Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code sets record number of complaints in 2021
The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) has concluded a busy year with record levels of activity across both the ABAC pre-vetting service and the ABAC complaints system.
“High demand for ABAC’s pre-vetting service continues, with a new record level of pre-vetting requests received in 2021, (3,336 pre-vetting requests) up 38% on last year.”
VB advertising was found to have breached the ABAC Standard
ABAC chair, Harry Jenkins AO, commented: “We were pleased to see this upward trend continue, in particular an increase in pre-vetting of social media campaigns. Pre-vetting is the easiest and most efficient way for marketers to ensure their promotions and packaging are responsible before hitting the marketplace. Pre-vetting may be undertaken by both signatories and non-signatories and we encourage all alcohol producers, distributors and retailers to utilise this valuable service.”
“2021 also set a new record for complaints and determination levels, with 288 complaints and 153 determinations. It is a credit to the chief adjudicator, the Hon professor Lavarch AO and everyone that supports and participates in the process, that all complaints were considered promptly,” Jenkins said.
In addition, the vast majority of breaches were promptly remedied with only one breach last year referred to the relevant liquor licensing authority for investigation due to non-compliance.
Some brands to have breached the code included Better Beer, W Seltzer, Hard Fizz, VB, Culture Kick Sour Ale, Grey Goose Vodka, XXXX, 4 Pines, and White Claw.
“During 2021, digital marketing was again the largest source of complaints considered by the panel, by a significant margin. ABAC regulates all social media activity generated by or within the reasonable control of alcohol marketers, including user generated content. It is important that agencies and staff developing social campaigns for alcohol marketers understand and work within the ABAC standards, in particular ensuring that available age restriction controls are applied to all alcohol marketing, which is an area that will be monitored in 2022.”
Jenkins added: “In response to higher complaint levels, ABAC increased its training initiatives in 2021. In particular, with the launch in March of an online training course and video series available free of charge on the ABAC website.”
The ABAC Q4 2021 report is available to view in full here.
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topics
4 Pines
ABAC
Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code
complaints
Grey Goose Vodka
Harry Jenkins
Pre-vetting
White Claw
XXXX
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