PointsBet ad starring Shaquille O’Neal named ‘most offensive’ of 2022 because it ‘discriminates against Australians’ – while UberEats campaign with Irwins and Paris Hilton draws complaints for ‘violence’ to animals’
An ad for online gambling company PointsBet received the most complaints from the public of any TV ad aired in 2022.
The ad, which stars NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and comedy duo Inspired Unemployed, angered viewers because it appeared to poke fun at Australians.
Richard Bean, the executive director of industry watchdog Ad Standards, whose complaints focused on the use of exaggerated Aussie accents and local slang.
An ad for online gambling company PointsBet starring NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal received the most complaints from the public of any TV commercial aired in 2022
‘This particular ad drew a strong response from some viewers who were concerned that it was offensive and insulting to Australians, particularly young men,’ Bean told The Herald Sun.
In the advert, O’Neal asks comedians Jack Steele and Matt Ford about horse racing and AFL, with their responses sending Aussies and Americans into a frenzy.
The Ad Standards Community Panel found that PointsBet’s commercial was non-discriminatory and did not breach advertising industry codes.
Responding to the inquiry, PointsBet said it ‘unquestionably believes the advertisement fully complies with all applicable codes and legislative or regulatory regimes’.
In the advert, O’Neal asks comedy duo Inspired Unemployed questions about horse racing and AFL, with their responses sending Aussies and Americans
Bean said the panel found the ad featured ‘self-deprecating humour’ which most Australians would see as celebrating their culture, not mocking it.
Ad Standards investigated more than 250 advertisements last year and found 50 to be in breach of industry standards.
Most viewers are concerned about discrimination, violence and sexual content in advertising campaigns, Bean revealed.
An advert for loan provider Nimble received the second highest number of complaints this year.
Uber Eats advert starring Paris Hilton and the Irwin family at the Australia Zoo received the third most complaints of 2022
Ad Standards agreed that the ad, which featured a character with a permanently open mouth, was discriminatory after viewers complained it made fun of disabled people.
The Uber Eats advert starring Paris Hilton and the Irwin family at the Australia Zoo received the third most complaints in 2022.
Some viewers found the funny TV spot ‘violent’ because it implied that a snake had eaten Hilton’s pet chihuahua.
Some viewers found the funny TV spot ‘violent’ because it implied that a snake had eaten Hilton’s pet chihuahua.
The Melbourne brothel Gotham City House of Sin was also criticized by the public.
Its billboard ad, featuring a woman in black lingerie, was deemed exploitative and offensive, and ended the year as the fourth most complained about ad.
A TV commercial for the horror film The Black Phone, starring Ethan Hawke, was deemed too violent and was the fifth most complained about ad of the year.
An advert for loan provider Nimble received the second highest number of complaints this year. Ad Standards agreed that the ad, which featured a character with a permanently open mouth, was discriminatory after viewers complained that it made fun of disabled people.
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