Procter & Gamble ends advertising on sanctioned Georgian broadcaster

Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) has ended its advertising relationship with Georgia’s Imedi TV after the broadcaster was placed under UK sanctions and accused of promoting pro-Russian narratives.

The company, which owns brands including Gillette and Pampers, had continued advertising on the channel after Imedi TV was added to the UK sanctions list in February. However, an internal investigation led by John Brandon, a senior director and head of P&G’s European ethics and compliance office, resulted in the company terminating its business relationship with the broadcaster on June 22, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Food and consumer goods company Nestlé has also launched an internal review of its relationship with Imedi TV. Several other international firms, including the commercial arm of the BBC, ceased cooperation with the broadcaster shortly after sanctions were imposed.

In a statement cited by the publication, a P&G spokesperson said the company complies with sanctions regulations in all markets where it operates and had not violated UK sanctions rules. The spokesperson added that the company had voluntarily revised its approach and suspended advertising on Imedi TV in Georgia.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the broadcaster had disseminated misleading information related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to the FCDO, the channel has promoted narratives portraying the Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as illegitimate, describing Ukraine as a Western-controlled state and alleging efforts by Ukraine and its allies to destabilise Georgia.

By Sabina Mammadli