B&TB&TB&T
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Search
Trending topics:
  • Cairns Crocodiles
  • Nine
  • Seven
  • Cannes Lions
  • NRL
  • AFL
  • WPP
  • State of Origin
  • B&T Women in Media
  • Thinkerbell
  • Pinterest
  • imaa
  • Anthony Albanese
  • Meta
  • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • ARN
  • Foxtel
  • TV Ratings
  • Radio Ratings
  • Sports Marketing

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
Reading: Casey Donovan’s Coles Ad Slammed As “Cheap And Tacky” And Career Suicide
Share
B&TB&T
Subscribe
Search
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
B&T > Advertising > Casey Donovan’s Coles Ad Slammed As “Cheap And Tacky” And Career Suicide
Advertising

Casey Donovan’s Coles Ad Slammed As “Cheap And Tacky” And Career Suicide

Staff Writers
Published on: 12th May 2017 at 10:25 AM
Staff Writers
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Here at B&T we always thought 70s British rockers Status Quo were a slightly odd choice to front a Coles commercial, but the latest iteration featuring Casey Donovan singing the “Down Down” theme seems to have moved past curious to plain old furious.

The ongoing campaign is part of Coles’ concerted effort to show its cheaper than arch-rival Woolies and can match it with the budget player ALDI.

However, the new versions with Casey Donovan have been labelled “cheap and tacky” and a terrible career move for the singer who reignited interest in her flagging musical career when she won Ten’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here earlier this year.

Prior to her win on the reality show, Donovan had reportedly abandoned music due to a lack of opportunities and was making ends meet as an Uber driver.

Donovan was reportedly paid $30,000 to appear in the the ads that are filmed in the UK as they feature members of Status Quo who apparently refuse to fly to Australia for the filming.

There are two iterations of the ads that you can check out below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPkD6rIH2MM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFe5po7Egf0

However, News.com.au is reporting comments from an “industry insider” who is scathing of Donovan’s decision to align herself with Coles.

“It just looks so cheap and tacky and it’s terrible for her,” the mystery commentator is quoted as saying.

“It’s fine to do an ad for Coles, but not as bad as this. It’s a shocker — the hair, the red, the ‘down down’,

“She’s seen as the girl who’s had a tough ride but was pretty cool — this has derailed the coolness. For an artist, it’s seen as a sell out,” they added.

The industry insider also lambasted Donovan’s management for approving the final ads. However, a spokesperson from her management agency said: “Everyone is entitled to an opinion and Casey has also received a great deal of support and congratulations for the campaign from so many others which has been wonderful to see.”

Critics of the ad have also vented their fury via social media. “I love me some Casey Donovan but that Coles add [sic] is making me homicidal,” wrote one. While another added: “I think Casey usually has a lovely voice … But in this ad she sounds like a cat that someone has stepped on its tail!”

But apparently the client is happy. News quoting a Coles spokesperson who said they’s had “fantastic feedback from our customers and our team since we launched our new Down Down ads and Casey’s new role as lead singer of our reinvigorated campaign.”

Join more than 30,000 advertising industry experts
Get all the latest advertising and media news direct to your inbox from B&T.

No related posts.

TAGGED: Advertising Standards Bureau, Casey Donovan, Mobile Marketing Association, UM Melbourne
Share
Staff Writers
By Staff Writers
Follow:
Staff Writers represent B&T's team of award-winning reporters. Here, you'll find articles crafted with industry experience spanning over 50 years. Our team of specialists brings together a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to delivering insightful, topical, and breaking news. With a deep understanding of advertising and media, our Staff Writers are dedicated to providing industry-leading analysis and reporting, both shaping the conversation and setting the benchmark for excellence.

Latest News

Agency Scorecard: Special
09/07/2025
Agency Scorecard: iProspect
09/07/2025
Meet Adland’s Best Number-Whisperers In The Best Of The Best Data Scientists!
09/07/2025
State Vs State, Campaign Vs Campaign: Brands Go Head-To-Head In The Origin Decider
09/07/2025
//

B&T is Australia’s leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries.

 

B&T is owned by parent company The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.

About B&T

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise

Top Categories

  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • TV Ratings

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



B&TB&T
Follow US
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?