Ad complaints upheld

Complaints about "blatantly dangerous" stunts on Telecom XT television ads have been partially upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority.

The ads feature Kiwi stuntwoman Zoe Bell performing blockbuster-style action sequences while talking on a mobile phone.

Three complainants argued Bell's actions were dangerous. She crosses the harbour bridge on the back of a motorcycle, rides on the back of an all-terrain vehicle and stands up in a 4WD through Wellington's Mt Victoria Tunnel.

"In two of the scenes she is shown riding on moving vehicles in a blatantly dangerous manner," said one complainant. "In the first she is riding on the back of an ATV - a practice considered to be highly dangerous by all manufacturers of these vehicles - and the second shows the woman riding pillion on a motorcycle and using a mobile phone at the same time."

Other complainants worried her behaviour could be copied, in particular the tunnel scene, in which Bell is "standing up on the seat with her body through the sunroof, talking on her cellphone while the vehicle is moving".

The ASA ruled the complaints about safety in the tunnel scene be upheld.

A Telecom spokesman said they were careful to ensure Bell was positioned clearly as a stuntwoman in the ad.

"Just as we don't recommend hanging from a moving helicopter or jumping out of the way of a speeding car with guns blazing, we don't endorse standing up in an open vehicle. But Zoe is a professional stuntwoman."

"We don't believe that Kiwi audiences would have trouble distinguishing between the activities of a blockbuster stunt woman and the recommended everyday use of a vehicle."

The ad has been off-air for some weeks but the spokesman said if it was used again they would take the ASA's advice and add the text "filmed under controlled conditions".

Similar complaints were also laid about the Heart of the City ad promoting Auckland, which features a man cycling around the city without a helmet.

The ad also showed the actor cycling on the footpath without a rear light at night-time.

A complainant said "the actor is actually breaking the law and could be prosecuted.

"Children watching could be confused and think that it is okay to ride without a helmet. They should not use ratepayer funds to promote reckless disregard for safety, or be associated with illegal activities."

The ASA ruled the section of the ad where the man rides his bike on the footpath without a rear light be upheld.