Banned Adverts Research

We felt it was import review over some cases of banned adverts as it allows us to put our ideas into perspective without worrying if our advert may in some aspects possibly cause offence and could gain complaints if our advert were to be broadcasted on television. We have also learnt how strict the regulations have to be enforced to make sure that when a new advert is broadcasted it does not receive negative complaints or offend any type of people, like discrimination for example.

Information source: (ASA) [Advertising Standards Authority]

Each year, the UK public sees many millions of ads, direct marketing and digital communications about products, services, charities, causes and awareness campaigns. The vast majority are responsible and comply with the advertising rules.

Last year the ASA received nearly 29,000 complaints. They thoroughly assessed every one of those concerns and investigated the ads that seemed to breach the rules. As a result, nearly 2,400 ads were changed or withdrawn in 2009. The advertising watchdog said in its annual report that it had received 26,433 complaints in 2008, the highest amount ever, about 15,556 adverts, also a record number.

The ASA said: “Many people found the repeated scenes of violence and drug-taking upsetting and challenged whether the ads caused serious or widespread offence.

“We did not doubt that the distress or offence described by many of the complainants was deeply felt. However, we considered the ads were scheduled appropriately and their aim justified the use of strong imagery.”

When going into research of some of these banned adverts I cam across this banned KFC advert from the UK. Apparently banned for bad manners and showing little profession working at an emergency help line. This advert received a record number of complaints and was withdrawn from UK television. This example shows how such little things can make such a big impact.