Dad sees red over billboard

When it comes to advertising, consumers don't believe in funny business.

The Advertising Standards Authority of SA received a stream of comical and sometimes bizarre complaints in 2013 and 2014.

According to the regulator's report for 2013-2014, it received more than 1700 complaints from consumers and advertisers' competitors. Most of the advertisers guilty of contravening the Code of Advertising Practice, 42%, had, the ASA found, hoodwinked consumers with misleading claims.

The complaint crowned the weirdest of the lot was made against King Price Insurance.

The complainant moaned that the red billboard, which could be seen from his child's bedroom, would have a "negative psychological impact" on his child and his schoolwork.

The colour red promoted negativity and was associated with "anger, violence and blood", the dad said.

The complaint was dismissed.

Another consumer weighed his rack of ribs before eating it to put a Spur Steak Ranches' promotion to the test. His portion weighed only 130g and not the 200g advertised. He complained to the authority about being misled but lost.