B&T’s Tokyo Wrap: Your Daily Dose Of All The Game’s Best Gaffes, Blunders & Cultural Insensitivities
The Tokyo Olympics has kicked off. Besides the joy of watching athletes excel in their respected sports, the Olympics always serves as an opportunity for media blunders.
The Games officially commenced on Friday, and the coverage of the Olympics has already managed to make its own headlines.
The opening ceremony kicked off with a Canadian reporter who made a fatal error when he incorrectly referred to Indigenous Australian athlete Patty Mills as a woman.
The reporter interrupted the moving moment of Patty Mills and swimmer, Catty Campbell jointly carrying The Australian flag, to interject with this now infamous clanger: “And you know what, I think they had two women carry the flag.
“Cate Campbell the swimmer and Patty Mills the basketball player.”
Naturally, Twitter had some thoughts about the misgendering of Mills.
Why homework is important 🤦♀️ #tokyo2020 #goaussies 🇦🇺 @AUSOlympicTeam https://t.co/rBSesP4Icm
— JACKI MITCHELL 🇦🇺 (@JackiMitchellAU) July 23, 2021
we get Bruce the Olympic Encyclopaedia, Canada gets a dude calling Patty Mills a woman. https://t.co/81ptmZRJKB
— Lachy France (@lachyheel) July 23, 2021
🤦♀️Canadia called Patty Mills a woman 😂 https://t.co/QnNgwO55oJ
— Shelley⚓ (@wheresshelly) July 23, 2021
While that Canadian reporter definitely made a blunder, he was quite clearly outdone by South Korean television station MBC, who took a very unique approach to the coverage of the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
The station made a series of offensive blunders, in an attempt to give context to its viewers.
As Italian athletes arrived at the opening ceremony the station put up an image of a pizza. Team Romania’s introduction was accompanied by an image of Dracula. El Salvador was identified with a picture of cryptocurrency. The Queen’s image appeared when the United Kingdom team arrived.
More jarringly, when Ukrainian athletes entered the arena, MBC moved away from stereotypes and instead of using an image of a chicken Kiev, the broadcaster decided to go with an image of the Chernobyl disaster – one of the worst nuclear incidents in history.
And they just kept coming. The station did not stop at stereotypes and cliches as a way to introduce countries to its viewers.
When Haiti’s athletes appeared on the screen, their appearance was met with a caption that read: “The political situation is fogged by the assassination of the president.”
Syrian athletes were treated to the same offensive treatment, with a caption that read: “Rich underground resources: a civil war that has been going on for 10 years.”
Unsurprisingly, social media erupted.
Mbc just ruined the mood of Olympics https://t.co/NlXfdLos0L
— TVfXQ Soul (@thejjkimm) July 24, 2021
I just found out the MBC Tokyo Olympics controversy. LOL as a journalist my self, what they did is far from a mistake. It's disaster 😂 how could they did that😂 All i can see is it's intentional or it was made by an internship on his 1st day 🤣
— Mituanzy🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥 (@Mituanzy) July 24, 2021
Totally disrespectful. The government should give MBC a red flag or warning. Using inappropriate or disrespectful introduction to introduce several countries in Olympic opening ceremony is truly unprofessional.
I don't know why they thought it was okay for doing it.— areecalifornia (@liebe_areeca) July 24, 2021
MBC has since issued an apology, the statement read: “The images and captions are intended to make it easier for the viewers to understand the entering countries quickly during the opening ceremony.
“However we admit that there was a lack of consideration for the countries concerned and inspection was not thorough enough. It is an inexcusable mistake.”
The broadcaster, thankfully, also announced it would review its editorial process.
Meanwhile, Channel Seven angered Australian viewers when it failed to broadcast The Matilda’s soccer game, to include the team’s first goal, you couldn’t even catch the moment on Seven’s streaming service.
Matilda fans took to Twitter, to share their disappointment.
Honestly @Channel7 sort it out, missed the #Matildas goal because of this #Olympics https://t.co/Yo4dUCEtve
— Dillon Maikousis (@dmaikousis) July 24, 2021
Thanks @channel7 for cutting to the equestrian so we missed the @matildas goal.
— David brooks (@Davidwebrooks) July 24, 2021
'Disgrace' is the right term for Seven.
'Disgrace' – Channel Seven slammed for Matildas mishap during Olympics loss to Sweden https://t.co/4jRCIXn6hP
— Marty C. (@MCharoensak) July 25, 2021
However, it wasn’t just the media that were making blunders. Poor Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten threw her hands in the air to celebrate winning gold, only to be told she’d actually won silver.
Later, the cyclist tearfully told reporters that she really did think she had won gold.
While it seems too hard to imagine, the coverage could get any worse, anything can happen at the Olympics.
Latest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.