AOC Appeal Telstra Verdict
After losing their legal challenge against Telstra last year, the Australian Olympic Comittee appealed their case before the Full Federal Court earlier today.
The AOC argued that Telstra’s “Go to Rio” advertising campaign constituted “ambush marketing” and that the telco intended to mislead and deceived consumers by suggesting an official “association with the Olympics brand”
In reality, they were only the “Official Technology Partner” of local broadcaster Seven’s coverage of the sporting event.
Optus signed on to be an official sponsor in late 2015 as a replacement for Telstra, who broke ties with the AOC after twenty years.
Regardless, Telstra has maintained that the inclusion of a small disclaimer – added following the legal scuffle – made clear the relationship between Telstra and the AOC.
Representing the telco, Anthony McGrath, insisted the promotions advertised “the truth of its commercial arrangements with Seven”.
More to come.