Top 10 most complained about UK ads in 2005
1. KFC: 1,671 complaints - not upheld.
In this, the most complained about ad ever, call centre workers were shown singing with their mouths full. Objectors said the TV ad encouraged bad manners among children but the ASA considered that teaching good manners is a continual process that would not be undermined by seeing this ad.
2. Living TV: 650 complaints - not upheld.
A poster campaign for the series The L Word attracted complaints for being degrading to women, offensive and unsuitable for viewing by children. The complaints were rejected.
3. Pot Noodle: 620 complaints - not upheld.
A TV ad showing a man trying to conceal a brass horn in his trousers. Complainants said the ad was tasteless and offensive but we considered it would not offend when shown after 9pm.
4. Mazda: 425 complaints - not upheld.
This TV ad showed a female mannequin getting aroused during a car ride. Complaints that the ad was offensive and portrayed women as sex objects were rejected.
5. Ryanair: 319 complaints - not upheld.
This national press ad appeared eight days after the London tube bombings, headlined "London fights back". Complaints that the ad was disrespectful were rejected in favour of the advertisers' argument that they were encouraging defiance against terrorism.
6. Jamster: 298 complaints - upheld.
The prolific Crazy Frog TV ads attracted complaints that they did not make clear that people responding would be drawn into subscription contracts and that they appealed to children. The complaints were upheld on both points.
7. Barclays Bank: 293 complaints - upheld.
This TV ad showed a man having an adverse reaction to an insect sting. The ASA agreed that the ad could cause serious offence to those with a similar affliction and the ad was taken off air.
8. Damart: 273 complaints - upheld.
This mailing was found to be misleading and distressing because the envelope implied that the recipients were in debt.
9. Fanta Z: 272 complaints - upheld.
Another TV ad that attracted complaints because it encouraged bad manners - in this case because it showed people spitting out the product. The ASA agreed with the complainants' assertion that the ad could encourage emulation and the ad was given a post-9pm restriction.
10. Channel 5: 197 complaints - upheld.
This mailing attracted complaints that it was distressing and misleading as it contained a crime dossier of information that suggested there was a serial killer on the loose whose victims all bore the same name as the mailing's recipient.
The Guardian
In this, the most complained about ad ever, call centre workers were shown singing with their mouths full. Objectors said the TV ad encouraged bad manners among children but the ASA considered that teaching good manners is a continual process that would not be undermined by seeing this ad.
2. Living TV: 650 complaints - not upheld.
A poster campaign for the series The L Word attracted complaints for being degrading to women, offensive and unsuitable for viewing by children. The complaints were rejected.
3. Pot Noodle: 620 complaints - not upheld.
A TV ad showing a man trying to conceal a brass horn in his trousers. Complainants said the ad was tasteless and offensive but we considered it would not offend when shown after 9pm.
4. Mazda: 425 complaints - not upheld.
This TV ad showed a female mannequin getting aroused during a car ride. Complaints that the ad was offensive and portrayed women as sex objects were rejected.
5. Ryanair: 319 complaints - not upheld.
This national press ad appeared eight days after the London tube bombings, headlined "London fights back". Complaints that the ad was disrespectful were rejected in favour of the advertisers' argument that they were encouraging defiance against terrorism.
6. Jamster: 298 complaints - upheld.
The prolific Crazy Frog TV ads attracted complaints that they did not make clear that people responding would be drawn into subscription contracts and that they appealed to children. The complaints were upheld on both points.
7. Barclays Bank: 293 complaints - upheld.
This TV ad showed a man having an adverse reaction to an insect sting. The ASA agreed that the ad could cause serious offence to those with a similar affliction and the ad was taken off air.
8. Damart: 273 complaints - upheld.
This mailing was found to be misleading and distressing because the envelope implied that the recipients were in debt.
9. Fanta Z: 272 complaints - upheld.
Another TV ad that attracted complaints because it encouraged bad manners - in this case because it showed people spitting out the product. The ASA agreed with the complainants' assertion that the ad could encourage emulation and the ad was given a post-9pm restriction.
10. Channel 5: 197 complaints - upheld.
This mailing attracted complaints that it was distressing and misleading as it contained a crime dossier of information that suggested there was a serial killer on the loose whose victims all bore the same name as the mailing's recipient.
The Guardian
posted by theGoose at 1:06:00 PM
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