According to a report in the Daily Telegraph today, Southern Cross Austereo has no plans to move Kyle Sandilands on from his slot with Jackie O on 2DAYFM.
This is despite widespread condemnation of his recent on-air abuse of a female News Ltd journalist in which he threatened to hunt her down and 26 advertisers pulling out of the show resulting in an estimated loss of $8million.
If the report is true, it means Southern Cross Austereo has no issue with Sandiland’s public vilification, insults, threats and bullying of a woman who disagrees with him. He can call a woman a ‘fat slag’, a ‘piece of shit’ who doesn’t have ‘enough titty’ and who he will hunt down if she doesn’t ‘watch her mouth’ and continue to be enabled to do so by his employers. I wonder what more does Sandilands have to do to warrant dismissal? Reports that Sandilands was secure came after earlier reports that Austereo was surveying listeners seeking their views on whether Sandilands should be fired.
A spokesperson said they survey was being conducted out of ‘due diligence’. Asking die-hard Sandilands fans their opinion is hardly ‘due diligence’. Due diligence would be taking a zero tolerance approach to the misogynist and bullying behaviour of an employee. Austereo has essentially broadcast a message to its listeners that it’s acceptable to verbally abuse women and that you won’t be punished for engaging in it.
One positive in all this is the extraordinary response to a petition targeted to sponsors, launched on Change.org.
Here’s an update from Change. Note the sponsors who have not resumed advertising for 2012. Especially note those for whom it appears to be business as usual.
More than 26,000 people have signed Emily Hehir’s petition calling for 2Day FM advertisers to withdraw their support of Kyle Sandilands. Your support has sent them a clear message that it’s unacceptable to financially support a radio host who uses phrases like “fat slag”, “you’re a piece of sh*t” and “I will hunt you down” to attack a journalist.
The media storm and consumer backlash has resulted in up to 60% of advertisers on the Kyle and Jackie O show withdrawing, at a cost to Austereo of $8 million. Despite this, Sandilands and his employers are breathing a sigh of relief — Sandilands is off air for summer and they’re hoping attention on Sandilands will fade away and allow advertisers to return next year. But Vodafone, Blackmores, and McDonalds have committed to not advertising on any radio show hosted by Kyle Sandilands in 2012 — can you help other petition signers build pressure on other major advertisers to follow Vodafone and rule out advertising on Sandilands’ shows in 2012? There’s also a group just started by one Change.org member for people to take regular and ongoing action on this issue — you can join by signing a pledge here.
Here are the brands that haven’t ruled out a return to Sandilands in 2012, and their facebook details in case you want to leave them a message:
Blackberry: http://on.fb.me/taEhjY
Harvey Norman: http://on.fb.me/t5yWvQ
Woolworths: http://on.fb.me/sM4khe
Car History.com.au: http://on.fb.me/rt66Mi
Dick Smith: http://on.fb.me/rA86nc
Piazza D’Oro: http://on.fb.me/uvObh7
Westfield http://on.fb.me/umSTVE
Samsung: http://on.fb.me/umSTVE
Goldmark: http://on.fb.me/u728bZ
Pepsi: http://on.fb.me/u5zpPV
Holiday Inn: http://on.fb.me/vz8VeY
Olympus: http://on.fb.me/unOvpD
Clean and Clear: http://on.fb.me/rB64ZZ
Toys R Us: http://on.fb.me/tvetSZ
Commonwealth Bank Australia: http://on.fb.me/rM64CO
iSelect: http://on.fb.me/vCEIfd
Fitness First: http://on.fb.me/rDnb7J
Big W: http://on.fb.me/ukPs0U
Kia Motors: http://on.fb.me/ukatkU
Here are the brands that have committed to not advertising on shows hosted by Kyle Sandilands in 2012. Find out exactly what the companies had to say in the petition updates here.
Holden ✓
Vodafone ✓
Myer ✓
Blackmores ✓
Coles ✓
McDonalds ✓
Ford ✓
Bunnings ✓
GIO ✓
Beaurepairs ✓
Amex ✓
Tourism New Zealand ✓
CUA ✓
NIDA ✓
Libra ✓
University of Western Sydney ✓
Lexus ✓
Mazda ✓
Mitsubishi ✓
The Good Guys ✓
Volkswagen ✓
Virgin Mobile ✓
Spotlight ✓
Macquarie University ✓
Nissan ✓
Crazy Johns ✓
Telstra ✓
While brands were quick to withdraw ads supporting Kyle Sandilands a few weeks ago, Austereo will be hoping that they can talk them around to returning in 2012. If you’re interested in taking regular and ongoing action on this campaign, one Change.org member has started a select group for people to organise together — you can join by signing a pledge here.
8 Responses
Piazzo D’oro say they have pulled sponsorship.
Just been over to Dick Smith facebook, via link above. They have now withdrawn their sponsorship. 🙂
Big W say on FB they are not supporting the progam!
So have Westfeilds
Please see below a post and reply I received;
As a loyal Woolworths customer I am dismayed to hear that Woolworths still has not confirmed its decision to withdraw its support for 2Day FM.
I am calling for all 2Day FM advertisers to withdraw their support of Kyle Sandilands. Your support will send them a clear message that it’s unacceptable to financially support a radio host who uses phrases like “fat slag”, “you’re a piece of sh*t” and “I will hunt you down” to attack a journalist.
I also wish to note that Coles have confirmed they will no longer condone this kind of behaviour and have withdrawn there support without reservation.
I am looking forward to hearing a response from Woolworths Management on this issue.
Received fromWoolworths 22/12/2011
Hi Laurinda, a few weeks ago we did confirm that we’ve stopped advertising on the Kyle and Jackie O show, and we’ve got no plans to advertise with them in the future. Thanks
I also received this from Harvey Norman 22/12/11
Hi Laurinda, on 25/11 we announced we had removed all advertising from the show. That decision still stands. Thanks for your concern and Merry Christmas.
And this from Dick Smith
We really appreciate your feedback and take everything on board. We in no way support or endorse the comments made by Kyle Sandilands, which is why we took the decision to remove advertising from the Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Thank you.
And this last one.
Hi Laurinda Motion, as part of its commitment to supporting environments that are positive for families and children, Toys”R”Us withdrew any advertising associated with programming involving Kyle Sandilands on 6 December 2011 until the Austereo network addressed this issue to the satisfaction of its listeners. Toys”R”Us has not altered its position.
I am still waiting on a reply from Big W