THEY were the wonder shoes that promised to tone your butt while you walked, giving the wearer the long, lean muscle tone so beautifully embodied by supermodel and yoga devotee Miranda Kerr.
Except they didn’t — it was all a big fat falsehood.
The Federal Court in Perth today ordered Reebok Australia pay $350,000 for making false claims that its EasyTone shoes would tone the wearer’s calves, thighs and buttocks.
Long and lean ... the Reebok campaign featuring Miranda Kerr was shot by celebrity photographer Rankin. Source: Getty Images
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission took court action over the advertising of the shoes — modelled by Kerr in a huge advertising campaign shot by celebrity snapper Rankin — between September 2011 and February 2013.
Reebok had claimed that walking in a pair of EasyTone shoes, with their signature curved soles, would increase muscle tone more than regular sneakers.
Want a body like this? ... Miranda Kerr shows off her best yoga moves in the Reebok Easytone campaign. Source:Supplied
But the court today said those claims — clearly marked on shoe boxes and tags — were misleading and false, the ABC reports.
The ACCC said in a statement that businesses had a responsibility to ensure that claims about their products were accurate.
“This is particularly important in cases such as this where it is difficult for consumers to independently verify the claims,” Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
In a statement, Reebok Australia told Fairfax Media that the firm’s customers were the first priority.
“We are happy to have resolved the ACCC’s inquiry over our historical EasyTone advertising so that we can return our focus to inspiring people everywhere to be their absolute best,” Reebok’s brand manager said.
Reebok has agreed to the fine and will provide a refund of $35 per pair of shoes purchased to customers who feel they suffered loss or damage.
Reebok fined for misleading customers over EasyTone shoes modelled by Miranda Kerr
Except they didn’t — it was all a big fat falsehood.
The Federal Court in Perth today ordered Reebok Australia pay $350,000 for making false claims that its EasyTone shoes would tone the wearer’s calves, thighs and buttocks.
Long and lean ... the Reebok campaign featuring Miranda Kerr was shot by celebrity photographer Rankin. Source: Getty Images
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission took court action over the advertising of the shoes — modelled by Kerr in a huge advertising campaign shot by celebrity snapper Rankin — between September 2011 and February 2013.
Reebok had claimed that walking in a pair of EasyTone shoes, with their signature curved soles, would increase muscle tone more than regular sneakers.
Want a body like this? ... Miranda Kerr shows off her best yoga moves in the Reebok Easytone campaign. Source:Supplied
But the court today said those claims — clearly marked on shoe boxes and tags — were misleading and false, the ABC reports.
The ACCC said in a statement that businesses had a responsibility to ensure that claims about their products were accurate.
“This is particularly important in cases such as this where it is difficult for consumers to independently verify the claims,” Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
In a statement, Reebok Australia told Fairfax Media that the firm’s customers were the first priority.
“We are happy to have resolved the ACCC’s inquiry over our historical EasyTone advertising so that we can return our focus to inspiring people everywhere to be their absolute best,” Reebok’s brand manager said.
Reebok has agreed to the fine and will provide a refund of $35 per pair of shoes purchased to customers who feel they suffered loss or damage.
Reebok fined for misleading customers over EasyTone shoes modelled by Miranda Kerr
