Testimonials

18 Testimonials

A testimonial is defined as a real person's expression of view, or statement of experience. The following apply:

a) Testimonials must be genuine and must not be misleading;

b) Licensees must obtain satisfactory documentary evidence in support of any testimonial or claim before accepting it for inclusion in an advertisement;

c) Children must not testify about any product or service, subject to Section 2, Rule 11.12.

A person’s professional status may be used to lend authority to his/her opinions, eg. "I am Mona Test, actor, and I use Fabulous soap because I think it’s wonderful" (but for Medicines, Treatments and Health, see also Section 3, Rule 4).

Station presenters may not make personal testimonials within advertisements on stations on which they appear (see also Section 2, Rule 24 Presenters in Advertising).

Dramatised playlets in which characters express advertising claims are acceptable, provided it is clear that the situation and people depicted are not real.