Diablo

I'm confused.

Advert was on the telly last nigh (albeit after 9.00)

So press and poster ads banned, but telly ones ok


D

chiark

Looks like someone makes it their job to complain about any car advert...

See this one for another complaint, not upheld, against Vauxhall for their Astra SRI advert. The car is static and there's no hint of speed!

Oh look, the complaint on this one came from London too. (And Cardiff)

chiark

It gets better.

See this complaint and try not to chuckle...

Cadbury must have been laughing when they said they were shocked at the connection, and couldn't see it...

SD

Thanks for going to the effort Richard.

I've emailed them as well. Hope their mail sweeper isn't overly sensitive...

Bitten Hero

I don't claim to have written the e-mail - that was a friend of mine... with an MG ZS

Thanks for emailing them.

Cheers
Richard

SD

Hi guys.

Thought I'd bounce this back to the top as I got a reply from a "Donna Mitchell" who works in the Communications Team at the ASA. Her full reply is thus:



"Thank you for your comments on the recent ASA adjudication on the MG Rover advertising campaign. Please accept my apology for the delay in our response.

I note your disagreement with the ASA's decision on this matter.

The ASA's Council, the body charged with making the difficult decision as to whether or not an advertisement should be withdrawn or amended, is guided by the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion (The Codes), which state:

"Advertisers should not make speed or acceleration claims the predominant message of their advertisements. However it is legitimate to give general information about a vehicle's performance such as acceleration and mid-range statistics, braking power, roadholding and top speed." Indeed the Codes contain a specific set of rules on Motoring advertising and you can view
these on our website.

It is the ASA's job to interpret the Codes, and it is not a responsibility we take lightly. The ASA is completely independent of Government and is at the centre of a system of self-regulation. The Codes, which are administered by the ASA, are written by the advertising industry, which accepts its responsibility to keep advertisements legal, decent, honest and
truthful.

I accept that you are disappointed with our decision, but hope that the above helps to clarify our position.

Regards"



Basically she's saying that the advertisers make their own rules, then it's the ASA's job (working indepedantly of the government) to interpret those rules and apply them accordingly.

Where we are at odds it would seem is the interpretation of the rules! I don't think it places undue emphasis on speed. Neither, it would seem, do many of you.

Simon.