New video of Seven West Media’s ‘sexy Santa’ meeting leaked as embattled media company responds

New video of the now infamous meeting has been leaked online, as the embattled media company responds to the performance.

New video has emerged of Channel 7’s now infamous ‘sexy Santa’ staff meeting, as the embattled media company defends the “outdated” performance.

Seven West Media came under fire after an image of women dancing in short dresses emerged from what has been described as a routine staff meeting.

The meeting of Seven Network parent company Seven West Media in Perth was reportedly held on Friday and was intended to introduce new appointments, including Chris Dore as newspaper The West Australian’s new editor-in-chief, Sarah-Jane Tasker as the first female editor and Adrian Lowe as the first LGBT appointment as head of the weekend newspaper The Sunday Times.

Deputy news director Ray Kuka was discussing upcoming programming, including the airing of Perth’s annual Christmas Pageant on December 7, when Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas started playing, as first reported in the AFR.

Seven West Media in Perth has come under fire after footage of a dancing group of “sexy Santas” emerged from what has been described as a routine staff meeting.

A group of female dancers then appeared on stage.

A photo of the event was shared online and drew heavy criticism, with some saying it was a scene pulled directly from the 1980s.

On Tuesday, new video of the event was leaked. The clip shows four women in short red dresses, heels, and Santa hats dancing to the popular tune, in front of Seven West Media staff, some of whom reportedly walked out in disgust.

“OMG – if they thought that was even slightly appropriate given everything we’ve found out about them, the cultural makeup of that organisation is badly broken,” one person wrote online.

“That will help fix the culture issues which have been uncovered.”

On Tuesday, Tasker, The West Australian’s editor, told The Guardian the media reaction to the event was “way over the top”.

Seven West Media in Perth has come under fire after footage of a dancing group of “sexy Santas” emerged from what has been described as a routine staff meeting. Picture: Facebook

She added that it was an “upfront-style presentation”.

“I understand the focus from Nine (which first reported the meeting), clearly they want to score points against Seven and will do so in any way possible,” Tasker said.

A spokesman for Seven West Media defended the dancers, explaining that they were part of the Christmas Pageant, which is a “Perth institution”.

This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny over alleged inappropriate behaviour at the network.

In recent weeks, veteran Sydney reporter Robert Ovadia launched legal action in the Federal Court against the company.

Mr Ovadia was stood down on June 21 following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Earlier this month, Ovadia lodged proceedings in the Federal Court against the Seven Network and its news boss, Anthony De Ceglie.

Ovadia has claimed that Seven told him that no complaints had been made against him.

“Any suggestion that I have behaved inappropriately at any time is false, malicious and will be defended”.

For its part Seven has said that it takes any allegations in retaliation to sexual harassment, bullying and other behaviours deemed to be inappropriate “seriously”.

Ryan Stokes, managing director of Seven Group Holdings Ltd, recently addressed inappropriate behaviour in the media, calling it an “industry-wide problem”.

News.com.au has contacted Seven West Media for further comment.

Originally published as New video of Seven West Media’s ‘sexy Santa’ meeting leaked as embattled media company responds