wonderful job at ASA
I mean, whatever they say, it's a win-win situation - for them. They ask the business to take down the ads (why, it was meant to be shown a couple of times anyway, until the competition starts whining, so job done, let's create a new one), and the ASA is happy to declare to the beeb how many times it has "intervened" this or that year on behalf of consumers, blah blah blah. And if some try to whinge about this being a merry-go-round, with businesses taking turns and getting slapped, and their competitors stepping into their shoes, etc, while REAL fines would make them all suddenly very, very careful so, sort it out, ASA! - ASA smugly points out it's got no powers to fine, sorry, fuck off, we're doing our job marvellously. Like I said, wonderfully cushy position and the whole dance has been going on and on and on for years. Business happy, ASA happy, legislators happy, all out for dinner. Customers... fuck them.