The giant pseudo-advertising banner put up by a disgruntled Cell C customer, along Johannesburg's busy Beyers Naude Drive on Friday, has been defaced and now displays a positive message in support of the company.
The original message displayed by the banner, erected by a businessman outside the WorldWear shopping centre Fairland, read "Cell C - the most useless service provider in SA", followed by the name and cellphone number of the company's Sandton City franchise manager.
According to photographs posted on Twitter this morning, in response to Talk Radio 702 host John Robbie's request for "anyone along Beyers Naude" to share the latest on the banner, a black-out and what appears to be spray paint job has changed the wording to read "Cell C - the most useful service provider in SA".
Covering the franchise manager's details now, is apparently the phrase "we love Cell C" in large white lettering.
Cell C said on Monday it had launched an urgent High Court application to have the scathing banner removed. The company added it took the step after letters of demand it issued to both the customer responsible for the banner and management of WorldWear, were ignored.
"We are attempting to resolve the dispute," said Cell C. No further statement has been forthcoming as yet.
According to The Star newspaper yesterday, the court case between Cell C and the businessman responsible for the banner - reportedly named George Prokas - was set to be heard today.
The newspaper cites Cell C spokesperson Karin Fourie as saying the company's objection is based on the fact that it contains personal contact details of "one of our valued employees" and that it is defamatory and makes unauthorised use of Cell C's trademark.
It also appears to have been put up in contravention of municipal by-laws, she told the newspaper.
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