Games advertisers respond to NOTW scandal

Video games retailers are among the many firms that are reconsidering their position on advertising with the News of the World.

The News International-owned tabloid currently faces allegations concerning a private investigator that was reportedly employed by the publication who hacked into the mobile phone of missing person Millie Dowler.

According to Marketing Week, a number of companies have suspended all advertising in response to the situation, including Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Virgin Holidays, Mumsnet, The Co-operative Group and Halifax.

MCV has contacted a number of games retailers to see if they will follow suit, including Tesco, Toys R Us, Play.com and Asda, with responses so far received from GAME and HMV.

"We plan our advertising to ensure it is hitting the right audiences for each specific title or campaign," a GAME spokesperson told MCV. "As a result, there is currently no advertising planned for the News of the World."

HMV’s head of PR Gennaro Castaldo added: "As it happens, HMV has not advertised in News of the World for some time and have no plans to do so."

Meanwhile, Tesco issued to the following statement: "These latest claims will cause huge distress to a family which has suffered enough. However it is now a matter for the police and like everyone, we await the outcome of their investigation."

The Guardian reports that Asda has said it is "monitoring the situation closely and understand people’s concerns".