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Telecom has denied claims a TV advertisement showing spirited Friday night drinks at a fictional client's office is misleading.
The ad features staff singing and dancing to the song Baby Come On by Kiwi rockers Elemno P, with the words McCallum & Partners + mobile phone + broadband + Friday drinks appearing at end before the Telecom logo.
The ad is shot to look like an amateur home video of the type seen on YouTube.
One blog, Spare Room, accused the advertisement of being misleading because it looks as if a real company is plugging Telecom.
Ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi has confirmed the firm was made up and the staff were actors.
Blogger Ana Samways wrote: "No matter what kind of ads-are-not-real spin you put on it, this ad is misleading, especially because Telecom names the fake company and lists the services it provides them with, like it's some sort of endorsement."
Telecom spokesman Nick Brown told the Herald on Sunday the ad wasn't designed to look like an endorsement.
"It aims simply to illustrate the way people are using technology to create content and have fun. Our objective is for the ad to be fun and entertaining. I certainly wouldn't say it's the type of advertisement that should be taken too seriously."
