Last week B&T reported ‘Fiji Water Girl’ was suing Fiji Water for creating an unauthorised marketing campaign – This week, Fiji Water is countersuing Fiji Water Girl.
Fiji Water has taken aim at Fiji Water Girl, countersuing the model who rose to fame at last month’s Golden Globes after she photobombed unsuspecting celebrities on the red carpet while working as a promo model for Fiji Water.
In an exclusive given to The New York Post’s Page Six, Fiji Water claimed in court papers that model Kelleth Cuthbert (real name Steinbach) has “bitten the hand that feeds her”.
The legal battle ensued after Steinbach claimed Fiji Water used her image in an unauthorised marketing campaigning.
Fiji fired back and alleged Steinbach’s claims were false, and that she was the one who “materially breached” a contract which permitted the user of her likeness in Fiji Water ads.
In its counterclaim, Fiji Water alleged Steinbach and her team agreed to a one-year deal that would give her $A90,000 ($A127,000) as a brand ambassador, and that Fiji could use her “name, likeness and performance” during the term.
Fiji Water claims she confirmed she would sign on as brand ambassador in a local TV interview and was then videotaped signing the agreement, where she was allegedly shown the cardboard cutouts and told about the plan to place them in stores.
It is then alleged that Steinbech took “took the only signed copy of the Consulting Agreement with her”.
Fiji Water also alleges Steinbach agreed not to promote competing brands and that she’s breached her deal by appearing in other campaigns, and on shows including The Bold and the Beautiful.
Fiji wants the case to be tossed as well as compensatory damages and legal fees.
