EXPLAINER: How are adverts regulated in South Africa?

Loading player...
GUEST - Gail Schimmel, CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB)



In this conversation we unpack how advertising is regulated in South Africa and why truth in branding matters.



Gail Schimmel, CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), explains the role of the ARB in safeguarding consumer interests, setting industry standards, and ensuring advertisers strike a balance between creative expression and factual accuracy.



We dive into the recent Liqui Fruit case, where the ARB ordered the company to drop its long-standing slogan, “Nothing But Fruit”, after finding it misled consumers about the actual contents of its juices. Gail takes us through how the ARB evaluates consumer complaints, investigates claims, and makes rulings that impact both brands and the public.



From the complexities of regulating creativity to the next steps for Liqui Fruit, this conversation highlights how advertising watchdogs are shaping accountability and why every word in an advert matters.
15 Sep 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Inside Alexforbes FY26: Strong Cash, Strong Capital, Strong Growth

Alexforbes delivered a resilient FY26 performance, with AuM and administration up 22% to R733 billion, a steady dividend, and 91% of revenue anchored in South Africa. CEO Dawie de Villiers breaks down solvency strength, client behaviour, digital transformation, and where the group sees growth in FY27 across retirement, healthcare and…
12 Jun 6AM 19 min

Pets as Family: Inside SA’s R10.4bn Pet Economy Boom

South Africa’s pet sector is booming — now worth R10.4bn and growing at nearly 16%. Trade Intelligence’s Andrea Slabber and Petshop Science’s Trevor Paxton unpack the emotional drivers behind pet spending, the tension between premiumisation and affordability, the rise of specialist pet retail, and what pet baskets reveal about middle‑class…
12 Jun 6AM 18 min

IP as a Business Asset: Protect, Commercialise and Enforce

Intellectual property is no longer a legal afterthought — it’s a commercial asset. RNMS Inc. founder Rachel Sikwane explains how trademarks, copyright, patents and trade secrets drive competitive advantage; the biggest mistakes businesses make; how to commercialise IP for revenue; and why African market expansion demands proactive IP protection.
11 Jun 2PM 14 min

SPAR’s New Leadership on Stabilizing the Business as HEPS Falls 53.9%

SPAR Group CEO Reeza Isaacs discusses the retailer’s interim results, with revenue up 3.6% but operating profit down sharply due to KZN distribution challenges, Black Friday overspend, and higher debtor costs. He outlines the group's turnaround priorities—from commercial transformation to retailer loyalty, debt reduction, and restoring margins—and what a “materially…
10 Jun 4PM 15 min

South Africans Pivot to PHEVs: What a 430% Surge Means for the Market

Cars.co.za Chief Product & Innovation Officer Alan Quinn unpacks the dramatic 430% year‑on‑year surge in plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) sales in Q1 2026. He explains what’s driving the shift—from fuel price pain to range‑anxiety relief—and what it means for dealers, resale values, and charging infrastructure. A practical guide for consumers choosing…
10 Jun 4PM 16 min