Bill English got casual 'costume' for TV promo

ANDREW GORRIE/Dominion Post

BEHIND THE SCENES: Documents issued under the Official Information Act show TVNZ sought "signoff" for the final promotion and advertising material with Bill English's press secretary.

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Politicians are used to getting a slap of makeup and maybe their hair done when they go into the studio for a television interview – but Finance Minister Bill English was provided with a "costume" of casual clothes for his promotion during TVNZ7's month-long focus on the economy.

Documents issued under the Official Information Act show TVNZ sought "signoff" for the final promotion and advertising material with Mr English's press secretary and provided updates on progress. In an email on October 2, his office told TVNZ head of corporate affairs Peter Parussini: "Bill happy with both the banner and the advert itself."

But the broadcaster also asked for Mr English's vital statistics so it could "have one change of dress in the shoot, into casual for Mr English".

The answer, for anyone interested in getting the measure of the deputy prime minister, was size 10 for shoes, 42cm for shirt neck size and 100cm waist for trousers. The clothes were lent, not given, to Mr English, his spokesman said.

The 45-second advertisement for the Spotlight on the Economy series started playing on October 18 and was to run until November 21. TVNZ has defended the advertisement as "a creative idea, not a political idea".

But after Labour complained that the advert provided $1 million free publicity to National, TVNZ said it had always planned to phase out the promotion, which included prime-time slots on TV One and TV2.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Arron   #20   10:22 am Nov 06 2009

must be a slow news day. if people care about this then they have sad lives, unless you are Phil Goff then good on you.

brent white   #19   09:57 am Nov 06 2009

this is not news.

Yusuf   #18   08:56 am Nov 06 2009

Of course he's going to have to be provided with a change of clothes - Old Bill isn't going to turn up to an ad shoot with a suitcase of a range of casual and formal wear, is he?

karlos   #17   08:52 am Nov 06 2009

100cm waist? Might have to start taking the stairs Mr English

bjammin   #16   08:48 am Nov 06 2009

To #9, #10, #11, #12, #13,

Well, you guys all read it. That makes it news.

Forbsie   #15   08:43 am Nov 06 2009

Why are you reporting this nonsense? Vernon Small clearly has nothinfg to do....get a job man!

Richard   #14   08:42 am Nov 06 2009

is it a slow news day?

Can I suggest a news story? New Zealand media standards slip to the gutter journalism of the USA.

matt   #13   08:40 am Nov 06 2009

THIS IS NOT NEWS. I learned nothing from this! Come on - If it is in the top 4 stories at the top of the homepage it should be worth reading. Start reporting news...please!

bjammin   #12   08:32 am Nov 06 2009

Communists? Are you actually serious when you write stuff like that? To believe it is just weird. The simple fact is English and TVNZ have made fools of themselves with this whole pathetic affair. What if Labour had done it? You'd all be screeching and finger-pointing. And so would I. It's a clear case of misuse of the public broadcasting system by a political party. But because National did it, some of you think its just FINE. Well, don't let your dislike of the 'Left' defeat your common sense.

Ivor   #11   08:25 am Nov 06 2009

Seriously. How is this news?

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