Coral comes under fire from the ASA for misleading ads
What lessons can be learned from a string of rulings against the gambling operator for its targeted promotions and time-limited offers? Jamie Heatly reports.
All Articles in Promotion marketing
ASA challenges Sainsbury’s use of “Participating stores only”
A consumer was unable to find a participating Sainsbury’s store to take advantage of a voucher promotion. Had Sainsbury’s adequately communicated the significant conditions for the promotion? Barney Sich reports.
New regime proposed for premium rate online competition services
Consumer complaints about online competition services are high and PhonepayPlus wants to take action to improve consumer confidence. Anna Williams looks at the proposed new Special conditions.
Missing letters and missing promotional codes?
Over a hundred consumers challenge the fairness of Walkers’ “Spell & Go” promotion but the ASA rules that the promotion is misleading instead. What did the ASA discover? Which significant condition was missing? Chloe Deng reports.
Did Converse trainers prize make Bulmers promotion non-compliant?
To mark the launch of its new Bulmers blueberry flavour cider, Heineken ran a competition offering personalised Converse high-top trainers as a prize. Alcohol Concern complained to the ASA. What was the problem? Chloe Deng reports.
Grocers asked to engage with Trading Standards on “Was/now” offers
The Competition and Markets Authority has published a follow-up report on a super-complaint by Which? concerning allegedly misleading grocery promotions. As a result, a number of supermarkets are being asked to “engage with” Trading Standards. Jamie Heatly reports.
Argos “Save £100 on Toshiba 15.6″ laptop” promotion challenged
A consumer was unable to find an Argos outlet with stock of a promoted laptop. The ensuing ASA investigation focused on whether Argos had made suitable arrangements to satisfy anticipated demand. Daisy Jones reports.
Ofcom probes Pentagon Vauxhall offers in Gem 106 broadcast
“Brand new Astras from £9995” said radio commercial references between 15 and 30 September 2015. But a potential customer contacted the dealer on 29 September and was told the offer had ended. Chloe Dumoulin-Richet reports.
Sainsbury’s challenges Tesco “Never pay more for your branded shop” campaign
Sainsbury’s challenges Tesco “Never pay more for your branded shop” campaign CAP’s copy team had cleared it, but was Tesco’s offer to refund the difference if a basket of non “own brand” products was cheaper at Asda, Morrisons or Sainsbury’s misleading? Chloe Deng reports
“Was Winning Moments” winner properly selected?
Website winningmomentsonline offered tickets for a theatre-themed hen party as prizes in a promotion. The ASA received a complaint that the winners had in fact been selected at random by the promoter’s employees. Was this a problem? Daisy Jones reports.
ASA probes Travel Republic promotion after closing date extended
A Travel Republic competition offered prizes for videos showing the entrants who were quickest at packing their suitcase with 20 items. A complaint was made to the ASA after the closing date was extended and entry requirements “clarified.” Daisy Jones reports.
New official price claims guidance looms
Following mounting criticism of the current, 2010-published BIS Pricing Practices Guide, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute is consulting on proposed new guidance following input from the Competition and Markets Authority and Which? Claire Temple reports
