Hilary Souter
Junk food advertising sending NZers to an early grave says Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health wants action against junk food advertising, which it says is helping send some New Zealanders to an early grave.
Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show… Audio
Should political parties have to disclose use of AI?
The PR industry thinks political parties should have to disclose their use of artificial intelligence in campaign advertising. But advertisers are not so sure.
The political parties themselves have… Audio
Draft advertising code wants to ban brands from kids' sports
A draft Children's Advertising Code wants to raise the age of children covered by the code to all kids under sixteen, and limit the advertising of brands, as well as products.
This would mean brands… Audio
ASA upholds complaint against Corrections' use of stereotype
A Corrections Department recuritment ad has fallen foul of the Advertising Standards Authority, for perpetuating a negative stereotype of a Māori boy.
The TV commericial showed a young Māori boy… Video, Audio
Do new alcohol advertising guidelines lack teeth?
New guidelines for the way alcohol is advertised and promoted kicked in yesterday, but health advocates say the updated advice lacks teeth and may even make it easier for minors to view alcohol ads… Audio
Six60 fan appalled band lending its image to gambling
A Six60 mega-fan is appalled the band - which has a huge, young fanbase - has lent its image to a scratchie ticket, saying it promotes gambling to vulnerable groups.
A photo of the band adorns… Audio
Dodgy digital election ads: Does the watchdog need teeth?
The election was done and dusted weeks ago, but this week the advertising watchdog ruled another online election campaign ad was misleading. Mediawatch asks the Advertising Standards Authority: is the… Audio
ASA complaint against National Party social media ad dismissed
Simon Bridges has promised a truthful advertising campaign by National in this year's election campaign but it appears the definition of truth might depend on the eye of the beholder.
The Advertising… Audio
E-cig boutiques feel the burn from big tobacco
Big tobacco companies have been stepping up advertising for their vaping products. Local e-cigarette businesses and anti-smoking groups say the aggressive marketing campaigns are a bid to maximize… Audio
Tobacco companies step up advertising for e-cigarette products
An amendment to the Smokefree Environment Act to control how vaping can be advertised is expected to go before Parliament next month. Local vaping businesses and anti-smoking groups say aggressive… Audio
The not so beautiful truth behind alcohol advertising
The Advertising Standards Authority's chief executive Hilary Souter lays out what happens next after Alcohol Healthwatch complained about an ad with several celebrities pushing a campaign called… Audio
Under the influence of marketing
People boosting their personal brand online by puffing up the products of big brands are making it harder to distinguish genuine opinion from paid-for promotion in our media. Do we need new rules to… Audio
Clash over unhealthy food marketing
A group of academics is sticking to its criticism of the advertising regulator over unhealthy food marketed to children. Three top nutrition academics, led by Professor Boyd Swinburn conducted a study… Audio
Leaked memo shows FB researching vulnerable Kiwi teens
Facebook has researched targeting teens with advertising for weight loss and beauty products when they feel "stressed", "worthless" or "insecure", according to an internal memo leaked to an Australian… Audio
Wicked camper vans advertising slogans under fire
Chief executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, Hilary Souter and advertising veteran Mike Hutcheson discuss the controversy surrounding Wicked Camper's advertising Audio
Reviewing the rules for advertising to kids
As the rules for advertising products to children come up for review, Mediawatch looks at what advertisers are currently allowed to do and asks why change may be afoot. Video, Audio
Labour's advertisements targetting Key ruled misleading
Advertising Standards Authority executive director Hilary Souter explains the ads claimed National intended to cut Kiwisaver in half, which was not consistent with National's actual policy. Audio
Commerce Commission Investigates Hanover Finance
The company has frozen more than half a billion dollars of investor funds while it works out a restructuring proposal. Audio
Chip Promotion Encouraged Excessive Consumption
The Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint by the Ministry of Health about the trading card promotion. Audio