Sunrise sports reporter Mark Beretta’s chat with AFL star Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin over pints last month has been found to have breached the alcohol marketing code.
On Friday, July 5, Beretta, 58, and Franklin, 37, chatted on Sunrise about his new position as ambassador for Hahn Ultra Zero Carb beer, in which Buddy promoted the drink.
“It’s carb-free, I think that’s important. If you like to have a beer every now and then, I think carb-free is very important,” Franklin told Beretta.
“It’s lovely and smooth and nice and great to have one at 12:30pm,” she added, before toasting her drink with Mark as they both took a sip of the sponsored alcohol.
The segment also prominently featured the alcohol brand’s logo, as Franklin commented on how great the drink was for people.
Angry viewers were quick to complain that they felt the interview, which was organised by drinks giant Lion’s PR agency Thinkerbell, was simply a thinly veiled alcohol promotion.
In addition, the interview aired at 7:50 am, a time when children might be watching it.
The Alcohol Advertising Code Scheme panel ruled that while Lion had no editorial control over the segment, it was organised to promote the brand.
Sunrise sports journalist Mark Beretta’s chat with AFL star Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin over pints last month has been found to have breached the liquor marketing code. The pair are pictured
On Friday, July 5, Beretta, 58, and Franklin, 37, chatted on Sunrise about his new position as ambassador for Hahn Ultra Zero Carb beer, in which Buddy promoted the drink.
“I fully intended to promote Mr. Franklin’s role as a brand ambassador for your product,” they began.
‘He supplied the product shown and consumed in the interview and provided the promotional video, obviously expecting and reasonably expecting that it could be used.’
The findings were that the interview violated time restrictions for the marketing of alcohol on free-to-air linear television.
Channel Seven addressed the findings in a statement: ‘The segment in question was an editorial interview, not paid content, and was filmed at 12.30pm the previous day.
‘Sunrise is a news, public affairs and entertainment programme aimed at an adult audience. Seven Network was not aware of the ABAC investigation.’
Upset viewers were quick to complain that they felt the interview was just a thinly veiled alcohol promotion.
This comes after Franklin came under fire for its new partnership with Hahn Brewery.
The former AFL star, who retired last July, has signed to be the face of Hahn’s final campaign in a deal rumoured to be worth between $150,000 and $200,000.
However, he has received some criticism for associating himself with the alcohol brand in what has been described as an “out of the ordinary” move by the athlete.
Experts said the sponsorship could suggest Buddy, who had a $10 million contract with the Sydney Swans before retiring, needs extra income.
