The TODAY Show co-host David Campbell has taken a young entrepreneur to task over a new app that claimed to offer the ability to contact him and his father Jimmy Barnes.

Campbell said he was shocked to discover he appeared on the Sociabl app, alongside his father Jimmy Barnes, who also had no prior knowledge of the service.

The app, which launches today, offers customers a chance to pay $500 to talk with their favourite celebrities, with the majority of the proceeds then going to a charity of the celebrity’s choice.

During an interview broadcast on TODAY, Campbell asked founder Brandon Reynolds, 21, to explain why his name was used in the app.

“My name came up on the app, and I was like – I’ve never heard of this app,” Campbell said.

“I called my Dad up and guess what – he hadn’t either.

“You’ve used a couple there as advertising, very public advertising, who didn’t really know anything about it”.

Mr Reynolds said he had spoken to managers affiliated with Campbell and Barnes, and insisted he had obtained permission to advertise both – as well as claiming US musician will.i.am had also signed on.

“So will.i.am is launching with us April, with the Transform Foundation. If you speak to Polo Molina, his US manager. He’s really excited to be a part of it,” Mr Reynolds said.

However, an email from Mr Molina to The TODAY Show said he wasn’t aware of it – and didn’t think it was something the singer was involved in.