WestPac Bank, Expert solutions: The cheque's in the mail

Two men who appear to be clothing designers based on the materials behind them, are sitting in chairs and speaking to the camera, documentary style. (It's not clear if they are business partners or life partners.) Both are notably feminine in their mannerisms and speech, talking about how their clients give them the runaround for payment.

Westpac and the New Zealand's Ad Standards Board received consumer complaints about the commercial's stereotyped representations.

Westpac’s acting marketing manager Nick Adams defended the commercial and told Same Same, “As with all the adverts in this series, we chose to use humour to make a connection that really resonated with our customers and make the commercial both noticeable and memorable.”

The Ad Standards board approved the TV spot, saying: “The Board agreed that the men are represented in part in a stereotypically effeminate manner but they are also represented as business owners. The Board considered that the men are presented in a manner which, although somewhat stereotypical, focuses on their frustration as business owners and is not negative.”