New Decisions: Cold & flu product advertising during COVID-19, and more
The following decisions have been released to the ASA website:
Complaint 20/082 Turks, Digital Marketing, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/169 Beef and Lamb, Digital Marketing, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/101 GlaxoSmithKline, Anoro, NZ Doctor, Digital Marketing, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/125 Restaurant Brands, KFC, Television, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/187 Showerdome, Television, Settled
Complaint 20/193 Reckitt Benckiser, Nurofen Cold and Flu PE, Television, Settled
Complaint 20/199 Onechoice, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/201 Powershop, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/204 SPCA, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/208 Ecosa, Digital Marketing, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/192 Living Church of God, Tomorrows World, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/194 Johnson & Johnson, Sudafed, Television, Settled
Complaint 20/200 Sub 180 Entertainment, Website, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/219 Lotto NZ, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/110 iHerb, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/120 Nelson Tasman Cremations Direct, Print, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/141 Lagans Pharmacy, Print, Settled
Complaint 20/191 Craft Brewing Co, Digital Marketing, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/209 Novus, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/210 ALT NZ, Radio, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/212 Chinese Consulate General, Print, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/213 Tasti Products, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/214 McLay Boats, Digital Marketing, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/215 One Choice, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/218 Southland Building Society (SBS), Print, No Grounds to Proceed
Nurofen Cold and Flu ad withdrawn
The television advertisement for Nurofen Cold and Flu PE tablets showed “Carl, the IT guy” sick in bed while his workplace struggled without him. The voiceover said: “Carl takes Nurofen Cold and Flu PE so Carl can go back to being Carl, the IT guy.” A much healthier looking Carl is shown back at the office. The text in the advertisement says “…relieves the symptoms of cold and flu… If symptoms persist talk to your health professional.”
Eighteen complaints were received with complainants concerned the advertisement was socially irresponsible because it promoted returning to work after experiencing flu-like symptoms, contrary to New Zealand Government advice. In their response, the Advertiser noted the advertisement was already withdrawn following concerns raised by the Ministry of Health regarding the messaging being in contradiction to public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chair noted the Complainants’ concerns the advertisement was socially irresponsible, misleading and unsafe, and acknowledged the Advertiser had withdrawn the advertisement. The Chair ruled the complaint was settled.
Johnson & Johnson removes Sudafed Nasal Spray ad
The Sudafed television advertisement by Johnson & Johnson promotes Sudafed Nasal Spray. It shows a woman with a blocked nose in a bathroom before a job interview. The advertisement states the product is fast acting and provides relief for up to 12 hours. The advertisement concludes with the woman attending her job interview without any evidence of a blocked nose.
The Complainant was concerned the advertisement was irresponsible as it encouraged those with cold symptoms to attend work during a global pandemic.
The Chair noted the Advertiser’s self-regulatory action in removing the advertisement in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ruled the matter was settled.
