Ad watchdog bans Delta Goodrem commercial
The Advertising Standards Board (ASB) has upheld a complaint against Delta Goodrem’s Apple Music ad and banned the commercial from playing on Australians TVs.
The ad, which first aired during the recent Voice finale, breaches community standards for health and safety as it appears the Voice judge is not wearing a seatbelt while in a car.
“Delta Goodrem is not wearing a seatbelt while travelling in a moving vehicle on the road. As a role model for young people this is setting a terrible example to young drivers and passengers at a time when statistics show us how at risk this age group is on the road,” the complainant wrote.
The complainant also pointed out the ad further broke road rules because her head and arm were outside a moving vehicle for brief moments.
It also alleged that her singing and dancing could be distracting the driver.
🎥 VIDEO: @DeltaGoodrem in Apple Music advert pic.twitter.com/6nHk0YTdx4
— Jason (@planetdelta) June 11, 2017
Apple responded by explaining that both Goodrem and the driver were wearing lap belts during the filming.
However, the ASB rule that although the positioning of Goodrem and the driver would suggest they were wearing some kind of restraint, her dancing and movement in the seat could imply she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
“The majority of the Board noted that Delta is seen as a role model to younger people and considered that a depiction of Delta dancing and moving around in a motor vehicle with no clearly visible safety belt is likely to imply to younger viewers that no seatbelt is being worn and that a relaxed attitude to safety in a moving motor vehicle is acceptable,” they said in their determination.
“The Board noted that in one scene Delta has her head leaning out of the open window with her arm resting just outside the vehicle, and in a later scene Delta has her elbow resting on the open window with her hand resting on the top of the window frame, external to the vehicle.
The Board considered that these depictions are a breach of the Road Rules.”
Apple said they were disappointed by the decision as they had already taken steps to rectify the video.
“Apple is disappointed with the decision of the Advertising Standards Bureau, as Apple takes health and safety very seriously,” the company stated.
Do you think their reasoning was fair? Share your thoughts in the comments below.