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Mediacorp drops local actor Shane Pow after drink driving charge

Mediacorp drops local actor Shane Pow after drink driving charge

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Mediacorp has parted ways with local actor Shane Pow after he received a drink driving charge last week. In a press statement, Mediacorp's spokesperson said the company was not aware of the drink driving charge which took place in September 2020. Pow's failure to inform the artiste management team, coupled with a separate breach of COVID-19 safe management measures in an incident that took place in October last year, has led to Mediacorp dropping Pow from its future works.

"We do not condone any behaviour that runs afoul of the law. We constantly remind our artistes that their fans and members of the public look to them as role models, and they are expected to behave as such," Mediacorp said in its statement.  According to multiple media reports including one on Channel News Asia, this is Pow's second charge for drink driving, his first being in 2014. Pow has not yet released a statement on the matter. 

Due to ongoing contractual commitments, Pow is still required to complete outstanding work until 4 May 2021. Mediacorp clarified that Pow is involved with two upcoming drama series which are scheduled for June and July.

"In consideration for the efforts of the entire cast and crew, and the investments that have been put into these two productions, [both drama series] will be aired as planned," Mediacorp added. 

A quick check by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE showed that Pow has featured several brands in his Instagram profile such as adidas, Cheers, Eversoft, H&M, MCM Worldwide, Paragon, and Tag Heuer. In a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, a spokesperson from Paragon said its collaboration with Pow was a one-time engagement to feature a Christmas gift guide last year. Similarly, a Cheers' spokesperson said it had a one-off engagement with Pow for its "London Fat Duck ghost pepper fish skin" challenge. The spokesperson clarified that Cheers is currently not working with Pow and do not have any plans to do so in the near future.

"Pow has displayed creativity and professionalism in his craft during our one-off engagement for the "London Fat Duck ghost pepper fish skin" challenge. May he move on from this episode and make better choices in the road ahead," Cheers' spokesperson said. Meanwhile, adidas has declined to comment. Eversoft, H&M, MCM Worldwide, and Tag Heuer did not respond to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE's queries.

Last October, Pow was also embroiled in a separate case of COVID-19 safety measure breach. Pow was one of the 13 Mediacorp artistes that were found gathering, allegedly to celebrate the birthday of local actor Jeffery Xu. At the time of offence, the Singapore government's mandate for social gatherings was to have no more than five people in a group. This was to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. 

In an Instagram post after the incident then, Pow apologised for his "disappointing actions". He said he was "deeply regretful" of his actions and risking the health and wellness of the people around him by flouting safety measures. "Social responsibility is a shared responsibility, and I should also have been a better example as a public figure," he said, adding that he "will be do better". According to Mediacorp, Pow was fined for this offence and internal disciplinary action was also taken.

This is not the first time a public figure was dropped by brands after found to have committed inappropriate actions. Last August, local radio station POWER 98 and production company Night Owl Cinematics (NOC) distanced themselves with online personality Darryl Ian Koshy (better known as Dee Kosh), following Koshy's accusations of sexual harassment. 

Similarly in Malaysia earlier this year, radio station Hot FM fired comedian Mohammad Shukri Mohamed Sahar from his radio presenter role after he reportedly violated the service contract. According to Harian Metro which quoted Ripple group general manager, audience and marketing Anida Mohd Tahrim, Shukri was found to have breached the agreement terms of his contract following an internal investigation. Separately last year, sports shoe brand ASICS Malaysia also distanced from former Miss Universe Malaysia, Samantha Katie James, after she shared her views online about the Black Lives Matter protests in America. Her social media posts, which was deemed insensitive to netizen, said Black people in America should "relax" and "take it as a challenge" that makes them stronger. 

(Photo courtesy: Shane Pow's Instagram)

Related Articles:
ASICS distances from former Miss Universe Malaysia for race-related IG posts
Red Bull Thailand's parent company distances from creator's grandson
Radio station POWER 98 distances from Dee Kosh after sexual allegations

 

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