In a letter to Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of The Co-operative Group, Paul Crossman Chair of Campaign for Pubs and Vice-Chair Dawn Hopkins have not held back in their criticism of a recent Co-op TV advertising campaign.
We have not seen the advert referred to in the letter, apparently it is advising people to stay away from pubs and watch the England Vs Switzerland UEFA European Football Championship quarter final at home. Fans are ‘apparently’ being encouraged by the ad to watch the game from the comfort of their own home with beer purchased from a Co-op supermarket.
The criticism focuses on the Co-op’s morals and ethics saying: “At the time when businesses in England should be uniting in support of the national football team, the Co-op has instead cynically and shamelessly sought to attack another important business sector to try to boost your own profits from the tournament. It really goes against everything that the Co-op movement stands for. Who on Earth thought this was an acceptable thing to do? Who signed this off? It shows appalling judgement on the part of your marketing team and agencies as well as a worrying lack of moral responsibility and ethical leadership.”
The letter is published below in full and does not hold back in chastising Shirine Khoury-Haq and the Co-op marketing team. A reply could point out that they are totally within their rights to market their beer however they choose to, we will report again if a reply is received.
