'Portrays the people of Melbourne as ZOMBIES': Australia's most complained about ads for 2025 revealed

Australia's regulator has identified the most complained-about ads for 2025, with many of them pushing boundaries and sparking outrage. The Kia carmaker's "zombie-proof" electric vehicle ad topped the list with 86 complaints, with many parents expressing concern that it could frighten children during prime-time broadcasts.

The ad in question showed cars driving through a zombie-infested neighbourhood, leaving some viewers to wonder if Melbourne's residents had been reduced to undead creatures. One viewer took to social media to express their disgust, stating "My belief is that this advertisement portrays the people of Melbourne as ZOMBIES."

Another company, Disinfection brand Dettol, drew significant complaints with an ad featuring a young boy picking his nose. However, the Ad Standards executive director, Greg Wallace, explained that while some ads may be considered tasteless or off-putting, breaching Australian advertising standards is not necessarily about pushing boundaries.

Wallace highlighted that Australians generally appreciate good advertising with a degree of humour that is well-executed within creative contexts. However, when advertisers push the limits and disregard these guidelines, their work often falls flat in the public eye.

A total of 5,000 complaints were made to Australia's regulator after reviewing over 230 commercials, with sex and nudity, violence, and health and safety concerns drawing the most reactions among viewers. Concerns about tastelessness, particularly when it comes to children, have also been on the rise.

In a bid to balance creativity with responsibility, Wallace stressed that "the best ad is a responsible ad."

Omg I'm not surprised that Kia's zombie car ad was the top complaint 50k kids watching prime-time TV and you're gonna freak 'em out with undead Melbourne residents? That's just creepy. And what's up with Dettol's nose-picking kid ad, like who thought that was a good idea . Advertisers gotta know their audience. I'm all for some humor in ads, but sometimes you just have to draw the line. The 5k complaints are crazy, though... like 230 commercials and people had so much to say . I guess it's good that the regulator is taking these complaints seriously tho . Maybe next year Kia will come up with something less... undead

I gotta say, 86 complaints for that Kia zombie ad? I mean, come on, it's just advertising, right? A bit of fun with some undead folks... what's the big deal? Kids are watching cartoons and playing violent video games, can't they handle a few zombies on screen? And those parents complaining about it being too intense for prime-time broadcasts? Get over it! My grandma used to watch I Love Lucy in black and white when she was a kid and that show was super risqué back then. Advertisers need to stop worrying about what everyone's gonna think and just put out some decent ads with a bit of pizzazz!

Ugh I cant even believe those Kia ads are so messed up! Showing zombies roaming around Melbourne is just plain creepy and who lets their kids watch that stuff?! Dettol's nose-picking ad is gross too, but at least it's not trying to traumatize kids like that Kia ad is I mean what's next, zombie-infested ads for a cereal brand?! ️ As for the 5k complaints, yeah some of those advertisers need to get their act together and learn what's acceptable. It's all about balance, I guess... "the best ad is a responsible ad" - I couldn't agree more!

I mean, I get why some people got upset over those ads... but come on, it's just an ad, right? The Kia one was pretty wild, but like, it's not like they were trying to be too deep or anything. It's just a car commercial with zombies. And that Dettol ad? Yeah, maybe it wasn't the best idea to show a kid picking their nose on prime-time TV... but still, I think it was pretty obvious what they were going for (cleaning products, duh!) and not really trying to be gross or anything.

I do agree with Greg Wallace though - Australia's got a good sense of humor when it comes to ads, as long as they're executed right. And yeah, sometimes you gotta push boundaries a bit to get people's attention... but you don't wanna go too far and end up being cringeworthy.

omg can you believe these car ads are getting people all freaked out and for what? some creepy zombie scene i mean i get it the company wants to highlight their electric vehicle but come on it's just too much and then there's this other ad with that gross kid picking his nose like how would any parent not be annoyed by that one lol

I don't usually comment but... I think ads should be fun and not too scary for kids . This Kia zombie car thingy was kinda intense and it's no wonder parents got upset about it. And, um, the Dettol ad with the kid picking his nose... yeah, that one was a bit gross . But at the same time, I get what they're trying to say - ads should be a little cheeky sometimes . As long as they don't cross that line and are just not too tasteless or disturbing, I think they can work. 5k complaints is pretty wild tho ... maybe advertisers need to dial it back a notch ?

I mean, come on... ads can be so annoying sometimes! I saw that Kia ad with zombies and I just thought it was kinda funny but some people got really upset. Like, what's the big deal? It's just an ad for a car, right? And that Dettol ad with the kid picking his nose... yeah, no thanks! But seriously, I think ads are supposed to be entertaining and fun, not scaring kids or making them uncomfortable. And 5,000 complaints is like, a lot! What's going on here? Are people just too sensitive all of a sudden? I guess it's good that the regulators are looking out for us and trying to make sure ads aren't too crazy or off-putting. But still, can't we just have some fun with our ads without causing a stir?

The way some advertisers are pushing boundaries can be quite shocking . I mean, who expects to see zombie cars driving around in prime-time broadcasts? It's like they think we're all just going to ignore the fact that it's kinda creepy. And what really gets me is that some people actually took it so seriously, thinking Melbourne residents are undead . Come on!

I'm not sure if ads are supposed to be funny or off-putting at the same time, but when you look back, you can usually tell what's going on . Maybe advertisers just need to keep in mind that there are people out there who might take things a bit too seriously?

u gotta wonder why ppl get so worked up over an ad featuring zombies lol its just entertainment. but i guess that's what happens when u try to push boundaries some ppl just cant handle a little creative freedom... anyway, it's pretty interesting that Dettol got slammed for an ad about a kid picking his nose like, come on fam, get over yourself. and yeah, 5k complaints is wild for just ads. maybe its time to redefine what "good" advertising looks like

I mean, what's up with these companies? They're just trying to get attention and clicks, but they gotta be so insensitive! A zombie apocalypse for a car ad? Come on, that's not funny, that's creepy. And that kid picking his nose in the Dettol ad? Like, what kind of vibe are you going for here? It's just tacky.

But seriously, I get it, ads can be tasteless or whatever, but shouldn't they at least try to consider their audience? There are kids watching TV with their parents, and that's when the concerns come up. And honestly, the ad regulators need to crack down on this stuff because some of these companies just don't care.

I think it's time for advertisers to get a little more responsible with their creative approaches. Like, if you wanna push boundaries, fine, but do it in a way that's not gonna offend half the population. We're not all about shock value here, you know?

ads these days are getting out of hand lol, who needs zombie apocalypse drama in prime-time kids' shows? my kid would freak out if he saw that ad on telly and I'd be like "dad's being too sensitive" but seriously, what's next? a commercial for a new toothpaste featuring a kid with a mouthful of cavities?