PR agency fires client over Sandilands ads
Girl PR boss Juliet Potter
A Sydney PR agency has fired its client after it declined advice to pull ads from the Kyle & Jackie O Show.
Girl PR Issued a statement saying: “Girl PR has proudly represented Goldmark Jewellers for the past four months.
“As a PR agency that represents and supports women – especially on White Ribbon Day – we have decided to disassociate ourselves from this client after a disagreement in regards to what we believe to be an appropriate response to recent comments made by Kyle Sandilands.”
Since Girl PR resigned the account, Goldmark has decided to pull its ads from the show anyway, a move it has announced on its Facebook page.
However, Girl PR’s owner Juliet Potter told Mumbrella that the move was “too little too late.”
Brands involved with the show have been scrambling over the last 48 hours to decide what to do as public focus moved onto them.
Several brands whose ads appeared on Friday morning have since withdrawn from the show. These include Ford, Blackberry, Beaurepaires and Olympus, who all featured in ads aired on Friday morning.
The latest brand to pull out of the show is financial services firm CUA.
The row exploded after Sandilands launched an attack on Tuesday morning on news.com.au journalist Alison Stephenson over her reporting of negative Twitter comments about his TV show.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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topics
2Day FM
Girl PR
Juliet Potter
Kyle Sandilands
radio
ratings
Southern Cross Austereo
Today network
Can we get a full list of who has pulled their ad? I saw Lexus on their facebook page has, Holden too.
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Can I just say, I lived in Australia for 2 1/2 years (2008-2011) and in that time vile Kyle was often in the news for insulting, intimidating or assaulting some poor women or kid.
Can’t the Australian people finally understand that the man is simply a disgusting bully and be done with him?
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I’m a bit of a cynic here, but to fire a client after only having them for four months and then do it because of all the negative PR. Is this PR agency doing it for the PR?
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Interesting but I wouldn’t use or pay any outstanding bills to a PR agency that briefed against its own client.
There must be a contractual term or implied term not to do that?
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Do these people think we were born yesterday?
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I would bet that Goldmark weren’t spending much and it was a good ‘PR move’ for Girl PR to get their name in the media and maybe generate extra business. I’m not a Kyle fan – just keeping it real!
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The thot plickens.
Go Girl PR!
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Why is PR giving advice on Advertising?
Something tells me the second this blows over Girl PR will go right back to flogging their clients to the show. Shameless self promotion here.
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Girl PR should be applauded for its stance on this, but not for its all-Flash website.
That is all.
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Sorry … but this is just out of control. Were the comments inappropriate? Yes. Were they sexist? No. I appreicate that today is White Ribbon Day but why are these inappropriate comments being treated differently to the same comments that Kyle makes about men?
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I totally agree with you danny….
Meanwhile, Girl PR – are you serious? You sack a client, and then promote the fact that you sacked a client? How are you even in business?
On the grounds of what? They advertise on a show you don’t approve of? Says a lot about your business ethics.
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Quitting a client after 4 months??? because they want to sponsor a program that appeals to their demographic??? when was the last time you associated an advertiser to the comments made on a radio station anyway?
PR Girl Are you kidding me? I will personally ensure none of my marketing staff engage with this agency.
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“Were the comments inappropriate? Yes. Were they sexist? No” – Danny, 4.01pm 25/11/11
You’re kidding me, right? How is it anything BUT sexist to suggest a woman shouldn’t wear a particular top because she doesn’t have big enough “titties”.
The association with White Ribbon Day is apt because he threatened to “hunt” her down, which has serious violent undertones – you’d be delusional to think it doesn’t.
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What a landmine he has stepped on….again
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Well done for taking a position on this Girl PR.
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I agree with Marie.
I only hope their other clients don’t read this!
I’d run a mile from any agency trying to make headlines out of the fact that their client didn’t act quickly enough on their advice. Cheap shot!
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I love it when assclown agencies say they do PR, and “Website build/design, sub-websites & micro-sites – digital promotion, website design, creation and implementation; eDM, content management systems, flash animations, Online advertising sales, online PR integration, SEO” etc.
If you’d like a giggle, have a look at their homepage via Google’c cache… its all flash, so all the content is one page of
http://webcache.googleusercont.....38;strip=1
Yep. SEO and website builds……
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Hang on – if you represent a brand and are in control of an out-of-control PR situation and the social media response from the public on Twitter and FB is crazy – and your client is not taking your advice to negate this situation – this would obviously reflect directly on the agency. For a small agency, this could mean this kiss of death! Sounds like Girl PR had little choice but to make a statement. They are also, after all, called Girl PR. Have you looked at the Goldmark FB page? This certainly doesn’t sound like potentially good PR for them…
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I suggest you look at the Goldmark Facebook page – this was a situation that the PR agency had to handle but it’s hands were tied. Has anyone thought the agency may have been contacted to make a statement? Why are you assuming this was a PR exercise?
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The NERVE of Goldmark to ignore the serious advice on their advertising strategies from a PR agency thats logo is a pink heel!
Seriously, what brand would actually employ an agency that would be happy to attack it for some quick publicity?!
You may have just shot yourself in that pretty pink heel.
PS. My ‘fav chocolate’ is Cherry Ripe.
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Kyle Sandiland’s comments indicate a vindicate, violent, immature nature.
Any client not immediately reassessing their involvement, financial support and therefore ENDORSEMENT of his views and behaviour, obviously also needs to look beyond any possible loss (financial/dignity) and perhaps question their own strategy and motives.
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Emily – issues, crisis and reputation management are functions of PR. You don’t drop your client and run, and then write a release about it.
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Annoyed; Thanks for some more women bashing. Now you’re just as bad as Kyle. What is wrong with their logo reflecting their clientele? Cheap shots? Looks like you just took another one. Love to know who you are so I can side-step you, Goldmark and Austereo…
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Marie – you do if you’re client refuses to take your advice and you feel strongly about womens rights. I don’t believe a media release was sent – a statement was obviously made in response to a question.
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I love PR. How do you measure PR success? I feel like a schmo. I’ve been killing myself to get results for my clients.
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I really like the fact they did this… but might it not be wise for them to remove Goldmark from their current list of clients on their website?
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I smell astroturf in this thread. Good PR move from a PR firm though, although I guess thats to be expected.
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Can I suggest Girl PR remove the Goldmark logo from their site.
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@Applause – he he I hear you loud and clear there. How can anyone be taken seriously with a Flash website for crying out loud…
Now, onto another matter, if a PR agency was called Man PR would that be deemed sexist..?
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Girl PR has a proper webpage: http://www.girlpr.com.au and i commend them for their stand against a bully.
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A principle is not a principle until it costs you money. If this costs the PR company money then its a principle. A better principle than those people doubting it are ever likely to have. Their lack of appreciation of the gesture makes them look like junior Sandilands.
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Wow so cynical….Um….if any of you actually personally knew the awesome chick Juliet behind girl PR (as I do), you’d know that “coverage” is the last reason she’s canned Goldmark, she has a spine and has stuck to her principals.
It’s called knowledge people, get some before you trash her and her company out.
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Well done Girl PR. I will take my business to you when looking for a PR agency in NSW in the near future.
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OK, sure, sack a client if they ignore advice you feel strongly about. But trying to use the fact you sacked them to get publicity for your own agency? I’m sorry, but that’s just crass. Not a good look from a firm that by definition should know it’s not a good look.
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gender based inflammatory remarks aside it seems people are forgetting that this moron publicly threatened another person on air “i will hunt you down”. dont quote part of the story, tell it all.
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Ethical question. My client is advertising on a program with a narcissitic and vicious sexist host and an (at least) outwardly compliant female host. The product we sell is aimed at the demographic these people purport to service. I advise my client to run before the whole thing goes belly up. My client, god bless em hesitates. My reputation as an agency is at stake. Do I go down with the ship or do I say good bye to my client with the attendant results. Of course I do. There is no god-given right for a client to abuse their ethics in order to do business. There are plenty other fish in the sea for them. What would it lpook like for me when the inevitable shit hits the fan and the radio show meets its deserved end .. and me and my feminist ethics are on the line. Of course I fire the client and take the lumps. That’s ethics. I don’t have to soil myself for the business. Go Girl PR!
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Girl PR has a client list to consider and if your new client isn’t taking advice in a crisis?
More to the point, unless there is some pressing reason(?) I’m quite sure publicising the client firing is a bad call.
As far as web pages go…ouch! Flash websites nice earner for the web developer ; rubbish for the client. You can do better PR Girl.
PS Do people really listen to radio in Sydney?
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That Goldmark didn’t take their advice is surely commercial in confidence.
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Wow. People sure live mud slinging and will change the target at will. How is this agency’s web page got anything to do with anything! and how many of these comments are from people who run PR agencies? I run one, it is boutique. We have a small group of clients that are highly valued. As a small agency, you don’t sack clients
For gags. I’m sure this decision wasn’t taken lightly. I don’t
Think this is about a client not taking advice, but about the fact that in failing to do so, they had the potential to directly tarnish the agency’s own reputation. If the reputation of my lil’ agency was in danger, built over five years of blood, sweat and tears, I would take steps to mitigate this. And if my client was doing something that was in direct conflict with my own ethics and beliefs, I may choose to part ways with them. But mainly what irks me, is how bitchy and irrelevant these comments are! Slagging the website, logo, content etc. Yuck.
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Rednax, there’s a definition of the word sexist on wikipedia if you’d like to have a look.
Kyle’s comments were harsh & inappropriate…but not sexist.
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These PR types are just as bad as Kyle by using it to sell themselves.
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Alot of advertising and PR companies publicise a parting of ways for a lot of reasons. I would concider this a pretty good reason – esp for a small agency with a big client. A good PR would send out a media release to obtain PR for themselves. I don’t concider Girl PR using their own social networking platform to make a statement ‘publicising’ it, do you esp. on White Ribbon Day and why not make it a statement about Sandilands? making lemonade out of lemons I reckon…
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@steve
Can’t you recognize a catch-22 when you see one?
As an advertiser that was caught up in this, we pulled out within half an hour of finding out about Kyles comments (which was actually the day after the incident). We confirmed via our social channels and a media release that we had withdrawn. Now we are copping flack because apparently “we should have just done it without publicizing it” and we were “just pulling out to get some good PR”…
If we hadn’t publicized it, we’d still be receiving threats (yes, actual threats) about how unethical we are.
Similarly, if girl PR hadn’t noted their parting of ways their reputation would be screwed; if they do make it known, people like you accuse them of doing it to get their name in headlines.
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When is the new boss of 2 DAYFM going to act?
He’s wrong if he thinks the stench is going away over the Christmas ratings break.
The public will continue to track what and where advertisers are placing their money, and it seems that’s what matters to Austereo, not morals or decency.
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So using Kyle’s poor behavior isn’t right for their clients to sell their products but it’s ok for them to use it to sell themselves?
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They are hoping to ride this out over Christmas, but social media will be watching advertisers under a microscope.
TODAYFM and 7 must get rid of them now.
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You cynics who think GirlPR are not genuine are on the wrong tram. It takes financial guts to do what they did. I hope others develop the same conviction and courage as GirlPR – they are to be applauded for getting up, standing up, and shouting against violence against women.
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@Mel
Surely this is an issue where morals trump PR, making a clear statement saying you do not support the threats Kyle made (particular as it was white ribbon week), is a reason that all but the hardcore fringes would accept, without assuming it was a PR move.
It’s a shame some others have resorted to the Kyles level of threats.
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Wow – I’m thinking some IP gazing might be in order Tim….. Some of these comments all coming from the same IP??????
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If I don’t fire my PR agency for not firing a client who didn’t pull their ads from AusStereo, when I specifically asked them to fire their client who didn’t take their advice and didn’t pull their ads until 15 minutes later, should my ad agency fire me and claim a victory for all women?
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Well done Girl PR, you should be applauded for taking a stance on this. Everyone is a critic and they obviously are only guessing about what actually happened. You know the truth and you have integrity. That’s all you NEED to know!
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A client for only four months? Can’t help but think this wasn’t the only issue in the relationship.
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it will blow over. Kyle Sandilands has achieved fame and fortune, and when you have both, there are very few reprocussions. The PD’s in the network will hope for a ratings rise, the sales managers can deal with any drop in revenue.
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Times are tough out there in PR world. Dropping a client is not an easy decision for a small boutique firm to make. Juliet from Girl PR has had the strength of conviction to do what she thinks is right regardless of the hit of her back pocket. And I’m sure she’s wishing all this so called PR for her firm would just go away. She’s getting slammed for following her beliefs. What a pack of wolves we are sometimes.Go slay the right person – the self promoting misogynist who started all this.
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There’s something seriously wrong with Girl PR. It’s so girly. Almost as if even the concept that women can be serious discerning intelligent people, rather than chocolate obsessed ditzy bimbos, hasn’t yet reached the office. I guess they’re waiting on a ICQ from one of their fabulous girlfriends with that intel.
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Hey, Anonymous 26 Nov 11 8:42 am
The fact you needed to look up the definition of sexist on Wikipedia indicates you’re probably not the best qualified person to comment on what is, or isn’t.
Sandilands comments are sexist.
Look up ‘moron’ next time you’re on Wiki.
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I always choose Goldmark for the perfect gift to say sorry for calling a gal a fat slag and threatening to hunt them down on national radio.
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Gidys if Girly PR were hoping this would go away, why send out a press release
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paul. MAybe you’re not in PR…so I’ll keep it simple. Not all news is generated as a result of a press release.Who says they put out a press release?
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GO Girl PR, good move. Glad to see some wonderful ethics in choosing whether to use their skills for good or evil.
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@Chris
Do you work at mumbrella? How can you tell what IP addresses comments are coming from? That sounds like fun 🙂
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I reckon I counted at least a dozen examples of seriously blatent astro-turfing in the above…
GirlPR has really ruined their cred over this. I have never heard of them before and hope Mumbrella thinks twice before giving them a run again.
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I can’t help but think that the negative comments on this thread are from advertising people – who let’s face it, have never been a fan of us lowly PRs. After my 15 years in the biz, lifestyle PRs have often been deemed as vacuous and Champagne-swilling when the majority of us work very hard, with significantly lower budgets that our advertising counterparts. And too often all of us, whether in advertising or PR, are asked to do things by clients we don’t personally agree with. Surely one of the great joys of having your own agency is being able to choose who you want to work with and who you don’t? One Google search will show she has only released her statement to Mumbrella – hardly a blanket press release. And considering Goldmark have been deleting negative comments from their Facebook page, I too would want to disassociate with a client like this immediately. Many people in the PR community are applauding Girl PR and I am one of them.
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My fave choc is Aldi chocs or those white fresh cream chocs you can buy in the deli at Harrods.
Not sure what the rest of this article is about though………….
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@Mel
1. No.
2. I can’t.
3. It was a question for Tim – hence the question marks….
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Tim (Burrows, not the anonymous Tim), can you please do an IP search? I really think there is some serious astroturfing going on here.
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Hi Thomas,
On at least a couple of he comments you may be suspicious of, they’ve identified themselves to me by supplying an email address, and they’re people I know to be real.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
I’m a PR person and I think this statement and action from GIRL pr was ridiculous and damaging to the client – as well as totally unnecessary.
You can’t possibly believe that anyone was lining up to find out what Goldmarks PR company was doing, can you?!!!
As if the PRs reputation was on the line.
This grandstanding, pugnacious behaviour was unprofessional at the very least. If I were Goldmark I’d be commencing litigation against them for defamation.
This is a typical reason why people hate PRs, for very good reason. And why they are not taken seriously. This effort is an embarrassment to the industry. And Girl PR are an embarrassment to themselves.
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Lmc, a few problems here. Firstly, all they’ve said is that there was a disagreement between their client and themselves – that’s not defamation. Secondly, corporations can’t sue each other over defamation – only individuals can. And thirdly – if you are part of a PR agency, then heaven help your clients! If that’s your advise then that’s *terrible*. I would have thought the advise would be maybe “find a better PR company”, not “make yourself a massive media target over a particularly damaging stunt”!
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Lmc, you say you’re a PR person.. then consider this, you are not helping the industry with your unsubstantiated claims-.that: ‘this is a typical reason why people hate PRs, for very good reason. And why they are not taken seriously. This effort is an embarrassment to the industry.” Who say’s people hate PRs? Who says we’re not taken seriously.
What rubbish… I’m in PR and have been a practitioner for 25+ years, and it’s a simple fact that as an agency you are entitled to work for whomever you want to- nobody is compelled to take on work… we’re not practising as lawyers after all. If you feel your client is acting in a way that is unethical (not my suggestion here) or that they are not taking your best advice, then in my opinion, the agency is totally entitled to ditch that client.
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Good on GirlPR!
Brave move but the right one. Their other clients would have known that Goldmark was a client and been asking what their advice had been.
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Kyle Sandilands has been making these types of comments for years, so why did the PR agency not give this advice before, and in fact all these companies suddenly think being associated with him is ‘not appropriate for their brand’, but it was before, are you kidding me? Don’t get me wrong I can’t stand the guy but think it interesting how all of sudden he is no longer worthy of their ad spend, slaps of hypocrisy to me
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Wow LMC, this post sounds personal to me, a PR competitor maybe? The above comments appear like it is not only Kyle that is the bully here. Some of you clearly need to get a life!!
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Mumbrella, funny how you let these rude, disgusting and vile comments trough fr this piece and yet won’t publish valid comments regarding people you have done business “with” dare anyone tell the truth in this industry. Shame!
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Hi Bob,
Not quite sure what you mean… please feel free to explain…
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
I hope their other advertising clients do read this. Sure some may do a runner, the less social ethical. (The Company Dollar before social consequence type.) Just as the less ethical are jumping up and down and suggesting that referring to a woman’s breast size is not a sexist comment. (Which is not to say that Kyle doesn’t share his derogatory comments around toward men also. A guy that will target a teenage child with derogatory and demeaning comment struggles with any form of boundary.) So if a few companies, such as those above keep their companies away from Girl PR, – I think that’s absolutely fantastic, as I suspect Girl PR will too. What Girl seem to be suggesting is that they wish an intelligent customer. This includes social intelligence. One they are proud to be associated with, and one open enough to understand Public Relations 101. Girl were trying to protect their client to begin with. You can’t lead that which refuses to be lead.
As for threats above not to use Girl PR: For every company who fails to see the logic, necessity or ethic in Girl’s moves – and shies away (or threatens it), there will be a more socially responsible client waiting in the wings. As for the belittling of the website, or ‘Girl” name etc, – How ineffective, unoriginal and boorish. Nobody in their right mind would be worried about losing potential clientele like that.
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I think Kyle is very entertaining. I take the piss out of other people all the time, (fat woman included), why cant he? Your an idiot if you think he made any sort of ‘threat’ on his program…it was all in jest and very, very funny. I know that, my 18 year old son knows that, and every single person who has made a comment on this site knows that.
Kyle, keep up the good work! If your an unhealthy weight, expect to have the piss taken – as you rightly should.
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Rachael, Sandilands has particular appeal to the crass, the stupid and those who can’t spell ‘you’re’ correctly. Where would he be without you dear? If you’re stupid expect to have the piss taken too.
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Goodness me Rachel, what do parents like you do for an encore? If you teach your children that “taking the piss” is acceptable, don’t be surprised if they get the crap beat out of them one day when they go that bit too far. No wonder you think so highly of Kyle, sounds like you’re from the same trailer park (oh by the way, I’m not taking the piss here; I’m dead serious)
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Interesting. Goldmark did eventually decide to pull their advertising. They made the following statement on their facebook page
“Goldmark Jewellers does not condone the behaviour, views or comments of Kyle Sandilands and will no longer be continuing any advertising or association with the Kyle and Jackie O Show.”
In fact over 50 companies have now withdrawn their advertising. In today’s paper 15 big brand companies have confirmed that they will not be advertising during the Kyle & Jackie O show in 2012.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertai.....1ognf.html
There is also a petition asking sponsors to withdraw all advertising. As of today there are just over 27,500 signatures. http://www.change.org/petition.....o-vilekyle
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Way to go Rachel, what an awesome way to encourage women to diet til they are a size 0 and vomit everything they eat back up. Your obviously a strong supporter of eating disorders. Personally I and my non existent kids “take the piss” out of uneducated, low life fools. Love ya work, see ya at the trailer park
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Kudos to Girl PR boss Juliet Potter who put a strong moral compass ahead of making money. You have my greatest admiration.
Katie Alsop
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The world might be full of bogans like Rachael but in the end, the collective community is made of better stuff than she.
Kyle is fertilizer for the wrong crop and I really hope he disappears from public view very soon.
Congratulations to all the businesses who have taken a stand against him.
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Racheal, you are out of line.
But seriously, Kyle is a nice guy and he is funny. (Edited by Mumbrella).
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Rachael,you are the epitome of the Kyle fan….this guy aims his so called humour at our ever burgeoning under class of which you can proudly claim rights to. I pity your son.
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“PR for the PR”?!! noooo….it doesn’t work that way, does it (hilarious)
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How does Kyle still have a job?
And more important to this discussion is why any brand would associate with him in any way shape or form?
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