Earnings promises meet the CAP Code reality check: ASA bans 'typical' income claims
The ASA cracks down on ads for training courses claiming that people could achieve typical earnings or a certain lifestyle by following such advertised courses.
Anna Matsiienko
All Articles by Anna Matsiienko
Advertising and marketing in 2026: what businesses might expect in the UK and EU
This article explores key topics likely to shape 2026 regulatory agenda in the advertising and marketing industry in both the UK and the EU.
New EU rules bring transparency to political advertising
The EU Regulation on transparency and targeting of political has been in effect from 10 October.
Subscription transparency: ASA says 12 months commitment needs prominence
The ASA finds that a marketer had to inform consumers that a subscription was subject to a fixed term of 12 months at the start of their purchasing journey rather than just at the checkout.
Prime time to review misleading consumer journeys
Prime time to review misleading consumer journeys
Ad sequencing leads to ASA ruling on racial stereotypes in 'before/after' beauty ad
The ASA has upheld a complaint that an ad for shower gel included a racial stereotype and was therefore likely to cause serious offence.
Lighting, pose, styling: ASA assessment of unhealthily thin representation
The ASA considered whether the models in four ads on Zara’s website appeared unhealthily thin. It deemed two ads irresponsible on that basis, while finding no breach in the other two. This ruling shows that “unhealthily thin” is about representation within an ad, not just a model’s size.
ASA addresses fine line between ads featuring (un)healthy body image
The ASA investigates M&S clothing ads, drawing distinction between ads when a model was considered unhealthy thin and not.
CAP's guide to genuine 'before and after' advertising
CAP provides advice on complying with the advertising rules when making “before and after” claims in ads.
Drug-themed shoes ad: when creativity meets responsibility
The ASA finds an ad for shoes irresponsible and likely to cause serious and widespread offence on the grounds that it condoned and encouraged drug use by including syringe, pill emojis, language mimicking medical advice and a reference to side effects.
HFSS advertising restrictions: ASA pauses consultation and government consults on regulations to exempt 'brand advertising'
The government has published its consultation on regulations to exempt brand advertising from restrictions on ads for less healthy food and drink on TV and online and the ASA has asked CAP to pause its current consultation on the implementation rules and guidance. Additionally, the ASA has announced that it will not enforce the new rules until 5 January 2026. Gregory Barton and Anna Matsiienko report.
ASA challenges retailers falsely claiming UK presence
ASA finds ads misleading for implying that advertisers based overseas were based in the UK and omitting the marketers’ geographical addresses.
