Alex spotted a big spread in today’s Sun newspaper claiming that David Guest was axed from ITV’s I’m a Celebrity show by mistake — because of a fumbling of text votes, allegedly, so the article reports, by mobile service provider, MIG.
More than 30,000 phone votes for Gest, 48  favourite to win the ITV1 show  are alleged to have been lost.
Premium phone rate service regulator Icstis last night began an investigation into the new row over phoneline voting for top shows  and asked to see our files.
The probe came as the firm handling the votes claimed the emails were fakes.
ITV admitted there had been a computer system failure on the night of the vote, November 30 last year  but said all votes were eventually counted.
ITV questions the validity of the ‘leaked emails’, calling them a ‘malicious fabrication’.
No response on either of the MIG or Eckoh websites as yet.
you are being too selective with your news and seem to have a grudge.
13 March 2007
Eckoh plc
(Eckoh or “the Company”)
Eckoh Response to Latest Press Comment Today
Eckoh is aware that its integrity and professional reputation has been brought
into question by a series of articles in the press in the past three weeks based
on information provided by a “source”.
The information that has been provided has been largely misleading, inaccurate,
and more recently completely fabricated. The Company’s primary concern has
always been that the public are not deceived and it believes that it has a duty
to defend its reputation and those of its customers.
As a result, the Company is taking legal advice against those supplying this
information and is reporting the matter to the police today.
Nik Philpot, CEO of Eckoh said: “We believe that the emails quoted in today’s
Sun newspaper have been maliciously fabricated by a source to cause maximum
impact and damage. We have carried out all the necessary checks and are positive
that these emails never existed.
Eckoh and its staff have been put under intense scrutiny in recent weeks and
this simply cannot continue. We are taking legal advice against those supplying
false information and we will today be reporting the matter to the police.
We regret having to take the latest step but we can see no other option to try
and bring this unfortunate episode to a conclusion. We will not further risk our
reputation which we have built up over many years of good practice, or bring the
reputation of our customers into disrepute.”
Enquiries:
Eckoh plc
Nik Philpot 08701 100 700
Adam Moloney
Jim Hennigan
Corporate Synergy
Brian Stockbridge +44 20 7448 4400
David Seal
Corfin Communications
Harry Chathli +44 20 7929 8989
Ends
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
RSPILFLFVFIVLID
For more information and to contact AFX: http://www.afxnews.com
*** end of story ***
Nah no grudges here, just, when I looked at their site this morning, that released wasn’t published. I’m pleased they’ve addressed it.
The release is also on their site here
The Sun’s last circulation figures give it an average net daily of 3,072,392. The Eckoh/I’m A Celeb story was splashed across their front page this morning.
RNS, I’d imagine, gets slightly less readers. It was just another bit of news in an average day, and was probably of little interest unless you’re an Eckoh investor/shareholder etc.
The Sun’s website is ranked 757 in Alexa. Eckoh are ranked 512,810.
Not stating an opinion, but just pointing out facts. If the allegations truely are unfounded, and Eckoh can prove that it’s all lies, then sue The Sun, get the police involved, have a grovelling apology printed, and have a nice time with the damages awarded against The Sun.
What happens in the coming weeks will be interesting for all involved in this industry.