Current News and Media Releases
2016 Annual Report Released
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has released its 2016 annual report. In 2016 the ASA received 586 formal complaints and responded to 273 enquiries from media, advertisers and agencies about advertisements prior to publication or broadcast.
Sales Promotion Schemes
A sales promotion scheme is a popular marketing technique used when an advertiser offers the chance to go in to the draw to win something after purchasing their product or service.
New Decisions: Claims of Sexism, Hidden Costs and More
A radio advertisement for Ben Holden Fencing featured Ben Holden reading the following script “Your wife jumping the fence boys? Fence her in today – Phone me, Ben Holden, fencing service with integrity. Ben Holden – Keeping marriages together since 1969! I’ve got you covered lads.”
New Decisions: Pool Safety, Medicine Claims and More
ANZ Ltd’s television advertisement showed two children approach a tall wooden fence. The boy clambers onto the girl’s shoulders and peers over to next door, where a man is clearing leaves from his swimming pool. The girl calls out “Hey mister, what’s your pool doing later?”
New Decisions: Nutrients in milk, therapeutic claims and more
Fonterra’s Milk for Schools television advertisements promoted milk as “a great source of nutrition” and said calcium and protein build strong bones, teeth and muscles in children. The Complainant said the use of the terms ‘long-term health benefits’ and ‘goodness of milk’ were misleading and inaccurate and would lead to long-term harm and illness for
2017 Election Advertising
Advertisers, agencies and the media have obligations around the content of election advertising, election programmes and other election-related material in broadcast, print and digital media. There are detailed rules in both the Electoral Act 1993 and the Broadcasting Act 1989 on what political parties, candidates and third parties can and cannot do when campaigning. Some… Read More
New Decisions: Gas station’s mobile app, safe sex messages and more
The 30-second BP Oil television advertisement featured a man at a BP station avoiding a woman by using a BPMe app which allowed him to pay from his car. The Complainant was concerned the advertisement was irresponsible since every filling station had signs informing customers to switch their mobile phones off
New Decisions: Health Supplements, Tourist Guides and More
The booklet-style visitors’ guide titled “Visit Picton & Waikawa Bay, Marlborough Sounds NZ” contains advertisements for a range of attractions and statements about Picton and the surrounding area. The Complainant said some of the advertisements and claims in the visitor guide were misleading.
Lions Tour Advertising Restrictions
This Lions Tour has been designated as a Major Event under the Major Event Management Act (MEMA). The MEMA provides protection to organisers and sponsors of major events from ambush marketing. The MEMA recognises that major events rely on sponsors making very large financial commitments. Other advertisers are not allowed to free-ride on the sponsors’ investments and trade off the goodwill and publicity surrounding an event.
New Decisions: Swear Words, Sale Pricing and More
A television advertisement promoting Village Roadshow’s film “Red Dog True Blue” included short clips from the film which is set in Western Australia. One of the excerpts showed a man saying “Where’s my bloody shaving cream?” In the following shot was a dog, which appeared to have shaving cream on its face.
