RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Controversial Video Callaway Golf ends partnership with Good Good Golf after controversial ad The ad was deleted on social media and the brands apologized after backlash.
Callaway Golf has ended its partnership with Good Good Golf over an ad that showed a man forcefully shoving a woman to the ground. WPVI Callaway Golf has ended its partnership with Good Good Golf following backlash over an ad that showed a man forcefully shoving a woman to the ground.
Callaway Golf announced the end of the partnership on Thursday in a social media post in which the company also said it will donate $1 million to "organizations working to prevent violence against women."
"These actions do not undo the harm caused or excuse our role in it," the company said in a statement, referring to the online ad that showed a man on the golf course shoving a woman to the ground when she reaches for his driver. "We sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt, disappointed, or offended by this incident.
Good Good Golf, a golf-focused entertainment company, also took to social media Thursday to announce the company will "step away" as a sponsor of a PGA Tour event in Austin this fall.
"We recognize that we have work to do as an organization, and our focus right now is on our team, our culture and ensuring we learn from this situation," Good Good Golf said in its statement online.
Earlier this week, Good Good Golf and Callaway Golf each issued separate apologies for the ad, which was posted on social media last week to promote a co-branded driver.
The online ad featured Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark and Alexis Miestowski, a former collegiate golfer who now works with Good Good Golf. In the video, Clark is seen running after and shoving Miestowski to the ground after she reaches for the driver in his golf bag.
"Do not touch my new driver," Clark says to Miestowski, leaning over her as she lies on the ground.
Later in the ad, another man pulls the driver out of the golf bag and takes swings with it while Clark looks on.
The ad was removed from social media by the two companies after it received backlash for promoting violence against women.
In its apology, posted online on Saturday, Good Good Golf said the video "ultimately depicted actions that are not aligned with our values as a brand."
"We have since taken that content down, and sincerely apologize," the company said. "Good Good has always stood for making the game of golf more inclusive to all, and we will continue to ensure that is our mission moving forward."
A source close to the company told ABC News earlier this week that its leaders plan to donate to an organization that supports women and plan to bring more voices into the creative process, while also upgrading its approval systems.
In a message posted on social media on Tuesday, Callaway Golf's CEO Chip Brewer said the company was investigating the matter and making "changes to our approval processes aimed at ensuring this will never happen again."
"While the video was produced by Good Good, it was approved by Callaway prior to posting. That approval should never have happened," CEO Chip Brewer said in the statement. "Mistakes were made, and we are taking the matter very seriously."
"As we deal with the consequences of our mistake and complete our investigations, I want to make it clear that we sincerely apologize for the video," Brewer continued. "The content was inappropriate and does not reflect our values. To be clear: We are unequivocally against discrimination, domestic violence, or threatening behavior of any kind."
Callaway Golf is an official partner of both the Ladies Professional Golf Association and the Professional Golf Association.
Since 2020, the number of female recreational golfers has grown by 45%, compared to a 12% rise among men, according to the National Golf Foundation. In total, women comprise 28% of all recreational golfers in the U.S.
If you need help or need help supporting someone else, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 or chat online at TheHotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7.
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