Advertising Standards Canada Releases Ad Complaints Report - 2014 Year In Review

TORONTO, March 25, 2015 /CNW/ - Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) today released its Ad Complaints Report- 2014 Year in Review. The Report provides information about consumers' complaints submitted to ASC in 2014 for review under the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (Code).

Complaints Snapshot:

• 1,274  complaints submitted about 864 advertisements
• 54%  of pursued complaints alleged inaccurate or misleading advertising
• 130  complaints received about retail advertising ‒ the highest by sector
• 80 complaints about 36 advertisements upheld by independent Standards Councils

"Through their complaints, Canadians tell us they are concerned about ads they believe are misleading or inaccurate, such as offers that were not honoured by retailers, and claims that could not be substantiated," stated Janet Feasby, Vice President, Standards, at ASC. "In addition, ads that viewers perceived as sexist and demeaning to women were of particular concern in Quebec," noted Danielle Lefrançois, ASC's Communications Manager in Quebec.

The 2014 Ad Complaints Report, as well as case summaries of consumers' complaints upheld by the Standards Councils are available at: adstandards.com

Advertising Standards Canada is the national advertising industry self-regulatory body. ASC administers the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, the principal instrument of advertising self-regulation in Canada, and accepts complaints from consumers about advertising. ASC's members include leading Canadian advertisers, advertising agencies and media organizations.

FACT SHEET
Advertising Standards Canada

• Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) is the national, not-for-profit, advertising industry self-regulatory body committed to ensuring the integrity and viability of advertising in Canada.

• ASC's members include leading Canadian advertisers, advertising agencies, media organizations, and suppliers to the advertising industry.

• ASC administers the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, the principal instrument of advertising self-regulation. The Code's clauses help ensure that advertising is truthful, fair and accurate, and are used to evaluate consumers' complaints about advertisements appearing in Canadian media.

• ASC accepts and responds to written complaints from consumers who have a concern about an advertisement appearing in Canadian media.
• Complaints can be submitted online (adstandards.com/complaints).

• Complaints that raise potential issues under the Code are reviewed and adjudicated by independent, volunteer Standards Councils that include senior industry and public representatives.

• Summaries of upheld complaints are published in ASC's online Ad Complaints Reports, at adstandards.com

SOURCE Advertising Standards Canada

Christian Campbell, Communications Coordinator, Tel: [phone], ext. 227, [email protected]