This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/17/labor-rudd-access-for-adverts

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Labor links with Rudd 'access for adverts' agency remain mysterious Labor links with Rudd 'access for adverts' agency remain mysterious
(2 months later)
The marketing agency that approached a media outlet offering 10 minutes with the prime minister in exchange for advertisements was employed by Labor for a project neither side is giving details about.The marketing agency that approached a media outlet offering 10 minutes with the prime minister in exchange for advertisements was employed by Labor for a project neither side is giving details about.
The agency, Naked Communications, wrote to youth website TheVine pitching an exclusive interview with Rudd in exchange for free advertising as well as the possibility of “entertaining content on the theme of the inadequacy of the Liberal NBN plan'', Fairfax Media reported.The agency, Naked Communications, wrote to youth website TheVine pitching an exclusive interview with Rudd in exchange for free advertising as well as the possibility of “entertaining content on the theme of the inadequacy of the Liberal NBN plan'', Fairfax Media reported.
The Prime Minister’s Office has claimed it had no knowledge of the pitch but will not reveal the exact nature of Naked Communications employment and neither will the agency.The Prime Minister’s Office has claimed it had no knowledge of the pitch but will not reveal the exact nature of Naked Communications employment and neither will the agency.
In a brief which carried Labor branding, Naked Communications executive Nick Kavanagh listed conditions of a Rudd interview with TheVine’s editor, Alyx Gorman, which included free advertising for the ALP and suggested an “entertaining” piece be written lambasting the Coalition’s policy on broadband. "No news from the [prime minister's office] as yet but we'll keep you updated," Kavanagh wrote as part of the email exchange.In a brief which carried Labor branding, Naked Communications executive Nick Kavanagh listed conditions of a Rudd interview with TheVine’s editor, Alyx Gorman, which included free advertising for the ALP and suggested an “entertaining” piece be written lambasting the Coalition’s policy on broadband. "No news from the [prime minister's office] as yet but we'll keep you updated," Kavanagh wrote as part of the email exchange.
"Naked was engaged by the ALP to work on a small project and are no longer working with them,” Naked Communication’s chairman, Mike Wilson, said in a statement on Wednesday."Naked was engaged by the ALP to work on a small project and are no longer working with them,” Naked Communication’s chairman, Mike Wilson, said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately the relationship has terminated due to some activity that took place which was not authorised by the ALP or part of the brief agreed by Naked management.”“Unfortunately the relationship has terminated due to some activity that took place which was not authorised by the ALP or part of the brief agreed by Naked management.”
When asked for details on the project Wilson replied: “I can’t add to the statement at this stage, I’m afraid.”When asked for details on the project Wilson replied: “I can’t add to the statement at this stage, I’m afraid.”
When asked if advertising strategies involving the prime minister were usually pitched without his knowledge, a spokeswoman for Rudd denied Naked Communications was ever employed to work on advertising.When asked if advertising strategies involving the prime minister were usually pitched without his knowledge, a spokeswoman for Rudd denied Naked Communications was ever employed to work on advertising.
“Naked Communications weren’t doing advertising for Labor, or were part of an advertising strategy, as I understand,” she said. “But yes – if there was an advertising strategy developed that involved the PM – he and his office would expect to be involved.”“Naked Communications weren’t doing advertising for Labor, or were part of an advertising strategy, as I understand,” she said. “But yes – if there was an advertising strategy developed that involved the PM – he and his office would expect to be involved.”
A spokesman for Vice Australia told Guardian Australia it was approached by Naked Communications and assumed it was because of a piece they ran four years ago on a baby in Papua New Guinea being named Kevin Rudd in honour of the prime minister.A spokesman for Vice Australia told Guardian Australia it was approached by Naked Communications and assumed it was because of a piece they ran four years ago on a baby in Papua New Guinea being named Kevin Rudd in honour of the prime minister.
“There was no agreement around any editorial or advertising on Vice. As far as we can tell, the interview isn’t happening,” the spokesman said.“There was no agreement around any editorial or advertising on Vice. As far as we can tell, the interview isn’t happening,” the spokesman said.
Pedestrian.tv was also reported to have been pitched an interview with Rudd but told Fairfax it were not asked for free advertising.Pedestrian.tv was also reported to have been pitched an interview with Rudd but told Fairfax it were not asked for free advertising.
It is not known exactly how many media outlets received the pitch.It is not known exactly how many media outlets received the pitch.
The ALP national secretary, George Wright, who is overseeing the party’s campaign, has been approached for comment.The ALP national secretary, George Wright, who is overseeing the party’s campaign, has been approached for comment.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.