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Red'uns at the pink'un

Executives at the paper, famous for its pink pages, were left with decidedly red faces after publishing the joke story.

The brewing company Guinness distributed a press release embargoed until April 1 saying Greenwich Mean Time was to be re-named Guinness Mean Time.

The change, along with replacing the pips for Britain's speaking clock with drips (meant to sound like a dripping pint), were part of its sponsorship of the Millennium celebrations.

FT reporters thought the story was so good they broke the embargo, published a day early - and wished they hadn't.

The paper, which coined the advertising slogan "no FT no comment", devoted almost half a page to the story.

But after being told they were victims of a little Irish fun it was the FT which had no comment.

Guinness, delighted at their success, were in forgiving mood.

Spokesman Roy Mantle said: "I suppose they pipped everybody to the post.

"We were very pleased to see that from such an august organ as the Financial Times."

Relevant Stories

The silly season (01 Apr 98 | Special Report)

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