BR Video: Public says let Sugar work for government and keep BBC show

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 17-Jun-09, 08:00

LONDON - After the Tories criticised Sir Alan Sugar for working with both the BBC and the Government, the public tells Brand Republic Video it was the wrong call -- watch it now.

Sugar, whose profile has enjoyed a massive boost from the popularity of BBC show 'The Apprentice', was appointed as enterprise tsar by prime minister Gordon Brown last week.

The people interviewed by Brand Republic were positive about the appointment and many said Sugar was a good role model.

Only one out of the eight people interviewed believed the Tories were right to argue that Sugar should have to choose between his role at the BBC and his role with the Government.

Shadow Culture, Media and Sport secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Presenting a programme for the BBC and working for the Government on the same issue is totally incompatible with the BBC's rules on political independence and impartiality."

One man interviewed by Brand Republic who agreed with the Tories said Sugar should devote himself to one or the other role and said people were getting tired of MPs having sideline jobs.

But others were happy for him to take both roles, saying he would be a good enterprise tsar as he was "straight-talking" and has done "a lot for the country by generating cash and jobs".

One woman also expressed the sentiment "As long as he's not off the TV I wouldn't mind either way...He comes across as a real straight-forward talking person."

Comments

Bob Ashwood - 11/07/2009

Your sample of eight 'public' is, may I say, a tad on the small side and makes the issue a trifle trifling. Sir Alan's Apprentice TV persona is about as relevant as Marco Pierre White's self-parody TV persona. Sir Alan wouldn't give 99% of the muppets vying for his six-figure job the time of day if it were not for the fact that it's good for format TV ratings. Equally, Marco is still one of the greatest chefs of all time despite the fact that he endorses Knorr stock cubes. What Sir Alan does behind closed doors in the name of real business is what matters. Yes, on telly he comes across as a straight-spoken bloke and is clearly a smart businessman. That's no reason to assume he's going to be the saviour of British industry. I hope he is. God I do so. But let's not be influenced by his Ann Robinson act on what is in essence a game show by any other name. Bob Ashwood, Creative Brand Strategist.