Truth in political advertising

Misleading political advertisements in the lead-up to an election campaign are perfectly legal and already being used to shape the outcome of the coming federal election.

AI in advertising

AI is a hammer in search of a nail and its main use may turn out to be – for better or worse – mass produced but personalised advertising.

Follow the brand

Brands which struggle to connect with younger generations through traditional advertising are increasingly tempted to take social stands to sell themselves but these cynical tactics can backfire, not least in the sorely divided USA.

Why you need adblock

The Australian Ad Observatory project is recording thousands of harmful or illegal adverts on Facebook promoting scams, gambling, alcohol and unhealthy food.

Guilt tripping motherhood

New mums face a relentless barrage of advertising but many of these products lack scientific backing and some may even damage their physical and mental well-being.

Apple crush

Apple sparked outrage across the internet after releasing an advert for its new iPad Pro which unintentionally served as a dystopian vision for AI and big tech crushing, absorbing and appropriating human creativity.

How green was my advertising?

A study of more than 8,000 ads served more than 20,000 times in people’s Facebook feeds found that many green claims are vague, meaningless or unsubstantiated and that consumers are potentially being deceived.

The rise of the ‘virtual influencer’

Just when you thought the world couldn’t possibly get any stupider, AI generated ‘influencers’ are now being used to peddle products to unsuspecting or uncaring social media fans.

Game, set and greenwash

Australian sport is propped up by gambling, junk food and fossil fuel companies looking to peddle their ways or “greenwash” their image.

Who’s afraid of the big bad advert?

Advertising which plays to our fears is a favourite of public health agencies as well as politicians, but how effective are hard hitting campaigns in changing public behaviour?

We care – about profits

Companies looking to jump on the brand activism bandwagon to sell their goods and services to otherwise hard to reach socially conscious consumers need to at least appear authentic in their advertising to avoid the risk of consumer backlash.

No holds barred in Australian political advertising

Australia is awash with political advertising, from the Coalition’s use of ‘government information’ to Clive Palmer’s banana coloured blitz, but its contribution to debate is doubtful.