Health fund HCF has become the latest brand to say its advertising on Alan Jones' show was an "error" and a move made without its authorisation, following similar claims from Woolworths and Suzuki.
HCF is among the 60+ pool of major advertisers who ended their sponsorship of 2GB and The Alan Jones Breakfast show after the shock jock's remarks that Julia Gillard's father "died of shame". Companies which have not returned to the show include 7-Eleven, Big W, Bing Lee, Foxtel, Mazda and Coles.
Despite the health fund pulling its sponsorship from Jones' program, its advertising re-commenced last week, forcing the company to say it was a mistake and a decision made without its authorisation. HFC posted the following statement on its Facebook page in a bid to assure fans it doesn't support the show.
"HCF wishes to advise our members that we suspended advertising on the Alan Jones program earlier this month, after certain comments made by Alan Jones were first reported. The decision to re-commence advertising on the Alan Jones program was made without our authorisation, and appears to have been an error on the part of one of our external agencies.
“We have requested that the advertising cease with immediate effect. We thank our members for bringing this to our attention, and for their understanding in this matter."
Major brands Woolworths and Suzuki have also inadvertently advertised on the show since pulling their sponsorship and issued corresponding statements on social medi.
Woolworths said: "Due to an oversight, a Woolworths promotion was advertised during the Alan Jones program this morning. We’d like to confirm that our advertising on the program is suspended, but despite our instructions the ad was booked in error by a third party supplier. These ads have now been removed."
Car brand Suzuki found itself in a similar situation and was targeted by anti-Alan Jones campaigners Destroy the Joint about the appearance of its advertising.
After speaking with the brand, Destroy the Joint said: "We have just spoken to Suzuki which says the ads on Alan Jones this morning were a mistake. They have withdrawn all advertising and will not be advertising again."
Current advertisers on the Alan Jones show include Channel 9's A Current Affair, GIO Insurance, Flower Power, Oz Lotto, Sportsbet and Masterton Homes. Brands who suspended advertising during the controversy but have since returned include Taste Living and Seconds World.
The social backlash against Alan Jones has raged on for the last two months and was sparked by his remarks at a Sydney University function that Julia Gillard's late father "died of shame" because of her political "lies". Jones has since apologised for the remarks and said his advertisers had been victims of "cyber bullying".
The controversy has also seen the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) rule Jones must undergo media training his comments fact-checked before going to air.
Destroy the Joint is a social media movement rallying to remove sexism within Australian media and came off the back of Jones' comments that women in politics were "destroying the joint".
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