Advertising Standards Authority complaint template

[Alan H]

I've done a fair few complaints to the ASA and have a very simple Word document template that I use to gather the info required and to write my complaint in, rather than try to do it all in the on-line form. Once I'm happy with it, I just copy and paste into the online form. When I get an acknowledgement, I enter their reference number at the top so I can keep track of them - I have at least six complaints in at the moment!

Please feel free to use and amend to suit your own purposes.

[jdc]

This could be very useful - thanks.

[Maria Mac]

The ASA's website is full of interesting information and case studies. It's fascinating to see what people have complained about. My favourite one so far is little matter of the Crazy Frog's cock. Sorry to be so crude, I just thought it was funnier putting it that way.

Viewers had noticed that Crazy Frog was very definitely male due to a protrusion that stuck out from his cartoon body. The complainants found this inappropriate. Some were worried about children seeing this kind of advertising material whilst a few parents had felt embarrassed by some of the questions their children had asked them.

[Alan C.]

whilst a few parents had felt embarrassed by some of the questions their children had asked them

Sad gits is all I can say.

[Maria Mac]

I think the ASA thought so too, Alan. Seems they laughted the complaints out of court.

[Nick]

I expect you know already, Alan H, but I've heard an ad on Classic fm that says that the ASA now covers web-sites too. I don't know how long that has been in force. Ah! Hours of fun ahead of you!

[Alan H]

Yes, it starts on 1st March. It's going to keep us very busy! ;-)

I mentioned it on my blog (and here) when it was announced last year and there is more on it from the ASA here.