1. Complaint reference number 203/04 2. Advertiser Bridgestone Tyres Australia Ltd 3. Product Retail 4. Type of advertisement TV 5. Nature of complaint Other - Miscellaneous 6. Date of determination Tuesday, 10 August 2004 7. DETERMINATION Dismissed

DESCRIPTION OF THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement features racing driver Peter Brock testing the grip of his vehicles tyres. An animated Gecko is on the bonnet of his car and stays gripped until he slides off as the car brakes. The tagline is “Nothing grips like Donuts.” THE COMPLAINT Comments which the complainant/s made regarding this advertisement included the following: “The ads are distressing and I believe that they are trying to make comedy out of animal cruelty.” “Animal abuse is a serious matter and just because it is a fake gecko doesn’t make it less disgusting.” “As a firm believer in animal welfare, the advertisements have shocked me, and I think that something should be done. I take great offence that they are trying to put humour in manhandling a defenceless critter.” THE ADVERTISER’S RESPONSE Comments which the advertiser made in response to the complaint/s regarding this advertisement included the following: “Bridgestone have spent the last 12 months developing the animated green gecko as a symbol of grip.” “This gecko was created as a playful, light-hearted icon which will in time be synonymous with the Bridgestone brand. Contrary to the concerns of Mrs Brown, he always returns to frustrate Peter Brock once again and he pops up in many unusual places.” THE DETERMINATION The Advertising Standards Board (“Board”) considered whether this advertisement breaches section 2 of the Advertiser Code of Ethics (the “Code”). The Board found that the advertisement did not breach the Code on any grounds. The Board dismissed the complaint.