The Italian justice has imposed a fine of more than one million euros to the companies Fenice and TBS Crew, owned by the very successful influencer Chiara Ferragni, and the Balocco food company for incorrect business practice. This is made official by the country’s Competition and Market Guarantee Authority (AGCOM). The collaboration carried out by these three entities was announced for charitable purposes and, however, nothing could be further from the truth.
The three companies made consumers understand that, by purchasing the pandoro – a traditional Christmas sweet – from Balocco designed by Chiara Ferragni, will contribute to a donation to the Regina Margherita Hospital in Turn to acquire new machinery for the therapeutic treatment of children with osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
For its part, Balocco made a previous donation of 50,000 euros, while the companies linked to the influencer managed to raise more than one million euros thanks to this alleged solidarity initiative. The Italian authority has thus sanctioned Fenice and TBS Crew with 400,000 euros and 675,000 euros, respectively, as well as a fine of 420,000 euros for the pandoro company.
The court considers that the unfair practice could be proven in various behaviors such as making it believe that by purchasing a Pandoro Pink Christmas, consumers would contribute to the donation that, in fact, Balocco had already made. Furthermore, A price two and a half times higher than that of the classic Pandoro was offered to the public., they assure from AGCOM. This practice has considerably limited consumers’ freedom of choice by increasing their sensitivity to charitable initiatives, particularly those aimed at helping children affected by serious illnesses, they add.
The companies Fenice and TBS Crew received more than one million euros in remuneration for the license of the Ferragni brands and for the production of advertising content. without paying anything to the Regina Margherita Hospital of Turnthey conclude.
Chiara Ferragni’s reaction
This fact considerably damages the image and reputation of the renowned influencer who has more than 29 million followers on platforms such as Instagram. That is why the young woman did not take long to react publicly to this sanction. I consider the decision taken against me to be unfair. Challenge before the competent courtshe points out in his profile.
