Marketing Email Draws Criticism
Discount voucher company Wowcher has issued an apology following widespread criticism of a marketing email that appeared to reference a recent incident where a toddler was attacked by a crocodile at a zoo. The email, sent to customers, featured the subject line: "Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!"
Details of the Incident
The controversial email was distributed on Saturday, just days after a three-year-old boy sustained serious injuries from at least one crocodile. The incident occurred on Thursday at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, when the child reportedly ended up in the crocodile enclosure during a family visit. Zoo staff were able to pull the boy from the enclosure, and he is currently in a critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Company's Response and Public Outcry
Screenshots of the email quickly circulated across social media platforms, leading to significant public outrage. In response, Wowcher released a statement expressing extreme regret for the "unacceptable" wording. The company affirmed, "It should never have been written, it was never approved for use. The responsibility sits with us and we are urgently reviewing how our processes failed." They also acknowledged the "hurt and distress it has caused, particularly for the young child's family at this unimaginably difficult time."
Customers reacted strongly to the email, with some announcing their immediate unsubscribe from Wowcher's mailing list and others condemning the message as "disgusting."
Ongoing Investigations and Internal Review
Following the crocodile attack, a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He has since been bailed as he was deemed "unfit for interview." Police were alerted to the incident by the ambulance service and confirmed the boy, who was not known to the arrested man, suffered serious injuries "while in the enclosure."
Wowcher has stated that it is reviewing all scheduled marketing content and is actively working to strengthen its creative, approval, and sign-off safeguards to prevent similar incidents. The company reiterated, "There is no excuse for this. We apologise unreservedly and will take the necessary steps to make sure this does not happen again."
Source: Wowcher sorry for 'unacceptable' crocodile attack email