Lottie Ryan has confirmed her social media promos have been approved by RTÉ.
Amid the ongoing RTÉ controversy, there have been reports of the broadcaster’s stars having posted social media ads that it hadn’t been aware of.
Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Lottie said she had always sought, and granted permission from RTÉ for all of her collaborations or ads.
Lottie has posted several paid ads for brands such as Smyths Toys and Captain Morgan’s.
The mum-of-one also furnished her home with M Kelly interiors using a social media collaboration.
Speaking to the publication, she said: “Smyths and Captain Morgans were commercial arrangements — as you can see from the #ad/#sp in both posts.”
“The other two were collaborations where, by the very word, I collaborated with the two businesses to both their benefit and mine. Again, on both posts #Collab features.”
“At no stage in these four posts have I been anything other than transparent. And for clarity, where there are ANY paid posts (#ad/#sp), permission was always sought, and granted, by RTÉ.”
Brand deals between RTÉ talent and other companies have been subject to intense scrutiny ever since the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal hit headlines last month.
While the deals are separate to RTÉ contracts, it’s understood they have to be approved by a line manager at the state broadcaster.
Earlier this month, Lottie was ordered to remove an ad for a car company on her Instagram feed, after it was filmed on RTÉ’s campus without permission.
According to the Irish Independent, the video showed Lottie promoting a €50,000 Toyota car.
It was filmed at the back of the RTÉ Radio building, and even featured the RTÉ logo on a sign for a car charging point.
It’s understood the video was removed from Lottie’s Instagram feed after RTÉ was contacted for a comment on the clip.
A spokesperson said: “Permission was not given by RTÉ to Lottie Ryan for the filming or for the post in question.”
“RTÉ has comprehensive social media guidelines that all employees – staff and contractors – are contractually obliged to adhere to.”
“This matter has been addressed with her by management. The post has been taken down,” they added.
According to RTÉ’s journalism guidelines, use of the RTÉ campus “for any purposes” is by permission on a case-by-case basis.
