ASA - Advertising Standards Authority

The following decisions have been released to the ASA website:
Complaint 20/420 The Advance New Zealand Party, Unaddressed Mail, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/469 Vote No to End of Life Bill Act, Digital Marketing, Upheld
Complaint 20/474 Vote No to End of Life Bill Act, Print, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/483 Ministry of Justice, Addressed Mail and Print, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/484 SAM Smart Approaches to Marijuana NZ Coalition, Say Nope to Dope, Print, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/487 Vote Safe NZ, Unaddressed Mail, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/489 Vote Safe NZ, Unaddressed Mail, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/490 NZ Labour Party, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/358 Appeal 20/016 New Conservative Party, Unaddressed Mail, Appeal Declined, Complaint Upheld in part
Complaint 20/287 Plant Culture, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/326 Goodman Fielder, Meadow Fresh, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/367 AWAP 20/002 John Appleton, Lypo Spheric Vitamin C, Website and Print, Upheld in part, Not Upheld in part, Settled in Part
Complaint 20/385 Yes for Compassion, Votesmart.co.nz, Facebook, Website, Settled and Decline to Adjudicate
Complaint 20/399 GSK and Simone Anderson, Instagram, Not Upheld
Complaint 20/406 Cabana Latina, Digital Marketing, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/430 The Filter Room, Radio, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/432 McDonalds, Monopoly, Poster, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/488 Vote No to the End of Life Act, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/491 NZ National Party, Twitter, Decline to Adjudicate
Complaint 20/492 NZ National Party, Facebook, Decline to Adjudicate
Complaint 20/493 NZ National Party, Facebook, Decline to Adjudicate
Complaint 20/495 NZ National Party, Facebook, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/500 Friends & Friends of Friends, We Do Support, Out of Home, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/503 The Advance New Zealand Party, Print, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/356 National Brands, Nitro, Facebook, Settled
Complaint 20/389 2Degrees, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/396 AWAP 20/003 Meridian Energy Limited, Television, Upheld
Complaint 20/403 Brother NZ, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/426 30 Seconds, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/444 The Safety Warehouse, Radio, Settled
Complaint 20/504 SAM Smart Approaches to Marijuana NZ Coalition, Digital Marketing, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/505 NZ Drug Foundation, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/424 Brand Developers, iTread, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/459 Restaurant Brands, KFC, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/475 Restaurant Brands, KFC, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/506 The Advance New Zealand Party, Unaddressed Mail, Upheld
Complaint 20/507 NZ Social Credit Party, Facebook, Upheld
Complaint 20/508 Its Not Fair, Digital Marketing, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/510 Yes for Compassion, Facebook, No Grounds to Proceed

Nitro ad removed following binge drinking complaint

The ASA received a complaint regarding a Nitro Vodka Facebook advertisement, promoting Nitro Vodka cans. The advertisement showed a key and two cans of Nitro, each with a grenade lever and pin and the accompanying text; “SHOTG#N OF FUN” and “SLEEP WHEN YOU’RE DEAD”. The wording in the body of the advertisement said: “Who’s smashed back a couple of NITRO GRENADE’S lately? Complete with keyhole entry for a wee SHOTG#N of FUN.”

The Complainant was concerned the advertisement promoted binge drinking and a high level of alcohol consumption. The Chair noted the Advertiser’s self-regulatory action taken in removing the advertisement following notification of the complaint, and ruled the complaint was settled.

Simone Anderson Panadol ad did not breach Code

The Instagram advertisement featured a photo of Simone Anderson sitting on a yoga mat, hugging a dog. Under the photo was the text “AD / Did you know research* has shown more than half of Kiwi families have experienced stress recently. A new campaign by @panadolanz has launched to encourage Kiwis to Rethink Care, with mindfulness sitting at the top of the mental health to-do list…”
Beneath the main caption were “#Panadol #LetsRethinkCare #sponsored” and “Use Panadol for the temporary relief of pain. Always read the label. Use only as directed…”

Five Complainants raised concerns it was irresponsible and dangerous to suggest Panadol could help with stress, there is no clinical indication that Panadol can relieve the feeling of being stressed and were concerned the message could affect vulnerable people.

Simone Anderson and the Advertiser, GSK, defended the advertisement, saying the intended message was to promote a holistic approach to health and consider mindfulness and meditation to improve mental health.

The Complaints Board said the advertisement was not misleading and did not encourage inappropriate use or purchase of Panadol. The Board said the advertisement is encouraging brand engagement around the topic of mindfulness, motivating consumers to have a wellness focus and look after themselves. The Board said the inclusion of the statement about Panadol and temporary pain relief along with the text “Use only as directed” is standard wording required when referencing a medicine and the Board did not consider it made an association with the product and treating stress. The Board ruled the complaint was Not Upheld.