The advertising industry’s self-regulatory body Ad Standards has released a list of the most-complained-about ads in 2022.
The organisation says it investigated more than 250 ads and found 50 were in breach of the rules.
“Australia’s advertising codes exist to make sure ads on all media are responsible and align with community standards,” Ad Standards executive director Richard Bean told Mumbrella. “While most comply with the rules, there are some ads that cross the line – and that’s where we step in.”
A PointsBet ad featuring basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal speaking in exaggerated accents and using Australian colloquialisms was the most complained ad.
“While the Ad Standards Community Panel acknowledged these concerns, they found the ad contained self-deprecating humour which would be seen by most to celebrate Australians rather than ridicule them. It was therefore found not in breach of the rules,” said Bean.
The second most-complained-about ad was for loan provider Nimble, which featured a supposedly comical character with a permanently open mouth called Bill Shock.
The ad was deemed by some viewers to be discriminatory, with Ad Standards upholding the complaint.
One viewer who lodged a complaint said the ad appeared to making fun of a person due to their disability.
The third most-complained-about advertisement was an Uber Eats TV ad starring Paris Hilton and the Irwin family.
Some viewers complained that the ad was violent due to a scene that suggested a snake had eaten a chihuahua.
Number four was a billboard ad for the Gotham City House of Sin brothel in South Melbourne, which featured a woman dressed in black lingerie, described by those who complained as “exploitative” and “degrading”.
The fifth most-complained-about ad was for the supernatural horror film The Black Phone, starring Ethan Hawke. Many said it was too violent.
Do you have any to add to the list or do you think some on the list shouldn’t be there?
.
