Libra tops the list of most complained about ads for 2019
Advertising watchdog Ad Standards has revealed the 10 advertisements which received the most complaints throughout 2019.
Coming in at the top with 738 complaints was Libra’s #BloodNormal campaign, which depicted images of women going about everyday tasks whilst on their periods, such as showering and swimming, and used red liquid instead of blue to demonstrate the absorbency of pads.
When the panel handed down its ruling in September, dismissing the complaints, Ad Standards confirmed to Mumbrella that #BloodNormal had received over 600 complaints, making it the most complained about ad of the year. Now it is the second most complained about ad of all time, behind Sportsbet’s ‘Manscaping’ ad from 2018 which received 793.
The bewildering thing about this graded list of disliked ads, is that the most disliked is actually well written, honestly concieved, cleverly produced and universally true to life.
The rest of them range from unbelievably dull, poor and unimaginative, to tasteless, low brow, infantile and offensive.
It may be true, like the need to use toilet paper, but I don’t want to see it on tv.
The Libra ad was just wrong and really shows how far creatives and marketing people can miss the mark.
I thought the Libra one was good!
Re: Sydney 2100
Whenever anyone says somethng is “just wrong” I am left wondering what it is that is so wrong that it couldn’t be identified.
Also, what mark did the marketing people miss?
I can remember when condoms (French Letters) were wrapped in brown paper and stored in a draw behind the chemist’s counter, so were sanitary napkins. I also remember when the word “pregnant” could not be used on radio or TV when appropriately referring to humans, and any pregnant woman seen on the street or in the media, had to wear a voluminous smock to hide the indecent bulge.
Blue liquid to represent blood is “Just Wrong” because it avoids the facts of our existence, just like the plain wrapped condoms, napkins and the voluminous smock.
Ultra Tune is fourth? It should be top. Sad that Australians complained so much about something refreshingly honest about women’s health!
I really liked the Libra ad – bit I still won’t buy their tampons.