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PR Exec Fired from IAC Lands Job at IAC’s Match Group

The Match Group

Justine Sacco, IAC’s former communications exec who was publicly fired for an inappropriate tweet in 2014 has returned to the IAC family.

Sacco is now running all corporate communications for Match Group, which will include the business’s online dating platforms such as Match, OkCupid and Tinder.

Sacco was fired after she sent an inappropriate tweet before boarding a flight to South Africa. She tweeted: “Going to Africa. Hope I don’t get AIDS. Just kidding. I’m white!” 

Whilst she was in the air, Twitter blew up and Sacco was sent many angry tweets. #HasJustineLandedYet was also trending on the platform.

She was the focus of internet shaming and was mentioned in many blogs. She took some time away from the industry and also spoke with author Jon Ronson about a book to give her side of the story.

“To me it was so insane of a comment for anyone to make,” she told him. “I thought there was no way that anyone could possibly think it was literal.”

Sacco added: “Unfortunately, I am not a character on ‘South Park’ or a comedian, so I had no business commenting on the epidemic in such a politically incorrect manner on a public platform … To put it simply, I wasn’t trying to raise awareness of AIDS or piss off the world or ruin my life. Living in America puts us in a bit of a bubble when it comes to what is going on in the third world. I was making fun of that bubble.”

Joey Levin, CEO of IAC and Chairman of Match Group welcomed her back to the company by stating to Recode: “With one notable exception, Justine’s track record speaks for itself. Very few people in the business world have Justine’s indomitable spirit, tenacity and drive to persevere. That’s the kind of talent we seek. I’m very happy to have her great mind and boundless positive energy back on the team.”

Read more here.

Chloe Gay

Chloe is a reporter at Global Dating Insights. Originally from Bracknell, she is studying Communication & Media at Bournemouth University. She enjoys writing, travelling and socialising with her friends and family.

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