Friday 5 October 2018

Yes, Clearly, This Is What We Need An Advertising Standards Agency For...

An advert for Costa Coffee has been banned...
 Oh? Was it potentially dangerous? Or inaccurate?
...for urging customers to buy a bacon roll rather than avocados.
 *blinks*
Two listeners complained that the ad, which aired in June, discouraged people from opting for fresh fruit.
 Two? Two?!
...in its ruling, the Advertising Standards Authority said consumers would interpret the ad as a comparison between the experience of eating an avocado and a bacon roll or egg muffin.
"We considered that, although the ad was light-hearted, it nevertheless suggested avocados were a poor breakfast choice, and that a bacon roll or egg muffin would be a better alternative, and in doing so discouraged the selection of avocados," the ASA said.
Good grief! Now, either the staff misread their acronym and thought they worked for the Avocado Satisfaction Authority, or this is some bonkers piece of EU legislation that...

Oh.
All radio and television adverts must comply with the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP) which states that comparisons between foods must not discourage fruit and vegetables. The advert now must not be broadcast again, and Costa has been told to make sure its future ads do not "condone or encourage poor nutritional habits".
/facepalm

11 comments:

PJH said...

" Two? Two?!"

Be grateful so many did complain.

They are known to regularly ban adverts based upon one complaint - or if they're in one of their make-work moods, and create their own complaints, none.

Demetrius said...

We had bacon omelette for brekkers. You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs.

Pat said...

So is it now compulsory to sell avocados, since apparently they must be advertised?

ARRYS Dad said...

I was at an early meeting yesterday. All the bacon muffins were eaten, The green 'muck' on toast left. No advertising required

Agammamon said...

"Two listeners complained that the ad, which aired in June, discouraged people from opting for fresh fruit."

Do . . . do they not know what avocados are? They're basically a big old fat pill. They can't be any *better* for breakfast than bacon.

Anonymous said...

English avo’s are crap! They’ve been transported from the subtropics and are mostly unhappy about it. Eat local, eat bacon!

Anonymous said...

No need to pay for bacon adverts.
As with coffee just let the aroma drift into the street.
Or maybe the smell of avocados has to have an equal airing.

Longrider said...

But bacon is better than avocado...

Lynne: ex-Counting Cats said...

I loathe avocados. They are like solidified petroleum jelly in a jacket.

JuliaM said...

"...or if they're in one of their make-work moods, and create their own complaints, none."

Would we really be worse off if they ceased to exist?

"No advertising required"

Heh!

"Do . . . do they not know what avocados are? They're basically a big old fat pill."

You don't understand. They are green. So they must be better for you. That's SCIENCE!

JuliaM said...

"No need to pay for bacon adverts.
As with coffee just let the aroma drift into the street."


That, and fresh bread!

"But bacon is better than avocado..."

Avos only use if for guacamole. With so much chilli you have to wipe the sweat off your brow.

"They are like solidified petroleum jelly in a jacket."

It's the texture!