The social media campaign condemning Alan Jones and his sponsors has fired up again this morning following the return of advertisers including Suzuki to the network.
Macquarie Radio Network (MRN) lifted its ban on advertising this morning, after it took the unprecedented move last week to temporarily strip the show of its remaining sponsors due to claims of "cyber bullying".
MRN chief executive Russell Tate told AdNews about 30 companies had returned to support the controversial broadcaster. While Tate declined to name the specific advertisers, it has been reported that Suzuki, Mazda, Premier Cabs, Masterton Homes and Metro Energy Group are among the group. Blue-chip advertisers including Woolworths, Coles and Harvey Norman have not returned.
The social media campaign pressuring the show's advertisers to end sponsorship of Jones has been revived as a result of this morning's actions. Several consumers have continued to pledge a boycott of the returning brands.
The 'Sack Alan Jones' Facebook page, which posted contact details of Suzuki, said: "We're disappointed the advertisers made the decision to fund Jones' bullying, and it's clear they're determined to ignore mainstream consumers on this issue - but we thought you should all know about who they are in case you want to let them know how you feel about it."
Meanwhile, the 'Destroy The Joint' Facebook page, which aims to stop sexism, said: "We need your help. Now we know that Macquarie Radio Network no longer cares about community standards. So it is up to us to let advertisers know what the Australian community accepts. Let our community know which companies are advertising by posting on this page. We are listening. Australian women and men are listening. Sexism? It stops with me."
The post has amassed over 840 likes and resulted in users arguing the returning sponsors should be "ashamed".
One consumer said: "The advertisers should die of .. no. They don't deserve death - But they should be ashamed." Another asked: "Do they think we've forgotten after only a week?".
The 'Destroy The Joint' phrase, which was coined after Jones' remarks that women in politics were guilty of doing so, has also become a popular Twitter hashtag and has seen several tweets following the return of sponsors.
One user said: "Just noting from #destroythejoint on which companies I will need to avoid spending my consumer dollars on #boycott2GB".
Another tweeted: #AlanJones' sponsors return to 2GB. Really? True colours are always helpful with any buying decision #destroythejoint."
The Change.org petition asking advertisers to immediately cease association with Jones currently has 115,553 supporters.
Jones, who has since apologised for his now infamous remarks, also said his critics were "jealous" and bolstered the network's claims he and its advertisers were victims of "cyber-bullying".
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