Studio 88 exits MacG deal ‘with immediate effect’

Another sponsor has walked out on MacG. Studio 88 severed its ties with the podcast after one episode.

By / / Viral
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The defiance MacG displayed in refusing to publicly apologise to the LGBTQI+ community for the ignorant comments made on his podcast has backfired.

Studio 88 walks out on MacG deal

In a span of a day after social media was ruptured by a disruptive partnership between Studio 88 and the Podcast and Chill with MacG, the urban retailer has doubled back on its commitment and walked out of the deal.

Studio 88 marketing head Loren Lennox revealed to Times Live that initially, an agreement was in place to test the waters with a four-episode category sponsorship.

MacG’s team approached the urban retailer seeking a deal, carrying along with them a high growth rate in their subscription base. This, Lennox said, was in line with Studio 88’s positioning and without considering the ramifications of associating with a transphobic platform, the deal was confirmed and the first sight of the branding was seen on Tuesday’s episode.

However, a short introspection — and perhaps a phone call or two — changed everything. A day after the deal was celebrated on social media, Studio 88 announced that it had pulled its involvement with the podcast with immediate effect.

“The Studio 88 Group stands firmly against the harmful and offensive commentary and statements made by MacG during one of his recent ’Podcast and Chill with MacG’ episodes, as same goes against our core values and beliefs as a company group in South Africa.

“In light of the above, the Studio 88 Group wish to distance ourselves completely from the aforementioned statements, podcast and its host/(s). We have, therefore, taken the decision to terminate, with immediate effect, any business/sponsorship relationship we may have with MacG,” the statement read.

Social media backs a black-balled podder

The shocking reversal made its way to social media, where MacG’s hive has muted the ovations of the LGBTQI+ community. Fans of the podcast bemoaned the corporate black-balling MacG has suffered.

Here are some of their reactions.

Till this day, MacG and his co-hosts have refused to issue a formal apology for their reckless comments.