MediaCorp apologises for tsunami e-mail

Friday afternoon saw an EDM sent out to potential and existing advertising clients notifying them of the disaster and the availability of airtime around news reports.

The e-mail, from Corinne Chong vice-president of marketing communications at MediaCorp, reads as follows, “A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake shook Japan in the early afternoon today, unleashing a powerful tsunami that wrecked havoc along the streets of coastal towns. Book your spots in the Weekday Evening News Bundle as the channel brings viewers comprehensive coverage reports on the disaster with extended versions of news bulletins tonight. Call our sales representatives now.”

Prominent blogger Mr Brown posted the e-mail late afternoon on Friday, prompting a slew of comments and criticisms across blog sites and social media.

MediaCorp then issued the following statement of apology from Edwin Koh, senior vice-president of marketing and sales.

“Netizens have criticised an electronic direct mail (EDM) sent by MediaCorp Marketing Communications canvassing for advertisements on Channel NewsAsia, shortly after the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan yesterday."

“We apologise unreservedly if we had been seen to be insensitive to the gravity of the situation. The staff concerned has been counselled to be more circumspect, we hope the public will be forgiving and we can focus our attention and efforts on the affected victims of this most unfortunate tragedy,” added Koh.