Tesco has been forced to tear down a key execution of its Clubcard Plus ad campaign featuring Spice Girl Mel B after the Spice Up Your Life singer decided she did not Wannabe part of the campaign.
The Clubcard Plus activity, which launched late last week, featured an image of Mel B in a leopard print catsuit, taken at the Brit Awards in 1997.
The text, which was a play on the lyrics of hit-single Stop, stated: “Stop right now. You get 10% off two big shops a month for £7.99.”
But the singer came over all Scary Spice on Instagram and posted a pic of the ad, demanding: “Can the CEO of @tescofood Dave Lewis please contact me urgently.”
Tesco insists that Mel B’s agent had authorised the use of the picture, purchased from Getty Images. A spokesperson said: “Here at Tesco we are really big fans of Mel B and were excited to feature her photo in our campaign. We had authorisation to use this image, but we’re sorry Mel B is unhappy and so we’ve stopped using it.”
The campaign also features Morecambe and Wise as well as an image of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in film noir Casablanca.
Launched last week, Clubcard Plus will give 10% off two big shops worth up to £200 each, every month, plus 10% off F&F, Fred & Flo, Go Cook, Fox & Ivy, Tesco Pet and Carousel all year round, and double data for new and existing Tesco Mobile customers. Tesco insists it could save customers over £400 a year.
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