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Smirnoff Ice demands poster plugging Rochester cleavage night is withdrawn

10:03, 25 March 2013

updated: 16:43, 21 January 2020

The Casino Rooms in Rochester is holding a "Cleavage Weekender"
The Casino Rooms in Rochester is holding a "Cleavage Weekender"

A drinks firm has demanded a poster advertising a cleavage offer and featuring its branding be withdrawn.

The poster plugging a 'national cleavage weekender' at the Casino Rooms features a Smirnoff Ice bottle and logo.

But Diageo, which owns the brand, said it did not agree for its logo to be used.

It has complained to the Casino Rooms and demanded the poster and all materials featuring its brand are withdrawn.

Rachael Robertson, head of government affairs at Diageo has written to Medway Labour leader Cllr Vince Maple, who brought the issue to the company's attention.

She said: "I can confirm that Diageo in no way gave permission for our branding to be included and never would for such an irresponsible promotion. This would breach our rigorous internal codes on marketing and had approval been sought it would have been denied." She added: "We take our responsibility in marketing very seriously and would never want to be associated in any way with a promotion as irresponsible as this." The Casino Rooms, in Rochester, is holding a National Cleavage Weekender from April 4-6 as revealed on Friday.

Club boss Aaron Stone described the offer of free entry to women who show their cleavage as "light-hearted and fun".

But the offer has made news across the world with with internet contributors, politicians and national newspapers all plunging in.

The club has now said it will make a donation of £1 to Breast Cancer UK "for every cleavage-related free entry given".

Its Facebook site states: "Let's not take ourselves too seriously though.

"After all, we live in a world where one of the national articles that was written online about this particular event had two unrelated articles (one either side of it) where the caption photos were both scantily clad women, ironically showing more than a Casino free entry's worth of cleavage."

Casino Rooms in Rochester
Casino Rooms in Rochester

Aaron Stone's nightclub provoked a storm of outrage

The offer has been condemned by women across Medway who described it as degrading.

Mother and part-time DJ Nina Page, 37, said: "It's all very well to say this is a bit of fun to celebrate the female form, but I'd like to know how staff would feel if it was their own young daughter/wife/sister being leered at and judged by male door staff to determine whether they fit the criteria to enter the establishment."

Cllr Maple, who described the night as "a Benny Hill show from the 1970s" said he was pleased with the response from Diageo.

He added: "It adds further recognition to how irresponsible the promotion is."

The club has added the offer is also open to male clubbers who may qualify if they flash their "moobs".

The event has been set up to coincide with National Cleavage Day, organised by lingerie giant Wonderbra.

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