Cringe-worthy Australian celebrity endorsements of 2017

Celebrities past to present have attempted to align their elite public image with brands to promote sales.

And while many partnerships are successful, a handful of Australian stars in 2017 left audiences cringing with their commercial pursuits.

Here are the celebrity endorsements by Hollywood actors, Bachelor stars, singers and a former Miss Universe that left fans scratching their heads this year. 

Are these the most cringe-worthy celebrity endorsements of 2017? From a sugar-free model promoting Cadbury, to a singer hitting wrong tune with jingle and a VERY bizarre period medication selfie

Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) – Cadbury 

Certain products conjure the image of celebrities directly in our minds: Nike and Michael Jordan, Chanel and Nicole Kidman, Pepsi and Britney Spears.

But fans didn’t appear convinced when former Miss Universe Australia Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) was controversially named as the face of Cadbury Dark Milk chocolate in late April.  

Controversial: Jesinta Franklin came under fire from critics who believed her endorsement of chocolate confectionery brand Cadbury clashed with her renown promotion of a healthy lifestyle and diet

Controversial: Jesinta Franklin came under fire from critics who believed her endorsement of chocolate confectionery brand Cadbury clashed with her renown promotion of a healthy lifestyle and diet

In September, Jesinta ceased promotion for the brand, but denied she was 'dumped' by the confectionery company, telling news.com.au it was only ever supposed to be a three month contract

In September, Jesinta ceased promotion for the brand, but denied she was ‘dumped’ by the confectionery company, telling news.com.au it was only ever supposed to be a three month contract

The rumoured $200,000 Cadbury contract drew criticism due to Jesinta’s previous promotion of a sugar-free diet. 

Indeed, last year Jesinta released a bestselling cookbook, Live A Beautiful Life, which contained more than 50 gluten and refined sugar free recipes.

In an attempt to silence critics after her Cadbury deal was announced, the svelte brunette tucked into a block of the chocolate during an interview on Today in May, telling the hosts: ‘I’m not going to sit here and say I only drink green juices.’ 

In September, Jesinta ceased promotion for the brand, but denied she was ‘dumped’ by the confectionery company, telling news.com.au it was only ever supposed to be a three month contract. 

Alex Nation – Ponstan 

Bachelor star Alex Nation shared a very bizarre sponsored post to her Instagram account featuring her pet dog, while simultaneously advertising period pain medicine this month

Bachelor star Alex Nation shared a very bizarre sponsored post to her Instagram account featuring her pet dog, while simultaneously advertising period pain medicine this month

Loved-up: The model recently made headlines for her recent engagement to lesbian lover, Maegan Luxa

Loved-up: The model recently made headlines for her recent engagement to lesbian lover, Maegan Luxa

The former Bachelor star has partnered with Hungry Jacks and MenuLog for sponsored posts since winning the series last year. 

But earlier this month, Alex Nation shared a very bizarre sponsored post to her Instagram account featuring her pet dog while simultaneously advertising period pain medicine.

Pictured nuzzling into her pooch’s nose, the 26-year-old was seen strategically holding a packet of Ponstan in one hand. 

‘Don’t let ‘that time of the month’ keep you in doors in your trackie dacks and granny undies,’ she captioned the post. 

The model recently made headlines for her recent engagement to lesbian lover, Maegan Luxa, who she began dating after her split with Bachelor Richie Strahan. 

Over: Her new romance comes after her split with Bachelor hunk Richie Strahan

Over: Her new romance comes after her split with Bachelor hunk Richie Strahan

Casey Donovan –  Coles

Jingles are designed to get inside customers’ heads and encourage memory recall and purchases.

But when former Australian Idol winner chose to sing the Coles ‘down down’ jingle in the midst of reviving her singing career after her I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, things didn’t go to plan.

The televised ad campaign for the supermarket chain was slammed on social media for being ‘cheesy’ and ‘annoying’ by viewers.

Hitting the wrong tunes with her fans! When former Australian Idol winner chose to sing the Coles 'down down' jingle in the midst of reviving her singing career after her I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, things didn't go to plan

Hitting the wrong tunes with her fans! When former Australian Idol winner chose to sing the Coles ‘down down’ jingle in the midst of reviving her singing career after her I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, things didn’t go to plan

Defending the ad: Casey, who was working as an Uber driver before her Coles gig, hit back at the harsh criticism she received from the commercial on KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie O, saying that the ad was 'just a bit of fun'

Defending the ad: Casey, who was working as an Uber driver before her Coles gig, hit back at the harsh criticism she received from the commercial on KIIS FM’s Kyle And Jackie O, saying that the ad was ‘just a bit of fun’

A guitar-toting Casey rocked out in the Coles aisle to an excruciating cover of Status Quo’s 1974 classic ‘Down Down’. 

Casey, who was working as an Uber driver before nabbing her Coles gig, hit back at the harsh criticism on KIIS FM’s Kyle And Jackie O, saying that the ad was ‘just a bit of fun.’ 

Chris Hemsworth – Tourism Australia

Aussie superstar! Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth signed on as the global ambassador for Tourism Australia in 2016, to promote the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences

Aussie superstar! Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth signed on as the global ambassador for Tourism Australia in 2016, to promote the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences

The Hollywood actor signed on as the global ambassador for Tourism Australia in 2016, to promote the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences.

But when Thor star Chris Hemsworth began spamming his Instagram followers with sponsored Australian tourism posts in June, it raised questions.

In under two weeks, the hunky father-of-three shared six idyllic snaps tagging Tourism Australia’s account, with The Daily Telegraph accusing Chris’ influx of imagery as a way to keep Tourism Australia happy about the $450,000 in taxpayer funds he receives to promote the country online.

After failing to tag @australia on Instagram for three months, The Daily Telegraph theorised ‘gentle encouragement’ was responsible the promotion ‘blitz’.

Thor-t he would have done it sooner? When the Marvel star began spamming his Instagram followers with sponsored Australian tourism posts in June, it raised questions that he was catching up on three months of missed content 

Thor-t he would have done it sooner? When the Marvel star began spamming his Instagram followers with sponsored Australian tourism posts in June, it raised questions that he was catching up on three months of missed content 

Where you'd rather be? In under two weeks, the hunky father-of-three shared six idyllic snaps tagging Tourism Australia's account, with The Daily Telegraph accusing Chris' influx of imagery as a way to keep Tourism Australia happy about the $450,000 in taxpayer funds he receives to promote the country online

Where you’d rather be? In under two weeks, the hunky father-of-three shared six idyllic snaps tagging Tourism Australia’s account, with The Daily Telegraph accusing Chris’ influx of imagery as a way to keep Tourism Australia happy about the $450,000 in taxpayer funds he receives to promote the country online

The publication questioned whether ‘he was given a little gentle encouragement to hit the accelerator for the deal that saw him pocket $450,000 as Australia’s global tourism ambassador.’

They then reportedly contacted a government insider, who confirmed that social posts were a big part of Chris’ overall deal. 

Daily Mail Australia reached out to Chris Hemsworth’s representatives for comment at the time. 

Lisa Wilkinson – Nutra-Life

Lisa Wilkinson: ABC's Media Watch questioned the ethics of the respected newsreader fronting a vitamin and supplements campaign for Nutra-Life in September

Lisa Wilkinson: ABC’s Media Watch questioned the ethics of the respected newsreader fronting a vitamin and supplements campaign for Nutra-Life in September

Lisa Wilkinson could become the highest paid woman on Australian television when she moves to Channel Ten in January, reportedly accepting a $2 million deal after resigning from Nine’s Today.

But ABC’s Media Watch questioned the ethics of the respected newsreader fronting a vitamin and supplements campaign for Nutra-Life in September, after celebrity agent Max Markson claimed she could receive as much as $300,000 a year for the endorsement.

Host Paul Barry introduced the segment: ‘Why does a trusted Nine news journalist risk their reputation to spruik vitamins and supplements?’

Moving on: Lisa could become the highest paid woman on Australian television when she moves to Channel Ten in January, reportedly accepting a $2 million deal after resigning from Nine's Today 

Moving on: Lisa could become the highest paid woman on Australian television when she moves to Channel Ten in January, reportedly accepting a $2 million deal after resigning from Nine’s Today 

‘We have to say we find that odd, because vitamins and supplements are oft derided by doctors, so she’s putting her name and reputation up against them. And taking Today and Channel Nine along with her,’ he continued.  

The show then had comment from Dr Ken Harvey, an associate professor with Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, who claimed the supplements weren’t as effective as Lisa claimed in the ads.

‘In my opinion, the current promotion of Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract to the public by Nutra-Life Australia, and especially by their national ambassador and TV personality Lisa Wilkinson, is unconscionable,’ he wrote in a formal complaint to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, alleging that Lisa’s ad breached the TGA’s advertising standards. 

Next move: Lisa will join Ten's The Project panel in Janaury 2018

Next move: Lisa will join Ten’s The Project panel in Janaury 2018

 



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