Nike and Superdry adverts banned in ‘greenwashing’ crackdown ESG News Adverts produced by Nike, Superdry and Lacoste which claimed to promote sustainable clothing have been banned by the advertising watchdog as part of a major crackdown on corporate greenwashing. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints against the three fashion giants, assessing that environmental claims made in a series of search engine adverts were exaggerated [...]
Strongbow and Jägermeister social media ads banned for promoting irresponsible drinking hospitality Social media posts by Strongbow and Jägermeister have been banned by the UK’s advertising watchdog for suggesting that alcohol takes priority in life and social settings. Two Jägermeister ads on social media and one Instagram skit promoting a can of strawberry Strongbow – which is owned by Heineken – have been banned by the Advertising [...]
Octopus heat pump ad claim row boils over Energy A war of words has erupted between energy providers after an Octopus Energy advert was banned for claiming that households could have a heat pump installed for as little as £500. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint against the Greg Jackson-run energy giant, ruling that not enough customers were eligible for the £500 [...]
‘Irresponsible’ M&S ad gets banned for promoting ‘unhealthily thin’ models July 23, 2025 The UK’s advertising watchdog has upheld a complaint that Marks and Spencers used an “unhealthily thin” model to advertise clothes on its app. In its ruling on the M&S ad, the Advertising Standard Authority (ASA) said the model “appeared unhealthily thin” and concluded that the ad was “irresponsible.” “The pose of the model and the [...]
Zoe advert featuring Steven Bartlett banned for being ‘misleading’ May 21, 2025 An advert featuring Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett for nutrition brand Zoe has been banned after being ruled to be misleading. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has found against the Facebook advert for Zoe’s Daily30+ supplement which the brand claimed contained “just real food” and “no ultra-processed” ingredients. The watchdog said the advert, which included [...]
Three’s ‘best value’ ads probe cleared after Vodafone complaint April 2, 2025 The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled in favour of Three UK, rejecting Vodafone’s challenge that the mobile operator’s ads for its iPhone 16 Pro deal were misleading. Vodafone had argued that the telecom rival’s claim of offering ‘The UK’s best value unlimited iPhone deal’ could mislead consumers into thinking it was based on more [...]
Watchdog brands Next ad ‘irresponsible’ on body image concerns February 12, 2025 The UK’s advertising watchdog has upheld a complaint that Next used an “unhealthily thin” model to advertise a pair of leggings online. The ruling comes just weeks after the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eating Disorders published a report describing the “alarming” rise in disorders such as anorexia and bulimia over the past decade, adding that [...]
Former Wizz Air exec fined for breaching share trading laws November 27, 2024 A former Wizz Air executive has been fined £125,000 by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for trading company shares when City rules barred him from doing so. András Sebők, the budget carrier’s former chief supply officer, fell foul of FCA regulations by illicitly trading London-listed Wizz Air shares during the month-long period leading up to [...]
Eurostar’s £39 fare promotion blasted for being misleading – again November 6, 2024 Eurostar has been scolded by the advertising regulator for the second time this year, over how it presented Instagram and Facebook ads for £39 fares.
How BT, EE, Plusnet, Talktalk, O2 and Virgin Media misled customers over mid-contract price rises October 9, 2024 Six of the UK’s biggest broadband providers, BT, EE, Plusnet, Talktalk, O2 and Virgin Media, failed to make mid-contract price increases clear to consumers, the advertising watchdog has ruled. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the companies misled consumers by placing important information about price rises separately to headline prices and in areas of less [...]