Industry warns against ‘self-appointed activist ad review board with zero authority’

Alcohol Advertising Review Board logoThe Advertising Standards Bureau today became the latest organisation to warn of confusion over a self-appointed “Alcohol Advertising Review Board” created by health campaigners as a rival to the industry-supported body.

The ASB warned that the alternative review board would have no power to ban ads, and had no support from advertisers or media owners. It said: “The current system of resolving complaints about alcohol ads has the support of industry and uses an effective, robust and quick process to review ads and remove them quickly if required.”

The ASB warned that the new board “Has no power to remove ads, no independent view and has not sought support for its work from the industry.”

The Alcohol Advertising Review Board is based at the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth at Curtin University. The new body’s website uses similar language to the existing ASB, including offering a section offering “determination reports”. The design and terminology of the site might makes it appear to be an official body to somebody who arrives via search looking for where to complain about an ad. It also features a large image warning: Your children see these adverts”.

Subscribe to keep reading

Join Mumbrella Pro to access the Mumbrella archive and read our premium analysis of everything under the media and marketing umbrella.

Subscribe

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

"*" indicates required fields

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.