AAMI might be helping you save money but some viewers aren't buying it, with the insurer receiving complaints for two separate TVCs over the last month. And while it's not the first time AAMI has been accused of putting consumers off their dinner, the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) has cleared the insurer of any wrongdoing.
Both TVCs are part of the 'better ways to save' campaign. One follows on from an advert which received a string of complaints in September and shows a man bathing with his dog to try and save some money.
One complaint against the TVC said: "Please take this advertisement off. A naked man bathing with a large dog suggests another sick dynamic. We should be promoting healthy family life, not depicting it as incestuous and suggesting buggery."
Another said: "This advertisement not only belittles and degrades an Australian grown male (gender) and attacks less fortunate people (possibly disabled) but it also impedes on Federal Laws such as human rights, civil rights and equal rights".
The other TVC which was complained about shows a man stealing his co-worker's lunch and eating it, as a way to save money.
Complaints about the ad said: "As this is something that has happened to me, it not is a good feeling knowing one of your work colleagues has taken something from you. What makes it even worse the name of the lunch is clearly visible on the lid."
Another said the advertisement was showing workplace bullying. One complainant noted that his teenage son had asked questions about the TVC and said "I really do feel that the actions depicted in the ad by the two males amount to a display of workplace bullying."
However complaints for both adverts were dismissed by the ASB who ruled that the ads did not breach any grounds.
On the complaints regarding the TVC with the man bathing with his dog, it noted: "The board considered a majority of the complaints surrounded the issue of bad taste: distasteful, revolting, disgusting and sick. The board noted that bad taste is not an issue which falls under the provisions of the code and considered that this issue would therefore not form part of their determination."
On the other TVC the watchdog said: " The Board considered that the overall portrayal of the lunch thief is negative and that he is depicted as looking foolish and letting down his work colleagues by his selfish action.The Board considered that the advertisement does not depict or condone bullying behaviour."
The advertiser did not respond to either complaint.
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