Win £30,000 Now

This was the message that dozens of people received on a mailshot from Empire Stores. The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint regarding what it saw as dishonest and misleading information. The ASA considered that although the true nature of the draw was clear from the rules, the rest of the mailing implied that the recipients had won the money. The advertisers were asked to withdraw the mailing immediately and take copy advice.

The ASA’s Monthly Report, published today, concerns the suitability of another eye-catching piece of copy. “Ever received oral sex from someone with braces?” asks an advert for Escape Magazine in PC Pro and Hi-Fi Choice. The complainants objected that the advert was distasteful. The ASA considered the advert to be a fair reflection of the contents of the advert magazine and concluded that the advert would not cause serious or widespread offence among its likely audience, mainly men over the age of 18. The complaints were not upheld.

ASA: 0171 580 5555