Advertising Standards Authority releases latest Complaint Decisions

• 14 advertisements across social media, online, leaflet, radio, press, direct email, television and digital were found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code on grounds related to a range of issues including Misleading, Substantiation, E-Cigarettes, Promotional Marketing, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Environmental Claims and Health and Beauty

 The Advertising Standards Authority independent Complaints Committee has released its latest Complaints Bulletin, which contains 17 case reports on complaints recently investigated by the organisation.

14 of the 17 cases were upheld in full and two of the 17 cases were upheld in part. Advertisements across social media, online, leaflet, radio, press, direct email, television and digital were found to be in breach of the ASAI Code on grounds related to Misleading, Substantiation, E-Cigarettes, Promotional Marketing, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Environmental Claims and Health and Beauty. The Advertising Standards Authority received one intra industry / interested party complaint which was not upheld.

 The Complaints Committee is a completely independent arm of the ASAI and is responsible for considering and adjudicating on complaints submitted by the public, by an organisation, by a Government Department, or any other person or body. The Committee is made up of a range of experts from the advertising, media, education, consumer, and marketing sectors.

Commenting on the latest ASAI rulings, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, stated:

 “The latest complaints bulletin from the Advertising Standards Authority shows the extent of our scope in the Irish advertising industry, ensuring that advertisements are adhering to the high standards of the Advertising Standards Authority code. The Advertising Standards Authority fully investigates all complaints we receive to ensure that advertisements are legal, truthful, decent and honest for all Irish consumers.”

 “The Advertising Standards Authority also provides a free and confidential copy advice service to the advertising industry to help them create responsible ads that adhere to the advertising code. If an advertiser, agency, or medium has any concerns about a marketing communications’ compliance with the Advertising Standards Authority’s Code, they can contact us and avail of the free and confidential copy advice service.”

 A list of advertisements that have been found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code is available here.