Tag: Marketing

If You’re Gay, BMW Wants Your Money. But Forget About Those Employee Benefits

Trish

It takes more than targeting ads to gays to make a company gay-friendly. Ad Age is reporting that gaywheels.com is calling BMW out for soliciting gay sales but failing to provide benefits for partners of gay employees.

In an article called, “What is the German Word for Hypocrisy?” Joe LaMuraglia says both BMW and publications like “Out” and “The Advocate” that accepted the ad money, are at fault.

Our goal is not to incite a boycott of BMW’s cars, but rather to arm you, our readers, with awareness of the company’s actions as well as of those of the media outlets that published the ad. Speaking of which, one would hope that the publishers of GLBT-owned magazines and web sites would have higher standards than to accept advertising from a major, multinational corporation whose policies discriminate against the very audience that those publications were created to serve.

According to Ad Age, BMW claimed that since it is headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, it is just following Garden State laws.

The site goes on to list companies which are — and which are not — gay-friendly.

Gay-friendly:
DaimlerChrysler’s Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz and Maybach
Ford MotorCo.’s Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Aston Martin and majority-controlled Mazda
Toyota Motor Sales USA’s Toyota, Lexus and Scion
General Motors Corp.’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn
Volkswagen of America’s Audi, VW and Bentley
Subaru of America
Isuzu Motors America
Mitsubishi Motors North America

Non-gay-friendly:
American Honda Motor Co.’s Acura and Honda
BMW’s Mini and BMW
Hyundai Motor America and affiliate Kia Motor America
Nissan North America’s Nissan and Infiniti
American Suzuki Motor Corp.

Bush Spent $1.62 Billion to Make Us Love Him and He Still Only Has a 42 Percent Approval Rating

Trish

Wondering how much all those paid White House product placements cost us taxpayers? Would you believe $1.62 billion?

“The extent of the Bush administration’s propaganda effort is unprecedented and disturbing,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif

Yes, fake news stories and secretly paid endorsements aren’t cheap, as we’re beginning to find out, thanks to the Government Accounting Office and our hero, David Walker, 54, U.S. comptroller general and one of the few people willing to challenge the Emperor Bush.

“The extent of the Bush administration’s propaganda effort is unprecedented and disturbing,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif. “The fact is that after all the spin, the American people are stuck with high prescription-drug prices, high gas prices and high college costs. This report raises serious questions about this administration’s priorities for the country and I would hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle would agree that changes need to be made to rein in the president’s propaganda machine.”

… The White House did not immediately return a call for comment.

Do they ever? Give them another 22 hours, and maybe they’ll come up with something.

The biggest government spenders were: the Department of Defense ($1.1 billion); Health and Human Services ($300 million); Department of the Treasury ($152 million); and the Department of Homeland Security ($24 million).

The spending was for everything from military recruitment advertising to prizes for various promotions. Democrats pointed to the $10,212 the Air Force spent for items bearing the Coca-Cola logo including portable radios, victory t-shirts, hats and coolers, as well as more that $35,000 for promotional materials for a golf program.

Meanwhile, Bush’s proposed budget includes selling park lands to pay for schools and cutting commodity food programs for seniors and placing them on food stamps instead.

Helicopter Ads Offend Moslems, All the Rest of Humanity, and God

Trish


The ad Boeing Co., Bell Helicopter Textron, and the National Journal were forced to apologize for recently isn’t the only one produced by the unholy three. One in particular, so far flying under the radar so to speak, could be worse. AdWeek:

[I]t’s enough to make you anxiously cast your eyes skyward in order to avoid the lightening strike God must surely be sending our way

The image in the Osprey ad is one of several provocative visuals TM has created for print ads that appear in defense industry trade publications. An ad for Bell’s AH-1Z attack helicopter shows the craft rising out of a flaming background heavily armed with missiles. The headline reads: “We made it beautiful. Because it’s the last thing some people will ever see.”

Man. That’s enough to make you anxiously cast your eyes skyward in order to avoid the lightening strike God must surely be sending our way.

The other ad, which was specifically disavowed, was bad enough:

The ad, created by Interpublic Group’s TM Advertising in Irving, Texas, depicted a CV-22 Osprey aircraft delivering troops to the roof of a mosque. The headline read: “It descends from the heavens. Ironically it unleashes hell.”

…The ad for the CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft depicted soldiers rappelling onto the roof of a building, labeled “Muhammad Mosque” in Arabic. The building has a dome, crescent moon and minaret, all common features of a mosque.

The galling thing is how much the parties involved don’t get it, even as the measured apologies and blame issue forth for a “clerical error” that allowed the ad to run after the proofs were supposedly destroyed.

“We recognize that some organizations and individuals may have been offended by its content and regret any concerns this advertisement may have raised,” the Bell statement read.

Concerns? These folks don’t seem concerned in the least. Wonder why they aren’t throwing roses at us in Iraq anymore.

Mindless Idiots Protest Starbucks’ Treatment of Customers as Grown-ups

Trish

Strike a victory against the inane, “But it’s not fair” whining of a public trained to expect two sides (and only two sides) to every issue. Starbucks, which is printing quotes on its cups to get people thinking, isn’t going for it.

Seattle Times:

A national Christian women’s organization is accusing the Seattle-based coffee maker of promoting a homosexual agenda because of a quote by author Armistead Maupin…

Maupin’s quote — one of several dozen in “The Way I See It” promotion — says his only regret about being gay is that he repressed it for so long…

Concerned Women for America, which promotes itself as the antithesis of the National Organization for Women and boasts 8,700 supporters in Washington, says most of those quoted on the coffee cups are liberal.

The group believes corporations have a responsibility to reflect the diversity of their customers by taking a balanced approach — or staying out of divisive social issues altogether.

It’s not all the morons’ fault of course. The MSM decided a long time ago to stop presenting complex issues in all their complicated nuance and instead boil everything down to an argument between two equally simple and one-sided opponents. Now everyone expects that for any Anti-Defamation League member quoted, there will be some idiot who claims the Holocaust never happened given equal time and respect.

“Corporations have deeper pockets and therefore more influence than individuals do,” said Maureen Richardson, state director of Concerned Women for America of Washington.

“I think it’s wiser for them to stay out of these issues so that they don’t offend conservatives and people of faith.”

Richardson…cites possible support by Starbucks for pro-life clinics and the Boy Scouts of America as ways the company might offset its support of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and gay pride.

Yes, by all means, let’s “offset” support for our stance that the world is round by giving equal time to those who feel pretty darn sure it’s flat.

“The Way I See It” campaign does not set out to take a political stand but rather to encourage discourse, Starbucks spokeswoman Audrey Lincoff said…

Lincoff said the company does not characterize the personalities quoted on its coffee cups as liberal or conservative, but rather as a diverse group of artists, musicians, educators, activists and athletes…

The coffee company won’t be pulling the Maupin quote — or any other — from the campaign, but in fact will expand it to feature quotes from regular customers.

Florida Seeks to Distance Itself from United States of America

Buck Banks

According to an article in today’s Miami Herald, the state of Florida sees its marketing slogan as a handicap in today’s hostile geopolitical atmosphere. Visit Florida, the state agency tasked with attracting big-butted Midwesterners and obnoxious French Cabadians to the Sunshine State, is considering dropping the “USA” from its current slogan, “FLA USA” (pronounced flawza). The reason? Guilt by geographical association.

The tourism industry is concerned that the “USA” part associates the peninsular playground with a name brand whose value in the world ain’t what it used to be, since, as recent polls have shown, most of the world hates the United States (or, more accurately, George Bush and his band of merry henchmen and the mayhem they have wrought).

William Talbert III, president of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, noted that President Bush had appointed long-time aide Karen Hughes to boost the country’s image in the Arab world.

”Even the president is aware our image isn’t the best in some corners of the world,” Talbert said. “The Florida brand is extraordinarily strong.”

While most involved in the complex process of selecting a new state slogan are leaning toward “Visit Florida,” Gov, Jeb Bush told WLRN Radio in Miami he thinks the phrase might be too simple.

Never ones to miss an opportunity to put in our 6 cents’ worth of creativity. and knowing what a bunch of boobs are working on this in Tallahassee, the editorial staff of Pensito Review offers these alternatives:

Visit Florida — It’s Not Really the United States, Really
Visit Florida — Uncle Jebby Says ‘Ya’ll Come On Down!’
Visit Florida — Some of Our Beaches Aren’t Contaminated with Fecal Coliform and Enteric Bacteria
Visit Florida — Yo Habla Espanol!
Visit Florida — Republica de los Plátanos
Visit Florida — Alta Cuba!
Visit Florida — It’s Not Necessarily the USA
Visit Florida — Baja America!
Visit Florida — Baja Canada!
Visit Florida — Bring Money!
Visit Florida — Because 15 Million Ohioans, Canadians and New Jerseyites Can’t All Be Wrong
Visit Florida — Where the West Nile Seems Closer
Visit Florida — It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Stupidity
Visit Florida — It’s Not Just for Hurricanes Anymore
Visit Florida in 2006 – Jeb’s Term Will Be Over
Visit Florida — Sun, Fun and a Ton of Republicans Trying to Stop It

Chuppies Also Crave Aromatherapy Shampoo

Trish

A survey of young Chinese consumers – dubbed “Chuppies” – commissioned by shipping giant UPS revealed more interest in American goods than we on this side of the pond imagine. Toiletries and consumer electronics were most desired, while cigarettes and American liquor were least.

American Toiletries: 53 percent of all respondents would like to see a broader selection of U.S. products, such as shampoo, shower gel and dental care products.

American Consumer Electronics: 53 percent of those polled want a broader selection of American electronics. The most likely purchases this year are digital cameras, laptop computers and video/digital recording devices.

Apparel/Fashion Accessories: 52 percent said they want more American fashion, especially athletic shoes, sandals, t-shirts with American logos, sportswear and blue jeans.

American Books, Music and Videos: 50 percent would like to see a broader product selection of American entertainment. This year’s most likely purchases are American videos/DVDs and music compact discs.

Home Appliances: 45 percent would like to see more U.S. durable products including refrigerators, washers/dryers and microwaves.

UPS is big in China, recognizing the vast opportunity for serious bucks there.

“According to the State Department, U.S. exports to China have grown 80 percent since 2001, but this survey shows the Chinese would like even more quality American items,” said Kurt Kuehn, UPS senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing. “The spending power of this middle class is exploding. Many American companies view China as a threat rather than an opportunity; they run the risk of missing the China potential and being left behind.”

New Zealand Ruling Today On Appropriateness of Billboard that Labels Bush an ‘Evil Bastard’

Buck Banks

NZCity reports that Outdoor Advertising New Zealand is reviewing billboard advertisements for Hell Pizza and deciding whether the Advertising Standards Authority should take action.

The Hell Pizza billboards have been erected around Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand. Half of the poster is a photo of George Bush and the other half has the phrase “Hell: Too Good For Some Evil Bastards.”

Matthew Blomfield, Hell’s media manager, said the billboard is meant to be edgy instead of boring advertising.

Don’t know about the appropriateness of it, but I sure agree with the sentiment.

Billboard Company Stifles Gay PR Campaign

Trish

A billboard company is refusing to run ads they claim do not meet “community standards” in 38 Georgia counties because of their wording. What are these obscene and objectionable words?

They announce that gay people exist.

Savannah Morning News:

James Locke, general manager for Lamar Outdoor Advertising’s operations in South Georgia, said he declined to sell ad space to the Atlanta-based Georgia Equality because of the wording on the signs.

“We just didn’t feel the copy was right for those markets,” Locke told Morris News Service in a telephone interview.

The billboards proposed by Georgia Equality feature images of professionals, such as a male firefighter and a female doctor, and include tag lines that read, “I protect you. And … I am gay. We Are Your Neighbors.”

Another company overlooked the obscenity contained in the ads, and is running the billboards in eight counties comprising metro Atlanta. No reports of offended community members have yet surfaced.

The company’s web site claims it has special expertise at reading area markets. It also says it provides all the choices an advertiser needs.

As long as it isn’t ill-mannered enough to be out of the closet?

Lamar’s business strategy is to be the premier provider of outdoor advertising in each of the markets it serves…We can also help with…software that allows us to analyze the target audience and its demographics…Lamar delivers both the choices and the support that allow advertisers to deliver their messages with maximum impact.

After first claiming the boards were sold, or unavailable, the Lamar guy finally admitted he just isn’t comfortable with the ads.

Locke, the Lamar manager, said he would be open to selling ads to Georgia Equality as long as the wording of the ads was altered.

When asked twice to point out which words in the Georgia Equality billboard were objectionable, Locke would not identify any specific words.

“We’re not turning down business from Georgia Equality, we’re just turning down these actual ads,” he said.

Lamar is a publicly-traded company and sells boards in 40 states and Canada. PR readers know what to do. If you’re in a position to determine your company’s billboard placement, don’t buy from Lamar. Even if you aren’t, email the company’s headquarters with your opinion at tdoran@lamarhq.com.

Huggies and Wings Crook Gets Odd Sentence

Trish

The woman convicted of putting the Huggies and Wings on the Clinton administration’s tab was sentenced today, and it’s a bizarre sentence at that.

Ogilvy & Mather advertisng agency executive Shona Seifert was found guilty of overbilling the Clinton Administration’s White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) by shifting billing time from other accounts to the government. Handwritten notes to her assistant that said, “Put Huggies and Wings time on ONDCP” sealed the deal.

Ad Age Online:

A federal judge today sentenced Shona Seifert to 18 months in prison and ordered her to pay a $125,000 fine for her role in the Ogilvy & Mather scheme to overbill the goverment on its national anti-drug ad account. The judge also ordered her to develop a written code of conduct for the advertising industry.

Is it me, or is this kind of like asking Ken Lay to draft up a code of conduct for shareholder reporting?

The code of conduct is due to Judge Berman by Oct. 15, but it’s unclear what will he will do it.

Put it in the trash would be my advice.