Schweppes: ‘We didn’t authorise agency to invite professional models to public competition’
Soft drink giant Schweppes has said it did not authorise its public relations agency Professional Public Relations (PPR) to ask professional models to appear for free in its Schweppes Fancy Food Fight competition.
Yesterday Mumbrella revealed how an intern at PPR’s Melbourne office sent a group email to more than 40 professional modelling agencies asking them to be involved in an unpaid “casting call” for the Schweppes Fancy Food Fight, and urging them to enter clients into the competition on Facebook, which is open to members of the public.
In the wake of the coverage PPR issued an apology.
“We’re aware of the competition,”said Robyn Newman head of corporate affairs at Schweppes, “but the intention was not for models to be invited and we certainly weren’t aware that this particular invitation was being extended.
Oh, it was an intern’s fault? Of course, it was. And who was telling that intern what to do and supervising them?
With apologies to Samuel Johnson, but blaming a junior is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Okay – I run a PR agency as well and see the error PPR has made in getting an intern to manage this… The bcc is a disaster in its own right…But, if Schweppes didn’t engage PPR to find these advocates for the TV commercial, who did? The ad agency? Or was it just ‘initiative’ by PPR that back fired?
I like how interns now run major agencies. It explains the turn over of top end staff
Well said, Hamster
“Schweppes did not engage PPR as the agency for this promotion.”
No wonder PPR thought models would work for free – looks like they’re working for free for Schweppes!
Amazing how many agencies seem to have these rogue interns churning out such major work.
I am now a FT mum, with a PR background. This type of story makes me just roll my eyes. Seriously – get over it. Schweppes shouldn’t have even bothered w/ a statement, or given just one line – “We’re aware of the competition, but the intention was not for models to be invited and we certainly weren’t aware that this particular invitation was being extended.” AMEN – end it there. Ramble ramble ramble. First world problem. Breathe people!