Sarah Wilson calls for Subway to drop ad using her name to promote ‘sugar packed’ meal
Journalist and TV presenter Sarah Wilson has asked Subway to withdraw a radio ad for the product prominently featuring her name.
Wilson is a former presenter on Masterchef and also fronted Lifestyle You’s healthy eating show Eat Yourself Sexy. One of her fields of expertise is nutrition – she recently published an ebook called I Quit Sugar.
The Subway ad:
In the ad created by Publicis Mojo Brisbane, a character says: “Sure I envy Sarah Wilson. Not because of her glowing hair or flawless skin and perfect legs, dress sense or rich boyfriend. If there’s one thing I’d trade places for it’s her low fat Subway sweet chilli chicken sub.”
Wilson told Mumbrella: “I’ve heard from several people who think I must be endorsing this. It’s the exact polar opposite of what I’m all about. It’s just packed with sugar. I believe they use my brand in such a way to suggest an endorsement.”
Mumbrella has invited both Subway and Publicis Mojo to comment.
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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Wow. Maybe it was a total coincidence. Maybe it wasn’t. But I suspect neither the agency or the client would like to be associated with ripping off a name, even if it is a fairly common one.
It’s like Ian, being a common name, and Thorpe being a common name, being used to endorse KFC. Or paint. Or…
I must admit though that I had no idea who Sarah Wilson was before this story so I’m willing to believe the implied endorsement is purely coincidental…
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Good onya Sarah!
I have always frowned at how Subway is allowed to advertise saying how healthy they are when they sell Coca Cola, cookies, chips and foot long meat ball sub’s – bizzarre(.) Yet another example of very poor corporate and marketing ethics.
Again, though, well done Sarah.
I wish our swimmers and cricket players could see the light amongst the piles of cash they receive and be more like Sarah.
The way Libby Trickett peddles KFC is a disgrace.
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How vain is Sarah Wilson to assume she is the one in question – glowing hair or flawless skin and perfect legs, dress sense or rich boyfriend.
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Who’s Sarah’s rich boyfriend?!
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Hi Laurie,
I’ve seen emails from Sarah Wilson’s followers who do believe the ad is about her. The assumption is not hers, but that of her audience. That seems to me to be an issue to be legitimately concerned about if you make your living talking about nutrition.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Of course it is a reference to her.
I’d hate to have my name associated with Subway in any way.
@ Ant I Shuuger – correct.
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I’d be more likely to believe this referred to ‘the’ Sarah Wilson if there was mention of a SUGAR FREE sauce, which is her current claim to fame. Putting it down to coincidence and ego I’m afraid.
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I’ve not seen many Subway regulars with “glowing hair or flawless skin”
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Sarah who? Honestly until I read this article I had no idea who she was and thought it was a random name. Ride the wave I say and use to your advantage. It’s kind of embarrassing though that she immediately thought it was her “flawless skin, perfect hair”….
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It is probably referring to “the” Sara, however, if we are going to stop the use of names in advertising, things are going to get tricky.
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Sarah Wilson is definitely a well known name, at least in my household! From appearing on MasterChef and weekly in the Sun Herald, I would think many people would associate the name “Sarah Wilson” to her, rather than just a random name.
Certainly those coming up with the ads could do a quick Google search on a name they are planning to use in an ad to make sure they aren’t picking a name of a well known person – if as you say it is a coincidence, surely those involved would take due dilligence to check out the name before using?
I don’t think SW was presuming it was her, more receiving enquiries or messages from those asking about her endoresement. She definitely doesn’t come across as an egotist! Far from it if you have ever read her blog.
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I never knew who she was until I read this article. I thought the ad is using a random name such as Peter Smith or Lisa Brown or Tim Jones. Ridicolous!
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Who is Sarah Wilson?
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I can’t believe Mojo or Subway even tried this on. Have read some of the comments above and understand she’s not exactly a household name but in the food and nutrition circles she certainly is – the agency knew that and that’s what they were capitalising on. I was surprised Sarah would lend her name to the campaign when I heard it on radio and now realise she didn’t. With a solid reputation already Sarah Wilson doesn’t need to ride the Subway train to get notoriety. Good on her for speaking up but not creating a scene.
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Have to agree with Elizabeth – who the heck is Sarah Wilson?
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Mojo are so hot right now
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I wonder who is responsible for all the “who is Sarah Wilson” comments above? Bitter agency much?
Nice try guys…
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