These reports are case summaries of complaints which appeared to raise issues of substance in relation to the interpretation of the ITC Advertising Standards Code. Summary statistics of non-substantive complaints can be found in the full reports which are obtainable from the ITC.
Scheduling of Advertising
Complaint from: Staff monitoring
Background
During the investigation of complaints about an advertisement for Yahoo Personal Finance (see ITC Television Advertising Complaints Bulletin 5, 23 December 2002), the ITC required the BACC to inform licensees that this commercial was to be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Issue
The following week, during routine monitoring, the ITC saw the advertisement on ITV1 in the Carlton region.
Assessment
The BACC confirmed that it had informed all licensees - including Carlton - of the suspension. It had done this by means of a telephone call on Friday 22 November and again on Monday 25 November, and an email – sent automatically when the status of an advertisement is changed on the computer system that BACC shares with its client broadcasters – on 26 November. Carlton was unable to locate any record of being told of the decision concerning Yahoo, however.
Although it was unclear which party was at fault, the ITC found Carlton - its licensee - in breach of the Code of Advertising Standards for transmitting an advertisement which the ITC had required to be suspended. It advised Carlton of the need for reliable procedures to avoid such a situation happening again.
Conclusion
Breach of ITC Code Rule 6.6.
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