Chaser’s Checkout claims a scalp… or should that be a belly?
Dr Mumbo congratulates The Chaser’s new program The Checkout, which is fast becoming the bane of many marketers, for scoring an early win against vitamins and supplements company Swisse.
This week the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced it banned Swisse’s Ultiboost Appetite Suppressant on the grounds that there was “insufficient evidence” for the claims that the product was making.
Swisse was targeted by The Checkout, a joint production between the ABC, Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder & the Chaser boys’ company Giant Dwarf, in its very first episode.
Dr Mumbo hopes they’ll take up the issue again especially as the Sydney Morning Herald is today reporting that Swisse has attempted to circumvent the ban by launching “a new product” which contain the same extract of an Indian cactus ingredient, under the name Ultiboost Hunger Control.
A number of leading Australian brands have been targeted by the show which, in the last four weeks, has targeted leading companies such as Mazda, Kelloggs, Weightwatchers, Woolworths and Jetstar.
Love this show, the best thing on telly this year.
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They are finally using their skills for good; someone on the consumers side for a change. Jetstar just don’t get it, and will cop it every week until someone pulls their head out of their clacker. Its like the reverse sponsorship Graham Kennedy used to do for Raul Merton shoes. The more he complained about them the higher their profile. “If they’re hurtin, they’re Raul Merton”.
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I do look forward to (a) when these guys are in their 80’s and you’re still calling them boys (b) your next report on a group of late 30’s early 40’s women where you refer to them as girls.
Remember kids: Agism never gets old.
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I hate the show: it is unfunny and communist.
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ALL health claims should be professionally scrutinised. As it stands, they’re not – TGA resources are limited. Perhaps The Chaser could use their considerable media power to cut the the chase (!) and look at why the Australian system doesn’t fund or mandate this for every health claim.
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I hate Patrick: He stinks and is a Fascist.
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