PtG Article 08.09.2010

Jaguar drops Australian swimmer over offensive twitter remark

Australian swimmer, 22-year old Stephanie Rice, has learned how costly inappropriate remarks on social media can be.

An alleged anti-gay comment on Twitter has led luxury car manufacturer Jaguar to terminate its sponsorship contract with Rice. We made a decision yesterday, and we've terminated the agreement with her," Jaguar Australia's marketing and public affairs manager, Mark Eedle, stated. Rice will also lose the $90.000 Jaguar XF she was given as part of the contract.Rice’s tweet was made in triumph over Australia’s Rugby win over South Africa on the weekend. "I made a comment on Twitter on Saturday night in the excitement of the moment. I did not mean to cause offence and I apologise," Rice wrote in a blog on her website.

SOURCE: Sport business