Advertisers drop 2GB after Alan Jones’ Ardern comments

Anytime Fitness and Koala have stopped advertising with 2GB after Alan Jones’ blast at Jacinda Ardern.

Alan Jones in his Sydney office. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Anytime Fitness Australia and Koala have stopped advertising with Macquarie Media’s 2GB radio station following offensive comments by its star broadcaster Alan Jones about New Zealand’s prime minister.

The news comes less than 48 hours after Macquarie Media, which is in the midst of a takeover by Nine Entertainment, threatened to sack Jones over his criticism of Jacinda Ardern.

Jones, who dominates Sydney’s airwaves, said on his show on Thursday that Ms Ardern was a “joke” after she said “Australia has to answer to the Pacific” on climate change. He also said Prime Minister Scott Morrison should “shove a sock down her throat”.

Koala, which produces mattresses, pillows and sofas, said on social media platform Twitter that it has “cut ties” with Jones.

“We’re a significant buyer in the medium, and it’s something we should have done earlier,” Koala said in a tweet on Monday.

“Climate change is real, violence against women starts with words and the bloke has had too many chances,” the group said in its tweet, adding it was time for 2GB to “wake up.”

Koala has cut ties with Alan Jones. We’re a significant buyer in the medium, and it’s something we should have done earlier. Climate change is real, violence against women starts with words and the bloke has had too many chances. @2GB873 time to wake up.

— Koala (@KoalaMattress) August 19, 2019

Koala told The Australian that it “spends millions on radio advertising alone so this isn’t an insignificant decision to make, but one we feel is necessary.”

“Koala does not condone misogyny or racism and does not tolerate violence against women,” said Phil O’Connor, head of performance.

“Koala also recognises the real, proven threat of climate change. Environmental protection is a foundational pillar of our business, to the point that we have donated over a million dollars to wildlife conversation initiatives for species uniquely threatened by climate change.”

Gym operator Anytime Fitness Australia said on Facebook it “pulled all” of its advertising from 2GB last Friday following Jones’s comments, which they said “do not represent our view or values.” The group said it does not have any further advertising planned with the station.

Macquarie Media chief executive Adam Lang said chairman Russell Tate had made a statement on Saturday, and that it “won’t be making any further comment at this stage.”

In the statement, Mr Tate acknowledged that Jones’ comments had “caused offence to many people”, and that Jones publicly apologised on Friday for them.

Mr Tate said Jones recognised that his comments were “careless, unnecessary and wrong”, and “should have been more clearly thought out”, adding that Jones had apologised to Ms Ardern.

“Notwithstanding his apologies, I have today discussed the matter with Alan and advised him that any recurrence of commentary of this nature will result in the termination of his contract,” Mr Tate said.

Nine, which inherited its 54.5 per cent controlling stake in Macquarie Media following its $4 billion merger with Fairfax Media in December, last Monday offered $1.46 a share in cash to buy the rest of the radio group.

A spokeswoman for Anytime Fitness said its ad spend has been put into “alternative networks”, and declined to comment further.