J&B Met Sponsor Update

Met could lose J&B

January 19 2011 at 01:18pm
By Zara Nicholson

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS
One of Cape Town's most lucrative and signature events, the J&B Met, could soon lose its headline sponsor of 34 years.
If drastic new alcohol advertising legislation is passed, one of Cape Town’s most lucrative and signature events, the J&B Met, could lose its headline sponsor of 34 years.

Following an announcement by the departments of health and social development in December, the talk of legislation banning alcohol advertising is still in its very early stages, but it could mean that J&B will no longer be part of the biggest horse race on Cape Town’s annual calendar.

Speaking to the Cape Times at a J&B Met breakfast at the Mike Bass stables in Milnerton on Tuesday, J&B brand manager Roland Jonathan said if the law was passed it would end a 34-year history of the company’s association with the race.

“As a company we are very proactive about engaging with the government but nothing has been formalised in terms of sports sponsorships. If the legislation is passed we will comply and I’m sure the Met will continue - but we will no longer be a part of it because we will have to honour legislation. It will be very sad for us to lose the event. We have a contract for the next three years and we hope to at least see that through,” Jonathan said.

The brand has been the main sponsor of the event for the past 34 years and, although Jonathan would not give an exact figure, he said it spends a “couple of million” on the event each year.

In December the ministers of health and social development said South Africa needed “drastic” legislation to combat alcohol abuse and regulate the industry more strictly. The department heads said they would initiate steps this year to draw up legislation that will see a ban on alcohol advertising and place a moratorium on new liquor licences. This would prevent any new bars and restaurants from opening.

The ban would have a huge impact on many other events. SAB spent R23-million on the British and Irish Lions rugby tour in 2009.

J&B Met publicist Eddy Cassar said of a possible new sponsor: “To take over an event after such a long time with one sponsor takes a strong marketing strategy and plenty of money.” - Cape Times

Sportingbet

Hmmmmm sad loss for the Met... what would the Proteas look like without the sponsorship from Castle????

Rothmans July, also went with a puff of smoke -

scotia Wrote:

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> Rothmans July, also went with a puff of smoke -


so did the Gunston 500..(td)

In December the ministers of health and social development said South Africa needed “drastic” legislation to combat alcohol abuse and regulate the industry more strictly. The department heads said they would initiate steps this year to draw up legislation that will see a ban on alcohol advertising and place a moratorium on new liquor licences. This would prevent any new bars and restaurants from opening.

Idiots.

Great business incentive, that. Adults should be allowed to make decisions like adults, while putting adequate help programmes into place for those sad people who need them.

If there is a problem with alcohol abuse, surely there are other/better steps that should be considered other than to try and prevent new business - and what about drug abuse - nobody is advertising that and it continues unabated - just my opinion

Agree 100% on all counts, Frodo.(tu)

Anyone watching Boardwalk Empire on MNET. Maybe Gov wants to recreate prohibition and add a few more gangsters to the ranks