Climate crusader Pat Cummins is called out for shooting two TV ads for one of Australia’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters – but now his values don’t ‘align’ with the company
- Pat Cummins expressed ‘ethical objections’ about Alinta Energy partnership
- Last summer he starred in a major ad campaign for the top polluter
- Whimsical ad featured Test captain answering calls for Alinta while doing yoga
- The electricity and gas generator is one of country’s biggest emitters
- Cummins on Tuesday said that he won’t appear in Alinta’s ads this season
Australia’s climate-crusading cricket captain Pat Cummins starred in an ad campaign for Alinta Energy, a year before he objected to Cricket Australia’s $40million sponsorship deal with the company due to ‘ethical concerns.’
Cummins was front and centre in two TV commercials for the electricity and gas generator- which is one of the country’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters – last summer alongside teammates Nathan Lyon, Marnus Labuschagne and Aaron Finch.
However, a year on, Cummins expressed concerns to Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley that the major polluter is no longer ‘aligned’ with the values of he and other star players.
The TV ads resurfaced on Tuesday, with one showing Cummins and the star cricketers in meetings with Alinta staff, brainstorming ideas on how to do ‘better’ for customers.
Test captain Pat Cummins has ‘ethical objections’ about Alinta Energy remaining on board as Cricket Australia’s principal partner, despite appearing in several ads for the energy provider=
In one Alinta Energy ad last summer, Pat Cummins uses his nose to take a customer’s call
‘How about if everyone gets a smart home,’ Cummins muses in one ad. He then shows the team around his voice-activated home where the fireplace turns on, the blender explodes and sprinklers turn on inside in response to his demands.
In a separate ad where players answer customer calls in various challenging scenarios, Cummins uses the tip of his nose to answer his phone in the middle of a complex yoga pose.
‘Seeing Pat Cummins answer his phone with his nose while contorted in a yoga pose epitomizes the Alinta Energy ethos of going the extra mile for customers,’ said Bastion Executive Creative Director Georgia Arnott said at the time.
The ad resurfaced on Tuesday after Cummins’s approach to Cricket Australia’s CEO about the governing body’s Alinta deal came to light in the pages of the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Wasn’t Pat Cummins in the Alinta Energy advertising campaign?’ asked One Nation MP Mark Latham.
Pat Cummins starred in a series of ads promoting Alinta Energy less than 12 months ago
Cummins on Tuesday confirmed he will not appear in any Alinta ads this season, despite authorities insisting his stance on climate change did not prompt the company to cut ties with the sport.
Cummins fronted a press conference in Brisbane on Tuesday regarding his new appointment as ODI skipper, but the focus quickly moved to his reported objections to the soon-to-end sponsorship arrangement with Cricket Australia (CA).
The Test captain has previously been in television advertisements for Alinta Energy, but was asked whether it was correct he would not be appearing in them this coming season.
‘Yes, 100 per cent,’ Cummins said.
While Cummins told reporters he had not put pressure on CA to end the deal, he said players have a role in deciding which organisations they want to be associated with.
‘It has always been a balance,’ he said.
Pat Cummins (pictured with his partner Becky Boston) recently expressed ‘ethical objections’ to Cricket Australia that its principal partner no longer ‘aligned’ with his personal views
‘We have seen certain players make decisions based on religions, or certain foods they eat, where they won’t partner with specific partners.
‘Every organisation has a responsibility to do what’s right for the sport and what they think is right for the organisation, and I hope society when it moves forward.
‘It is a balance when you make decisions about who you are going to welcome into the cricket family.’
Cummins reiterated on several occasions the Australian players had supported CA’s partners and appreciated what they had done for the game.
Netball Australia has this week been forced to defend a sponsorship deal with mining giant Hancock Prospecting despite opposition from within the Diamonds squad.
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