Well you only have to do a Google News search for Eckoh to see that they’re getting nailed left right and centre. Have a glance down some of the headlines in the screenshot on the right.
I caught this summary sentence in today’s MediaGuardian:
Daily Mirror
Phone company Eckoh severs ties with Richard & Judy and Saturday Kitchen after phone quiz scams. Page 18
The first thing I did? Well, I didn’t look at The Daily Mirror site. No, I went straight to the source. That’s what you do nowadays. I went direct to the Eckoh site to see what their position was.
Turns out they don’t have a public position.
There is NOTHING on their site about them severing ties.
Instead, I was forced to go to the Mirror site and read Martin Fricker’s article which revealed all.
THE makers of the Richard and Judy show and Saturday Kitchen have been dumped by premium phone line firm Eckoh.
Cactus TV were told the provider would no longer work with them after scandals alleging customers were conned into calling high-rate numbers.
Turns out that Eckoh have been doing the politico ‘briefing’ thing — a ‘source’ is quoted in the piece, saying (paraphrasing) that Eckoh are really wound up.
Wound up enough to walk away from a shit load of business from Channel4 and the BBC? I think not 😉 Ergo why no one went on record in The Mirror. Either that or The Mirror are doing that ‘A close friend said’ journalist tactic.
It all stinks doesn’t it? And Eckoh are right there in the middle of it.
And you know what, I don’t have a damn clue what the Eckoh position is on this, because there’s nothing on their news page about it.
Isn’t it time they did some sort of formal announcement, perhaps to correct the avalanche of stories? Either you’re walking away or you’re sticking?
You need to do some more digging then buddy.
Why not try some RNS statements issued by ECK ceo Nik Philpot who says they are carrying the can for lack of compliance on the part of Icstis and the TV and production companies.
I am certain they are not whiter than white but they moved quickly to distance themselves from shoddy journalism and poor company procedures.
Why do you not try to dig something up on Cactus? They were finded last year for using R&J position to fix prices on books.
I’ve got to stick a thumbs up for Eckoh generally. They are a good company and have a fantastic history. Nik Philpot is a very astute and personable fellow. I hope that they bounce back from this very quickly.