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So.. this image popped up on the Smirnoff Ireland Facebook page on Monday. Only saw it when Jim Sheridan tweeted:

Can anyone confirm this is an official pic from Smirnoff..Is Katie sponsored by them?twitpic.com/ag4wj3

— Jim Sheridan (@Jim_Sheridan) August 6, 2012

It really takes the bandwagoning (brandwagoning?) biscuit by giving the impression that Katie Taylor is sponsored by Smirnoff Ireland with the “Good luck Katie, we’re right behind you” message. Most other brands (businesses large and small) are content with a message of support along with a photo of Katie. There’s no harm in that – Katie Taylor is the number one talking point around the country. Smirnoff Ireland have gone beyond that with their graphic.

Not only does it look like they are part of Team Katie, they are forgetting the fact that Katie Taylor doesn’t drink.

“Famously clean living ? Katie Taylor doesn’t drink ‘ she takes her position as a role model very seriously.”

In response to an email I sent to Diageo asking if they were sponsoring Katie (I wasn’t 100% sure before writing this blog post), I was told:

“In answer to your question Smirnoff Ireland is not sponsoring Katie Taylor. The inclusion of the symbol was a gesture of goodwill in lieu of Katie’s forthcoming performances and success.”

Here’s a Facebook Marketing 101 class for Smirnoff:

• Don’t make your status updates so obviously planned
• Don’t make it look like your brand is sponsoring someone who doesn’t use any of your products
• Don’t reduce the tricolour to a mere backdrop for a bottle of vodka and a pair of boxing gloves