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by The Newshound

on Oct 10

Ten breached rules with subliminal ads

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So that crazy guy with the tin foil hat that sits at the tram stop was right – corporations are using subliminal messages to control our brains!

Network Ten has been chastised by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for broadcasting material below or near the threshold of normal awareness during the 2007 ARIA Awards.

Several complaints were received by the ACMA at the time about the inclusion of brief displays of sponsor’s logos during the nomination segments of the program.

ACMA slowed the footage to analyse it frame by frame and found that the rapid-cut graphics used in the program was a technique that was attempting to convey information to viewers ‘below or near the threshold of normal awareness’ – a breach of clause 1.8.4 of the broadcasting code.

Ten is now expected to distribute the report to its production staff (both in-house and external) and to not use the same rapid cut use of sponsor logos again.

While it may seem like only a rap on knuckles, the ACMA considers its action as proportionate, since it’s the first breach of this kind and the network will not use this technique in the upcoming 2008 ARIA Music Awards… that we know of.

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See if you can pick the subliminal message in this clip from the 2007 ARIA Awards.

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6 Comments

  • Wrote on 10 Oct, at 11:52AM
  • Wrote on 10 Oct, at 12:07PM
Ha! Got it in one Ollie. I suddenly have the urge to buy foundation to cover my blemishes...
  • Wrote on 10 Oct, at 03:59PM
My subconcious wasnt paying attention and has an over-riding desire to partake in an ice-cream
  • Wrote on 11 Oct, at 11:07AM
Wonder how much they paid for it, and if the PR theyll get was part of the deal :P ?
  • Wrote on 11 Oct, at 03:41PM
I blogged about this nearly a year ago now: http://www.pigsdontfly.com/2007/11/are-retailers-intentionally-advertising.html

I dont think it was intentional, probably just who ever designed the theme and graphics for the night thought it would be cool. Still, very interesting!
  • Wrote on 14 Oct, at 10:04AM
Did anyone else see Media Watch on ABC last night?

Despite being smacked on the hand for using messaging 'below or just on the normal threshold of normal viewing' (which is two or three flash frames I believe), Network Ten has done it again on its Rove-hosted Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?
It features an ad for Nintendo DS that is so fast they had to show it twice to actually see what it said. But, because it works over 12 frames and has a soundbite accompanying it, all is well.

http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s2389916.htm

Incidentally, anyone want to play some Mario Cart this weekend?

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