The most complained ads for 2023 have been revealed and a billboard promoting an OnlyFans page has been named the most complained about with more than 350 complaints.
That’s fair. I wouldn’t want to explain that to children.
The second-most complained about was an ad by Red Rooster that depicted someone stealing fried chicken.
Apparently, the viewing public thought it encouraged youth crime. I think there are a lot of drivers for youth crime, but an ad about deep-fried takeaway probably isn’t one of them.
Ad Standards dismissed the complaint. Sanity prevails.
Ad Standards executive director Richard Bean said there were more than 3500 complaints over 2023 which demonstrated the community’s “enthusiasm for holding businesses accountable”. Or they had too much time on their hands.
The third-most complained about ad was for Mars Wrigley gum depicting two women kissing. It wasn’t the kiss itself, more its ‘aggressive’ nature. Probably more honest were the complaints about it being a same-sex relationship.
Complaints were also dismissed.
Did you hate any ads this year? What was your favourite?
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