By Rebecca Harris
Jim Beam has closed the online component of its latest media campaign in response to accusations of inappropriate advertising.
TheNeighbours.com.au and thestalker.com.au sites were closed yesterday morning after the ads were met with criticism from health groups, The Age reported yesterday.
The move comes less than a week after the ads were launched in which ‘The Stalker’ features an ex-girlfriend who has not accepted her relationship is over and ‘The Neighbours’ sees two Swedish women who sunbake in their “birthday suits”.
Beam Global Spirits and Wine marketing director, James Sykes, said in a statement “the sketches were tongue-in cheek”.
“The TVC has been pre-approved by ABAC, CAD and the Networks, and in no way encourages inappropriate consumption, there is no alcohol consumed at all,” he said.
The ads follow on from a similar campaign launched last year and includes TV, online and print coverage.