Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer says it will not use Tiger Woods image
in advertising campaigns in the United States for the foreseeable
future.
Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Christophe Babin told Swiss daily Le Matin
on Friday that the company was reacting to "recent events"
surrounding the golfer.
Babin was quoted saying that "we recognize Tiger Woods as a
great sportsman but we have to take account of the sensitivity of
some consumers in relation to recent events."
Woods has taken an indefinite leave from golf to work on
repairing his marriage after numerous allegations of infidelities.
The newspaper said Tag Heuer will continue to support Woods'
charitable foundation but will use other brand ambassadors in U.S.
ads.
The watch maker could not immediately be reached for comment
because the story was released on the newspaper's Web site after
Tag Heuer's headquarters at La Chaux-de-Fonds closed for the
holidays until Jan. 4. The full interview was to be published in
Saturday's editions of Le Matin.
Tag Heuer joins other sponsors in backing away from Woods as
his image has taken a beating since a Thanksgiving holiday car
accident at the golfer's Florida home was followed by an admission
of extramarital "transgressions."
Consulting firm Accenture dropped him as its representative
last weekend, and Gillette said it would stop airing his ads for
their razors.
Tag Heuer initially said Monday it would stand by Woods, but
moderated its support later that day by saying it would assess its
relationship with the world's highest-earning athlete.
