ad sparked 62 complaints outraged by shots of two men kissing. The complaints were dismissed but landed the ad the fifth spot on the most-complained about ads list.

Bingle Australia took out sixth place with 41 complaints against its ad featuring a CGI chimpanzee parachuting from a plane. The complaints were dismissed.

TV ads for Twentieth Century Fox’s ‘Poltergeist’ were too scary for some, sparking 36 complaints which were dismissed.

In at eighth place is a poster for The Body Shop which featured a naked male torso, with hemp leaf covering his groin. The 36 complaints were dismissed.

In at tenth place was Victorian Hearing’s outdoor campaign featuring a picture of a woman with a prawn behind her ear with the tag line “hearing aids are ugly”. The ads were banned after 21 complaints were received.

Victorian Hearing

The top 10:

  1.  Holden – Bloody Caravaners – Dismissed – 161 complaints
  2. Ashley Maddison – Avid Life men singing – Upheld – 138 complaints
  3. Stan – Big Pussy – Dismissed – 66 complaints
  4. Fantastic Snacks Australia – Wife licking husband’s lips – Dismissed – 63 complaints
  5. Unilever Australia – Two Men Kissing – Dismissed – 62 complaints
  6. Bingle Insurance – Chimpanzee – Dismissed – 41 compalints
  7. Twentieth Century Fox – Poltergeist – Dismissed – 36 complaints
  8. The Body Shop – naked male torso – Dismissed – 36 complaints
  9. Ashely Maddison – Avid Life women singing – Dismissed – 30 complaints
  10. Victorian Hearing – Hearing aids are ugly – Upheld – 21 complaints

Miranda Ward 

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.