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Circle ex-sponsor ordered to withdraw ads

The plot thickens on a sponsor's sudden exit from The Circle.

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The fallout from The Circle‘s moment in the hot zone continues, but the plot thickens too.

Last week The Age‘s Suzanne Carbone noted that the Therapeutic Goods Administration had ordered the company to withdraw ads that claim its products are ”clinically proven”, ”independently tested” or have ”proven results” after receiving a complaint.

Advertising, which featured Sonia Kruger, Ricky Ponting, Geoff Huegill. and Chris Brown, had to be withdrawn.

Was The Circle simply a way of turning a negative into a “positive?”

Swisse is never one to miss a publicity opportunity. It was, after all, the same company that brought Kim Kardashian out for the Melbourne Cup.

The Herald Sun notes in the Federal Court in Melbourne on Friday, the company succeeded in getting the decision temporarily removed from the Therapeutic Products Advertising Complaints Resolution Panel website. The case goes back to court on Wednesday.

Meanwhile George Negus has also lost a corporate gig as MC of a Telstra conference for senior management, believed to be worth around $25,000.

Telstra spokesman James Howe said given the company’s range of community activities, it did not believe it was appropriate for Negus to host the event.

“Based on our strong links to Legacy and our work with troops overseas, Telstra believes it would not be appropriate in light of recent comments to have George Negus MC our event.”

19 Responses

  1. @ steve of sydney.
    First off, i am not talking about everyone on the show. I am talking about the two people who made the comment. I have a mortgage and children to raise. And i have no doubt i would lose my job if i insulted ppl or caused my company to lose money. What makes them any different? You think becuase they are on tv they should be treated differently than the rest?

    1. No differently. The guilty party apologised (so did the network) and the subject accepted it. That’s a pretty standard blame / forgiveness transaction in a modern society. Most companies weigh up the loss of revenue against the impact and potential further revenue of sacking staff. In this case it’s already been shown that Swisse had to pull ads everywhere because of misleading advertising. I’m not convinced anonymous internet users baying for blood at the drop of a hat is also standard for a modern society, but it’s certainly growing….

  2. Yumi is the only reason I watch this show love her humor she puts a smile on my face before i leave the house for a horrible day at work, so hopefully it will all just fade away and the show can continue, and it will.

  3. I urge all viewers to stop watching this program. The show should be cancelled and the presenters should be sent to coventry in the televison cirlcle (no pun intended…..)

  4. @Monk

    You can’t be serious. The hosts of The Circle no doubt have a rent/mortgage, children to raise and various other commitments and you think they should lose their jobs due to a flippant remark? Which they’ve already apologized for?

    Get real..

  5. @Jason D. -I read an article in yesterday’s Sydney “Sunday Telegraph” re the drug company being instructed to withdraw their “slogan”. I turn over a few pages and there’s an ad. for the same company, Marcia Hines spruiking for them, with the same banned “slogan”. Huh ?

  7. Social media is a two edged sword. Many Gen Y’ers have lived almost all of their lives in a connected digital world with access to mobile phones. So when the same Gen Y’ers discover that social media has a down side, they are shocked.

    I wonder what Yumi would think of social media now, having seen both good and bad sides of it.

    And “The Circle” is a bad third rate inferior rip-off of the US show “The View”. Just like most Australian versions of US programs. Watch “The View” to see how a show should be done.

  8. The backlash makes me proud to be a aussie.
    It tells me that all is not lost and that some things are still held in high regard. Ten should do the right thing and sack both of them.

  9. Interesting. Its good to see that they’re trying to put a stop on Swisse’s advertising. Especially during YTT where it feels like you should be popping some in with the kids lunch so “they’ll feel better on Swisse”.

  10. I didn’t hear about the Swisse case until after the Yumi Synes incident. However, it is quite damaging for the reputation of people like ‘Bondi Vet’ Dr Chris Brown, Sonia Kruger, Ricky Ponting etc. because it seems not even they checked the claims and were just after the money. How can people possibly trust celebrity endorsements when they’re probably just doing it for the money.

  12. Until reading this article I had no intention of looking into the comments in question. I just watched The Circle segment on YouTube where Yumi and George’s comments were made and I honestly can’t see what all the fuss is over. The amount of “inappropriate” comments that are made on talk shows make this one look like a saint. If Whoopi Goldberg can fart on The View, than talk show hosts can make jokes without having to cover their behinds (no pun intended regarding behinds and farts =p) .

  13. Ridiculous.

    If they want to remove their ads – be honest with their consumer and tell the truth, rather than using an excuse by jumping on the bandwagon (which has already passed!).

    Seriously.

  17. I am glad George Negus is losing out. He is the one who have should have pulled this back from the brink. For someone with his experience & integrity, to join in the bagging of a VC recipient was very poor form. Of all the people who should have known better, he is the standout. Hang your head in shame George.

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