Big brands pull ads from RadioLive

John Tamihere on his Radio Live show. Photo / Dean Purcell
John Tamihere on his Radio Live show. Photo / Dean Purcell
Vodafone, Telecom, Countdown and Briscoes have suspended all RadioLive advertising today while Mad Butcher ads have been pulled from Willie Jackson and John Tamihere's show as the fallout from the Roast Busters scandal continues.

Four other advertisers pulled their campaigns from the station or show yesterday.

Mad Butcher chief executive Michael Morton confirmed he had instructed advertising be removed from the Willie and JT Show to elsewhere in the RadioLive schedule immediately. Mr Morton said he would review the matter with MediaWorks next week.

Telecom said in a statement that following the "offensive comments" made by the hosts, its media buying agency was taking action to remove all Telecom advertising from RadioLive.

It came a short time after Vodafone tweeted confirmation it had suspended all advertising with the station until further notice.

Briscoes posted on facebook this morning that it had immediately pulled all advertising from the Willie & JT, and "this morning we have cancelled all our advertising with RadioLive until further notice," the post said.

"We are not a company that wants to be in any way associated with the unacceptable actions of these presenters."

Earlier today Countdown, which is owned by Progressive Enterprises, said it did not condone the comments made on Willie Jackson and John Tamihere afternoon show.

"We have now had the opportunity to review our advertising activity, and have withdrawn advertising from this radio station.".

The backlash comes after blogger Giovanni Tiso contacted all advertisers on the show and posted their responses to Twitter.

ANZ and Yellow announced yesterday they were pulling their ads from the station, while Freeview and AA Insurance said their campaigns would no longer air during the Willie and JT Show.

Jackson and Tamihere came under fire for their handling of an interview on Tuesday with an 18-year-old girl called 'Amy' who said she was friends with one of the Roast Busters' victims.

Despite an apology on Wednesday, they continued discussions about the subject on yesterday's show, resulting in a guest panellist storming out live on air.

Columnist Matthew Hooton told the presenters he thought their interview with Amy was "morally and journalistically cretinous". He was told to "shut your mouth or you'll be out of the studio" when he accused the presenters of supporting controversial ex-cop Clint Rickards, who was accused of sex crimes in the 1980s.

"I'm out of here," Mr Hooton replied, leaving to shouts of "well get out then, get out".

The pair will be on air today but RadioLive announced in its noon news bulletin that due to advertiser withdrawals, their show would be broadcast commercial-free until November 15.

MediaWorks spokeswoman Rachel Lorimer reiterated that RadioLive in no way condoned the actions of the Roast Busters or any violence against women.Mediaworks had put all non-news coverage on RadioLive under extra scrutiny due to "strong emotional feeling around the situation".

Spokeswoman Rachel Lorimer said the station had "apologised unreservedly for any offence or distress caused to listeners, clients or others by Willie and JT's interview with Amy".

"We would like to reiterate that we in no way condone the actions of the 'Roast Busters' or any violence against women. The 'Roast Busters' is an important developing news story and one that RadioLIVE will continue to cover.

"However, in response to the strong emotional feeling around the situation, RadioLIVE has placed all non-news coverage under extra editorial scrutiny."

Willie Jackson and John Tamihere's RadioLive show will also continue to run commercial free for the rest of the week.

Ms Lorimer was unable to comment on clients' advertising campaigns as they were commercially sensitive.

"But RadioLIVE would like to reiterate that we in no way condone the actions of the 'Roast Busters' or any violence against women. We apologise unreservedly for any offence or distress caused to listeners, clients or others by Willie and JT's interview with Amy."

The Association of New Zealand Advertisers has responded to the mass pull-out, saying advertisers must be aware of the environment where their advertising appeared.

Chief executive Lindsay Mouat said while advertisers were not censors they must be comfortable their messages are in an environment that did not damage their brand reputation.

"As media fragments it is important that advertisers, and their agencies, ensure they give appropriate attention to the media environment as well as their advertised message."