The ads we love to hate
THOUSANDS of Aussies have lashed out at adverts which feature two-inch long nipples, inappropriate shaving and blokes singing about how they want to meet women “other than their wives”.
Now, national watchdog Ad Standards has released a breakdown of the commercials we collectively complained about the most from 1998 to 2018.
And, adverts appear to be either becoming more offensive or Australians are becoming more easily offended, because 2018 has been a record-breaking year for complaints.
“In a record few months, 2018 has produced two of the most complained about advertisements in Ad Standards’ 20year history reflecting ongoing community concerns about sexuality and nudity, violence, and health and safety in advertising,” a spokesman for the watchdog said.
Here are some of the most complained about ads of the past 20 years:
Sportsbet, 2018 — complaints upheld
The industry watchdog was bombarded with 792 com- plaints after an which depicts a man shaving his genitals.
Angry viewers took to social media to lambast the betting firm for broadcasting the ad during a NRL match on Channel 9 at a time when children were watching.
iSelect, 2018 — complaints upheld
This bizzare advert attract- ed 715 complaints and was eventually banned for showing “extreme anger” and “violence”.
It depicts a woman smashing an Easter bunny shaped pinata after receiving bad news about rising insurance premiums.
Ashley Madison, 2014 — complaints upheld
Infamous extramarital dating service Ashley Madison raised eyebrows and caused 643 complaints with this cringe-inducing commercial in which men can be heard singing about looking for someone other than their wives.
Ultra Tune, 2016 — complaints dismissed
This campaign, which was deemed by some viewers as “discriminatory and degrading”, shows two women in skin-tight outfits declaring that they are “into rubber”.
It attracted 419 complaints on the grounds of discrimination, exploitation and degra- dation, and sex, sexuality and nudity.
Meat and Livestock Australia, 2016 — complaints dismissed
This controversial Australia Day ad was criticised for inciting hatred towards vegans and attracted 676 complaints.
It featured iconic Australian news anchor Lee Lin Chin and includes a scene showing a military officer taking a blow torch to a vegan’s apartment.
YouFoodz, 2017 — complaints upheld
An “unforkin-believable” advert from Youfoodz drew 307 complaints for its “strong or obscene language”.
The young boy in the clip uses the term “forking” in what was a clear reference to another term — but some viewers said it was “totally inappropriate” for the timeslot. Mentos gum, 2006 — complaints dismissed
A bizarre advert — which shows a man’s nipples growing obscenely long after he eats Mentos gum — drew 283 complaints.
Here are some of the complaints: “It is stomach churning…” “…two-inch long nipples have nothing to do with mints.”