Aki Manninen’s social media post brought a notice from the Advertising Ethics Council.
Welfare entrepreneur Aki Manninen and Rita Niemi-Mannisen the company, Ritaki Oy, has received a notice from the Advertising Ethics Council. The incident is related to a photo published by Aki Manninen in his Instagram stories last year.
Aki Manninen himself appears in the picture and the text is attached to it: How do you spend December? Here’s an option. Here’s to the good days of December!
In the same publication, there is a link that takes you to Ritaki Oy’s marketing materials.
Aki Manninen has had a long career in the welfare field. Jenni Gästgivar
The complaint to the Advertising Ethics Council was made by a private person who thought that the publication in question was hidden advertising.
It appears from Manninen’s reply to the council that he had advertised his company’s Christmas calendar.
– I’m talking about well-being and health, I didn’t mislead anyone to the wrong address. This was not a commercial collaboration because I was promoting my own company Ritaki Oy and I have not been paid for the publication. I always handle commercial collaborations appropriately marked, Manninen answered the council.
The tag was missing
The council pointed out in its decision that the advertisement must be immediately recognizable as an advertisement. Even if it is an ad for your own company, even then the ad must be recognizable.
In the decision, it is pointed out that Manninen’s social media post did not have an advertising tag. In the Council’s opinion, it is difficult for consumers to distinguish commercial content from other content on social media.
Consequently, the council ended up issuing a notice to Mannine.
Manninen’s social media publication ended up being evaluated by the Advertising Ethics Council. Pete Anikari
Manninen roars
In an interview with Iltalehti, Aki Manninen wonders about the council’s decision because it is his family business. In his opinion, the complaint made about the social media publication was made with the intention of teasing.
– This (complaint) was among those reports about us, like the child protection report, Manninen says, referring to the May Day events, when a child protection report was made about the couple.
– If I were to advertise a tire shop, then I would say that it is a paid advertisement or a paid partnership. My company doesn’t have a paid partnership because it’s just like me.
What do you think of this council decision?
– Completely bullshit. My social media is largely a lifestyle anyway, because my life is about well-being and health, so is my business. Then every picture should have an advertisement (tag), Manninen answers.