The ten most complained about ads of 2010
An ad for the Advanced Medical Institute was the most complained about of 2010, the Advertising Standards Bureau said today.
Of the ten ads that caused the most offence to the public this year, three had complaints against them upheld.
In total, the ASB received complaints about more than 520 advertisements, of which the more than 40 were found to have breached the Australian Association of National Advertisers’ code of ethics or other codes administered by the ASB.
The complained about ads:
I have a complaint to make about the Ashley Madison TVC spot.
It’s only 30 seconds long.
@Tim. Maybe they need a Co-op marketing effort with AMI?
Haha the key complaint should have been….they are just shitty ads!!! Then i’m sure the board decisions would all HAVE to be upheld on that criteria!!!
How could they have just dismissed the AAMI “What about me” ads?
These are health hazards for everyone with standards and good taste.
Cant believe that no one complained about any bank ad claiming to be about helping the customer, being offensive and misleading?
Go figure. Personally, fond of the Libra ad – another one that “de-spooks” the whole menstruation thing. And, funny.
@Stephen oh god yes. When that woman shrieks “What about me” in a tone way above what it should be – it floors me every time. I dive for the remote to mute before it gets to her. Failing is usually quite upsetting.
@jbb Agreed. Love it, very amusing.
I don’t quite understand why the TVC for Ashley Madison was allowed where as the outdoor ad was not? They both should have been pulled.
Agree with Anonymous above – any explanations included with the judgements, Tim?
Who complains about sexual references in an ad for SEXPO!?
This world is full of morons.
Surely the VicRoads one would just make people use their mobile phones even more whale in the car, not less…..
I have a complaint regarding the FoxMas add, it sounds like F-c-smas.
What is ashley Madison?
Advanced Medical Institute are (edited by Mumbrella for legal reasons), and their ads are frankly distasteful.
Ashley Madison is a repulsive business (helping people have affairs) but I’m afraid we can’t outlaw it.
Sexpo should just make sure their ads are posted where they’ll only be seen by the appropriate demographic (such as in adult bookshops and the like). The general public doesn’t need to see that crap on a busy road. There’s a reason strip clubs need covered windows.
Fernwood are merely cheapening themselves. It’s sad to see.
Calvin Klein? Like sexpo, just keep such ads to the right places, such as mens’ mags / rags.
@Oz Dean I have to admit I have 2 policies about bad advertising:
1 – I won’t buy their product until they change their ad. Since advertising is meant to convince people to do the opposite I think this is the fairest way to send them a message.
2 – I change the channel immediately (if it’s live TV, otherwise I just fast forward). It sometimes means I miss a little bit of the show I’m watching, but I don’t care. Some ads are utterly offensive. And not in the “oh dear, nudity” way … in the “how did this get approved by the client, let alone the agency” way.