The three major free-to-air television networks have refused to air a Get Up campaign which hits out at Woolworths and Coles for their ownership of Australian poker machines.
While AdNews has so far not received comment from Seven, Nine or Ten, a statement on lobby group Get Up's blog has read: “So far every network has refused to run it, but that doesn't mean they win”.
Get Up launched the ad at the beginning of the month.
While Get Up did not specifically give reasons why the networks had refused to play the spot, it has been suggested the networks did not want to sour relations with major advertisers.
There may also be some copyright issues with the ad, which uses a Woolworths logo, but changes it to 'The Pokies People'.
However, the group is still looking into cinema advertising.
Get Up said: “Right now Woolworths and Coles are laying low, hoping that if they sit quiet, networks will continue to reject our ads, and eventually we’ll just go away. Well, we’re not giving up. Together we will keep showing them that movements powered by people with conviction cannot be silenced.
“After the cinema ad run spreads our message to the people who need to see it, we will continue to campaign for Woolworths and Coles to voluntarily adopt reforms that are good for their communities and customers.”
Coles and Woolworths had not provided comment at the time of writing.
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