Cousins up for Cleo Bachelor of the Year (News Ltd)

[one-eyed]

Cousins a 'marketing stunt'
Daily Telegraph | January 24, 2009 12:00am

CLEO magazine has been accused of using AFL bad boy Ben Cousins as a marketing stunt for its Bachelor Of The Year competition and he's not happy about it.

The recovering addict's photo and profile was included in a folio of 100-odd contenders for the title examined by a judging panel at a Cleo function on Wednesday.

The media was present and a report then went around the country saying Cousins was a "shock" contender for the title, and could make the final 50.

But Cousins specifically declined an offer to be involved via his Richmond AFL club three weeks ago, and was astonished to see his name promoting the competition.

A senior club insider said Cousins didn't want to be involved because of the headlines it would - and did - generate, and that it would divert from his comeback.

"Ben is a recovering addict and doesn't need any more attention than he already gets and that's why he and the club declined Cleo's offer three weeks ago," the insider said.

"Ben, his management and the club were not interested, yet Cleo put his name out and that's very disingenuous."

Another media report issued on Thursday night said Cousins had "pulled out" because of the headlines.

"That's rubbish too - Ben didn't pull out because he was never in, and now he looks like a idiot because there's an impression he took part and then got cold feet."

The final 50 must agree to take part, and if Cousins is voted in by readers he will decline.

Cleo editor Sarah Oakes said the magazine did not issue a press release about Cousins and was unaware how the media discovered his inclusion - even though it was a press call.

"We don't want to create any negative publicity for Ben in any way and we did not set out to do that - it was meant to be confidential," Oakes said.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24954474-5012964,00.html

[richmondrules]

My advise to Ben.

Ignore it all. There's always going to be arses that will try to profit from others with or without their approval. It has happened now it's time to let it go. It's simply not important.

Personally don't think he looks like an idiot. Sure nobody on this site thinks he looks like an idiot.

Just live your life, do your training, and get yourself onto the ground for round one against Carlton where we will pummel the Bloosers and show you exactly how much noise the Yellow and Black army can make. At that moment all this will fade into insignificance and you will remember exactly why you love football and what it's all about.

[Ox]

Ben says thanks....

[richmondrules]

Thanks for passing it on OX

[Ox]

 

[one-eyed]

Ben annoyed by mag stunt
By Luke Dennehy
Sunday Herald-Sun, 25 JAN 2009, Page 127

BEN Cousins' name was thrown up during the week as one of the potential 50 Cleo Bachelor Of The Year entrants, but it looks as if it was a marketing stunt by the magazine.

And anyway, Cousins may not even be a bachelor anymore. He was spotted kissing a mystery brunette at Riva on the St Kilda Marina yesterday afternoon after enjoying lunch with a group of friends.

It appears Cousins was never seriously planning on entering the competition. His club, Richmond, did not want him to be involved, either.

Therefore, you can imagine Cousins' surprise when his name was mentioned in relation to the competition when he had said no to an offer to take part a few weeks ago.

Sources said Cousins and the club's representatives were furious.

Cousins' inadvertent involvement in the competition came about during a media call with judges in Sydney last week.

Cleo magazine editor Sarah Oakes said the magazine never intended to put Cousins' name out there, despite the fact it was a media call.

"We don't want to create any negative publicity for Ben in any way and we did not set out to do that -- it was meant to be confidential,'' Oakes said.