Top 10 most complained about ads of 2012

10. St John Ambulance
144 complaints – Not upheld

This TV ad showed a man and his family coping with his cancer diagnosis, treatment and eventual recovery, only for him to die from choking to death because nobody nearby knew basic first aid Although the portrayal was distressing for some, the ASA felt the overall message of the ad – that learning simple first aid techniques could avoid tragedy – was justifiable.

9. Kayak Software Corporation
189 complaints – Upheld in part

The ASA ruled the TV ad, which gave a worryingly lighthearted take on a man receiving brain surgery, would be likely to cause stress without justifiable reason, especially to viewers who had been affected by the type of treatment portrayed in the ad. The watchdog did not uphold complaints the ad was offensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flov7Q6pQNk

8. Morrison Supermarkets
234 complaints – Not upheld

This ad prompted a number of complaints from vets, dog charities and dog lovers that it was irresponsible and harmful because it implied it was acceptable to feed Christmas pudding to dogs (consumer grapes and raisins can cause renal failure and sometimes death in the animals). The ASA, however, did not think the ad implied it was acceptable to copy the behaviour and that most dog owners would be aware of the toxicity of such food to their pets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUa4WWeFmPI

8. Kellogg’s
234 complaints – Not upheld

More than 200 viewers complained Kellogg’s version of snakes on a grain (sorry) was unduly distressing. The ASA acknowledged some viewers may find the theme of the Crunchy Nut Cornflakes ad distasteful but that most would view it as comical rather than graphic.

6. Paddy Power
311 complains – Out of remit

Viewers of this online video from the provocative bookmaker thought it was offensive to members of the transgender community. The channel was registered in Ireland, so the ad fell outside of the ASA’s remit, although it did uphold a small number of complaints about the same ad when it appeared on TV.

5. Kerry Foods
371 complaints – Upheld in part

The “Richmond Ham bum man”, as he was affectionately known on the Marketing Week news desk, sparked a hot debate on our website. The ASA ruled the nudity in the TV ad was not offensive but agreed with complainants that referring to the product as “Britain’s only ham” would be interpreted as meaning the product was British in origin – which was not the case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeD6HysO5kA

4. Channel 4
373 complaints – Upheld in part

Complaints about this poster and press campaign for Channel 4’s My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding show said the ads were offensive, racist and unfairly denigrated and degraded Gypsy and Traveller communities. After a request from the Independent Reviewer of ASA Adjudications to re-open the ASA’s investigation, it agreed some of the ads were offensive and irresponsible.

3. Asda
620 complaints – Not upheld

This ad, which featured a mother carrying out tasks in preparation for Christmas while her family lazily looked on, also sparked a fierce debate on the Marketing Week site as to whether it was sexist. The ASA did not uphold complaints saying it reflected Asda’s view of the Christmas experience for a significant number of its customers.

2. Gocompare.com
797 complaints – Not upheld

Sue Barker wielding a rocket launcher was certainly a sight to behold, but it was also a sight for sore eyes for almost 800 viewers. The ASA ruled the ad was not offensive or harmful because it showed over the top and fantastical behaviour and would be seen as light-hearted and comical and noted that Gio Compario was shown as not harmed at the end of the ad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT3paR9NNvA

1. Gocompare.com
1,008 – Not upheld

In its second and highest entry in the top 10 featured former footballer Stuart “Psycho” Pearce kicking a football into poor, abused Compario. The ASA ruled the ad was not offensive, irresponsible or harmful, because the ad was not explicit or gruesome and would be seen as light-hearted and comical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caOAk-V6P94