Month: July 2016

Source: AAP & Sports Business Insider

The Australian Olympic Committee has lost its Federal Court case against Telstra over its “I go to Rio” marketing campaign.

It was decided that Telstra’s ambush Olympic marketing was not in breach of Australian consumer law.

The AOC took the telco to court after they released a series of TV commercials featuring a revamped version of the Peter Allen hit describing themselves as the “Official Technology Partner” of the Seven Network.

In a Sydney court on Friday, Justice Michael Wigley dismissed the AOC’s application and directed it to pay Telstra’s legal costs.

The AOC claimed that the telco’s campaign was an “ambush” designed to be a “back-door” effort to associate itself with the Rio Olympics without having to pay for the privilege.

But in his judgment, Justice Wigley said the “I go to Rio” campaign is “nothing more than Telstra advertising or promoting its relationship and arrangements with Seven” and “could not fairly be regarded as misleading or deceptive”.

The case was complicated because Telstra was in a “sponsorship-like arrangement” with the Seven Network, the official Australian broadcaster of the Olympics, Justice Wigley said.

Nevertheless, any reasonable viewer would not be inclined to believe the telco was a direct sponsor of the event, he said.

The marketing campaign is made up of three 30-second ads featuring ordinary Australians being inspired to do Olympic sports by watching Seven’s “Olympics on 7” app.

Seven said it welcomed the Federal Court’s decision.

It is not known how much the AOC owes Telstra in legal costs.

The post Telstra wins ambush marketing case appeared first on Sports Business Insider.

AFL club St Kilda has appointed Seek co-founder Andrew Bassat to their board.

Bassat is the CEO of the ASX-listed online employment services site which he co-founded with his brother Paul.

St Kilda President Peter Summers commented on Bassat’s appointment: “Andrew has a long history of success as a businessman and entrepreneur and he will bring a wealth of experience and expertise that the Board will benefit from.

“Andrew’s strong commercial acumen will be invaluable as we not only continue to build our existing revenue streams but as we identify and cultivate new sources of revenue.”

A St Kilda supporter, Bassat, the Australian EY Entrepreneur Of The Year added: “The club has terrific leadership in place in the key roles of president, CEO, senior coach and captain, which is complemented by a young and enthusiastic playing group and administrative team.

“I am excited by the prospect of playing a role to help the club achieve sustained on- and off-field success.”

The post Seek co-founder Andrew Bassat joins St Kilda’s board appeared first on Sports Business Insider.