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Subway pulls Sarah Wilson ads after complaint from TV presenter

Subway has pulled its ads featuring a character talking about the eating habits of Sarah Wilson.

The move comes hours after TV presenter and journalist Wilson – who specialises in writing about nutrition –  told Mumbrella that she had not endorsed the campaign and wanted it withdrawn.

The ad:

Wilson, who presented the first series of Ten’s Masterchef and more recently Eat Yourself Sexy on Lifestyle You. She has also self-published an ebook called I Quit Sugar.   

Earlier today she told Mumbrella that she objected to the camapaign because some of her followers believed she was now promoting the Subway product which contains sugar.

A statement from Subway said that the ad, created by Publicis Mojo Brisbane, had been intended to refer to a fictional character called Sarah Wilson. The statement said:

“Upon the request of TV presenter, Sarah Wilson, Subway Systems Australia (SUBWAY) will today pull its advertisement for new Sweet Chilli Chicken sandwiches from radio.

“The name referenced in the radio script is a fictional character created by SUBWAY® brand’s advertising agency and is in no way related to presenter Sarah Wilson or any other individual across Australia named Sarah Wilson. SUBWAY® apologises for any confusion.”

3.10pm update: Mojo Brisbane issued  the following statement:

“The name used in the radio script was designed to be a completely generic ‘Jane Doe’ name that would have wide audience appeal. Both Sarah and Wilson are extremely common names in themselves and the pairing of the two in this instance is merely a coincidence.

“Subway are pulling the ad in question in response to her agent’s complaint, however this should not be taken as an admission that there was any intention to promote Sarah Wilson as endorsing the brand.”

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