SCOTT SUES P&G
By Adnews Staff
Scott Paper Ltd. is taking Procter & Gamble to court over what Scott charges is misleading advertising for Bounty paper towels in Canadaa. Scott says that P&G has exaggerated Bounty's absorptive capacity in television and real life demonstrations comparing Bounty sheets with "another leading brand". Scott complains that P&G fails to tell consumers Bounty sheets are two inches longer than the industry standard. Also, says Scott, the tag line "Quicker Picker Upper" implies the product can absorb more quickly than other towels, yet there is no proven difference in the rates of absorption. The phrase "Now here in Canada" implies that the Bounty sold in Canada is the same product that is sold in the U.S., but Scott says the product is inferior to its U.S. counterpart. P&G external affairs manager Jacqui d'Eon told Adnews yesterday that the company is "surprised and disappointed" at the suit. Most of the advertising has been running since the middle of 1995. After some letter writing the two companies agreed on an impartial forum to discuss their differences in October, but Scott pulled out. Scott is seeking a permanent injunction against the ads and $1 million for damages. The disputed TV advertising and promotions were done by Leo Burnett Company of Toronto.