Bill O'Reilly has Dick Morris on his show who cheated on his wife with hookers and Newt Gingrich who left his wife when she had cancer but thinks gay couples undermine western civilization
scooter in brooklyn
· 1 year ago
i thought the ad was really cute. how pathetic these bigots are.
Busboy
· 1 year ago
Straights don't even buy mayo; what are they thinking?
kevinbgoode
· 1 year ago
I don't want to see Bill's ugly mug on my television either - and I'm in America. So how come that lazy-ass blowhard and sexual deviant is still on the air?
tlsintx
· 1 year ago
fuckin A.
that much hatred must be bad for any human, much less a kid.
Boycotts have a solid history of being an effective (and safe) means of protest. More than anything else, the corps fear us withholding our $ from their products.
Boycott Heniz
LucyD
· 1 year ago
That ad made me smile =) Too bad Heinz' advertising policy is written by O'Reilly....
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 1 year ago
Who the fuck died and made Bill O'Reilly in charge of ANYTHING except his tacky white trash news show? Hey John Kerry and Theresa Heinz Kerry! How about anyone who believes in basic civil rights not buying any more of your crap foods!!! That might just get some attention in PA
barbarajmay
· 1 year ago
I liked the ad. This gives me an excuse to purge all the Heinz crap out of my fridge, just in case bigotry might be foodborne.
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 1 year ago
My partner used to live in SFO and he said every morning on the BART (light rail), gay men and lesbians would peck their partners on the cheek and say "have a great day, honey". Here in Dallas that would probably get someone to whip out a six shooter and take you out. If the damned cost of living were not so awful (housing) we'd go back to SFO in a heartbeat.
scottinsf
· 1 year ago
Passengers on MUNI and BART are pretty mellow to each other here. It's the MUNI and BART workers we hate.
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 1 year ago
LOL....here in Dallas the DART workers are very nice folks and the passengers suck
paulbot5
· 1 year ago
At least they made an attempt to make an ad with gays, you should be thanking them, threatening boycotts would make more companies afraid to make similar ads, imo. A lot of people still don't accept gays, take baby steps.
nicepaul
· 1 year ago
This advert does not feature a gay couple (as has been misreported in this case) - it is a metaphor. The joke is that Heinz Deli Mayo makes sandwiches taste as if Mum’s kitchen has been transformed into a genuine New York deli.
That said, it rather strongly implies that they would consider any kind of genuine homosexuality to be even “worse”!
If offending 200 people causes them concern, I think they’ve just hit a PR disaster by offending the entire gay community, and all straight people who aren’t still living in the dark ages. Wake up Heinz - this is 2008, not 1908!
jeffala
· 1 year ago
I agree. There is not a gay couple in that commercial.
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
sorry people are just teh weird...at my place we prefer critters
I'm from the UK. Whilst I am sure that O'Reilly's comments may have had a disproportionate effect, the UK Advertising Standards Agency, that regulates advertising, received over 200 complaints about the advert, mainly centred around it's "unsuitability to be broadcast when children could be waching" Which I am absolutely amazed and ashamed about.
In the context of the advert for UK viewers it wasn't even a gay kiss - the traditional stereotypical mother in such ads was replaced by a stereotypical New York Deli chef.
Even if it had been, I can't see what was wrong with it.
If they'd been "playing tonsil tennis" it would have been a different matter for an ad shown at times young children could be watching. But only because I think the more passionate parts of human sexuality, whether gay, straight or bi, should be introduced at an appropriate age for each child.
Bostonian_Queer_in_Dallas
· 1 year ago
But of course it is fine to allow a five year old to see someone's head being blown off in a car chase during trailers for the latest "Die Hard 32" during prime time viewing hours.
America, with many of its roots in Puritan England, is a junior high school: titter, titter, giggle, giggle at matters of sexuality.
kevinbgoode
· 1 year ago
How could this commercial be considered inappropriate for children when there are two young children in it?
Freday63
· 1 year ago
I am Feinz without Heinz!
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
hahahahahahahha...me too
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
how come i have won measly point,after my dozens of insightfull comments? Inquiring minds want to know
maggiePA08
· 1 year ago
The point system was scrapped weeks ago, but let me take this opportunity to applaud your always insightful commentary :)
Miket298
· 1 year ago
Well if I am right they say that they received over 200 complaints, this means it was likely less then 300. There must be at least 300 americablog readers, if we call and complain will it take Bill O off the air?
Wesinoregon
· 1 year ago
Good point. I am sick of the "few" telling everyone else how to live. Reminds me of the Rachel Ray scarf ordeal.with Duncan Donuts. MOST, thought the ad was just fine but they pulled it anyway. The companies should fear the majority not the few.
Lyonside
· 1 year ago
Worst thing is, I didn't initially read this as a gay couple with kids, but that the "Mum" is transformed into a stereotypically NY deli guy by using the deli mayo. I like the idea of an ad that works on various levels in multiple markets. It's insane that people have no sense of humor - oh wait, humor that isn't hateful usually involves seeing other points of view. No wonder these people objected.
kevinbgoode
· 1 year ago
Well, I did my part - wrote Heinz and told them I certainly wouldn't support a company which depended upon the obviously tawdry outrage of someone like O'Lielly to dictate advertising content. This country has been held hostage far too long by the likes of that blowhard and the lazy-ass bigots he claims to represent.
Heather
· 1 year ago
To Whom It May Concern;
As a human being with a sense of humor I found your ad to be endearing and funny. I am so disappointed that you would market the ad and then cave to brain-less pressure by a Fox News "Know-It-All".
He does not speak for me. And for what it's worth I am heterosexual AND I am offended that you caved to the compaints of "202" people. How many out there will be more disappointed in you? You created the ad, you marketed the ad and then when you should have released a statement supporting the ad you caved.
Shame on you!
**Signed and sent. Thanks John. This is just stupid and I'm sick and tired of the crazy wing of the world being handed so much power. Since when do 202 complaints get a commercial removed from the air?
From the Heinz website: "The Deli Mayo TV advertisement in the UK was created as a humorous take on a slice of life and featured a genuine New York deli chef taking the place of a mum preparing great tasting sandwiches in the kitchen using UK Deli Mayo."
If they didn't know there is, at least, a double entendre here, they are incompetent or ignorant. Thinking they could get away with it and not having the balls to stand by it is cowardly. Either way, they did the wrong thing for the wrong reason.
Shootingstar
· 1 year ago
Come on, that was a very clever ad. It was pretty obvious that Heinz was implying that buying their product was the same as having a deli chef as "mom". My kids thought the ad was funny, we especially enjoyed the comment "sweet cheeks". I will most definitely write Heinz and explain that even "across the pond" we appreciate their products and would love to see this commercial in America. It will be a pleasure to explain that not all of us Yanks are as intolerant (ok, ignorant) as Mr. O'Reilly.
sputnik
· 1 year ago
Here's the email I sent:
I've just watched your very cute commercial for Heinz Deli Mayo (the one with the two dads), and I'm shocked that you would remove it from the air based on complaints from US right wing pundits. As the father of a gay child, I'm happy to see positive, loving images of family relationships of ALL kinds, and Heinz's shameful knuckling under to US political pressure (not even UK pressure) saddens me. It saddens me not only as a lifelong user of Heinz products, but as (until recently) a person who believed that your Diversity Statement was more than just lip service.
I will refrain from buying Heinz products for myself or my family until Heinz shows ACTUAL commitment to diversity, not merely empty statements.
Thank you, Xxxx Xxxxx Philadelphia
BCPipes
· 1 year ago
What would the children think? Well, remembering how I thought as a child, I would have thought it absurdist humor and nothing more.
kh7463
· 1 year ago
I think its a great ad. It's sad to know that the US is so backward as to not think this is a good ad. Of course we have those issues with nudity too. And to be perfectly honest, I didn' t know there was a Heinz Mayo.
profxfiles
· 1 year ago
Is that DiNiro or just someone doing a good impersonation of him?
LawMichigander
· 1 year ago
I remember when Republicans were boycotting Heinz because of John Kerry's wife lol.
KISSman
· 1 year ago
Man, I HATE it when these assholes with their hate and bigotry win. If I didn't already use Hunts ketchup, I'd be switching tomorrow.
Indigo
· 1 year ago
Did that.
Said this:
Dear Heinz Representative,
Thank you for clarifying that Heinz’ products are only for straight people. The ad show in the U.K. and seen worldwide featuring a same sex couple was both amusing and pleasing. That your company decided to pull the ad rather than show a broad spectrum of social groups that include gays is disappointing. However, it clarifies the policy of your company and your distribution products.
I promise, as a gay man, to respect your policy and never again to use a Heinz product.
Very truly,
warsaw
· 1 year ago
Using your words with a few changes in my email, (permission to plagiarize, please?) I always get too wordy.
Indigo
· 1 year ago
Go for it!
RobertSanDimas
· 1 year ago
Mmmwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh, Indigo!! Beautifully said. Others here said it well too. Good going. I'll add my email to the deluge that Heinz will receive.
tlsintx
· 1 year ago
my email to Heinz said:
it's a good ad, if you keep it, I'll switch to your product from Hellman's, how about we stop allowing the hateful minority to dictate what is tasteful and appropriate.
markthehandyman
· 1 year ago
My email to Heinz:
I'll be promoting a Heinz boycott here in the US. I realize it was your UK counterparts that took down the recent mayo ad, but same corporation.
Here's my message to you: never make decisions based on a few loud right-wing voices. There are LOTS more of us middle-of-the-road types who buy your products. Or did until now. Very bad business decision.
Ethrdg
· 1 year ago
Oh, the power of the almighty dollar...
In addition to the Heinz ketchup other products with the Heinz name (including mayonnaise, 57 sauce, salad dressings, vinegar, relish, pickles, beans, etc.), here are other Heinz products to avoid:
HP Sauce Lea and Perrins Worchestershire Sauce Jack Daniel's Sauces and Marinades Mr. Yoshida's Fine Sauces Ore-Ida (french fries) Delimex Bagel Bites brand frozen snacks Nancy's Frozen Entrees, Snacks, Appetizers and Desserts T.G.I. Friday's Frozen Snacks Wyler's (bouillon and dry soup mix) Smart Ones frozen entrees Boston Market supermarket products
And do e-mail them. It takes only a second--and it obviously makes a difference (they pulled the ad due to people writing, didn't they?). Here's what I wrote:
"Subject: Heinz can do without my gay dollars, I suppose...
To Whom It May Concern:
So--it seems that gay couples are apparently too offensive and controversial for Heinz to feature them in their ads (even an ad like the "New York Deliman" ad--where the actual attempt was humor and not representation of real gay couples). I wonder if the hard-earned money of gay and lesbian couples will now be deemed too offensive and controversial for Heinz to accept? Probably not.
By pulling an innocuous, lighthearted advertisement in order to appease a thin-skinned minority, you have offended and alienated your gay and lesbian customer base. As for my partner and I--who have purchased Heinz products for years--we won't be buying any more of your products. I'm off to search the web right now to make--and share--a list of products for us, our friends and family to avoid."
Thanks for posting their contact info, John!
ndtovent
· 1 year ago
I just emailed em.. Thank you for that list of products. I buy a few of those, but didn't know they were made by heinz. I included the ones I buy in my email, and added a couple of others that will stop buying immediately if they don't get their act together.
Brad310
· 1 year ago
I'm wondering if all Heinz commercials need to be pre-screened by O'Reilly now...
warsaw
· 1 year ago
I love that ad. Maybe Bill O'R is pissed because the Mum character is clearly American and this ad, from his measly point of view, might seem to mock American males and makes them objects of ridicule in Yur-upp. The Heinz Corp. is a chickenshit outfit and I wish to god that George Carlin was here to mock the shit out of them endlessly for their cowardice and roll-over to the absurdly thin-skinned American right.
tlsintx
· 1 year ago
yes, and the Mum guy could kick Billo's ass.
fleck2
· 1 year ago
Hey, thanks for
fleck2
· 1 year ago
Hey, thanks for the list of Heinz products. I'll forward the names to my e-lists--and that's over 500 names for a start. They all snicker at such stupidity while they close their wallets against it.
nico_shalom
· 1 year ago
That's a great ad.
Bluestate Redbear
· 1 year ago
This is what I just wrote to the folks:
Mr. Dickie, Ms. Jackson, and Mr. Mullen:
I've seen the ad that was pulled from UK airwaves as a result of a small number of complaints, due to its content. As a reasonably intelligent human being, it was immediately obvious to me that the intent of the commercial wasn't to show a gay couple, but to show how your product makes homemade sandwiches taste like those from a New York delicatessen. I thought it was extremely clever.
However, as an intelligent human being, and as an openly gay man, I find it insulting that you would cave to the pressures of a small group, rather than standing behind your product and your message. Bigotry in this day and age, while alive and well, should be stood up to, rather than supported by caving into its ugly whims.
Therefore, since it seems the decision-makers in your company will not support itself in the face of open bigotry, I will not support your products, and will be making it known to my friends, family, and others whom I can reach that they should do the same until such time as you show yourselves to be stronger-willed than those who have no sense of humor, nor sense of intelligence.
bkmn
· 1 year ago
Heinz pulled the ad because the UK regulatory agency had a number of complaints. I, for one, intend to support Heinz.
They are now facing a boycott from the AFA/Don Wildmon of the religious right.
They chose to run the ad in the first place, which was brave of them. They pulled the ad because the religious right in the UK put forth a concerted effort to get the ad pulled. The RR got enough people to complain to the regulatory agency to put the ad in danger of being yanked off the air.
So as much hubris as has been raised in this thread, take a minute and look at the issue from a different viewpoint. I don't work for Heinz, have no relatives or friends that have ties to Heinz and I have no stock in Heinz.
The ad was innocuous...the fundie response was not. Nor was the potential pulling of the ad in the UK.
Our response needs to be well thought through...
xefic
· 1 year ago
Here is the text of the email I sent to Ms Jackson:
I read with disappointment your press release indicating that Heinz UK was withdrawing their Deli Mayonnaise television advertisement. When will you realize that the more you give these extreme right wing hate groups, the more they will demand? It's only a matter of time before they insist that you clarify your diversity statement to insist that it doesn't really apply to the LGBT community. One wonders how long it will take O'Reilly and similar ideologues to insist that you stop advertising to Muslims, or Arabs, or non-Christians...
If you only sell products to people who no one hates, who will be left to buy your ketchup?
I respect your right to advertise how and to whom you like. I will exercise my right to no longer purchase your products. I will miss your Reduced Sugar Ketchup and Weight Watchers food products.
Thanks for listening.
Ethrdg
· 1 year ago
From an entry someone posted earlier: "They [Heinz] chose to run the ad in the first place, which was brave of them. They pulled the ad because the religious right in the UK put forth a concerted effort to get the ad pulled. The RR got enough people to complain to the regulatory agency to put the ad in danger of being yanked off the air."
It would have been brave of them to KEEP it on the air, despite the complaints. If the regulatory agency had pulled the ad, it would be them that the GLBT community would take issue with. Because Heinz chose to pull it, they put themselves in the crosshairs. Bravery is about standing up for what you believe in--not caving at the first sign of opposition. If that's Heinz's idea of sticking up for me, then thanks, but no thanks!
The boycott they were facing from the religious right isn't anything compared to what they will likely now face...
jonworks
· 1 year ago
HERE IS THE FULL CONTACT LIST FOR HEINZ:
HEINZ CONSUMER AFFAIRS
For general consumer product questions, information about current promotions or suggestions, please contact Heinz Consumer Affairs at (800) 255-5750. You may also click here to email Consumer Affairs.
If you are a member of the media and need to contact our Communications Department, please contact the appropriate person listed below.
HEINZ WORLD HEADQUARTERS
P.O. Box 57 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230
Ted Smyth Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate & Government Affairs Telephone: 412-456-5780 Fax: 412-456-6025 E-mail: Ted.Smyth@us.hjheinz.com
Michael Mullen (Primary Press Contact) Director of Global Corporate Affairs Telephone: 412-456-5751 Cell: 412-613-5214 Fax: 412-456-7883 E-Mail: Michael.Mullen@us.hjheinz.com
Heinz Europe South Building, Hayes Park Hayes, Middlesex UB4 8AL
Heinz UK & Ireland South Building, Hayes Park Hayes, Middlesex UB4 8AL Nigel Dickie Director of UK Corporate and Government Affairs Telephone: 44 (0) 20 8848 2726 Cell: 44 (0) 773 657 2909 E-mail: Nigel.Dickie@uk.hjheinz.com
Heinz Italy Via Cascina Bel Casule 7 20141 Milano, Italy Antonio Cartolari Director Communications Telephone: +39 02 5256 2357 E-mail: Antonio.Cartolari@plasmon.it
Heinz Wattie's Australasia 105 Camberwell Road East Hawthorn, Victoria 3123 Australia
Heinz Australia 105 Camberwell Road Hawthorn East 3123 Victoria, Australia Ros Kohler HR & Corporate Affairs Manager Telephone: +61 3 9861 5015 Fax: +61 3 9861 5513
DavidinChelseaMA
· 1 year ago
I CONTACTED JESSICA JACKSON AND MICHAEL MULLEN.
THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW ABOUT THIS, JOHN. I TOLD THEM BOTH THAT I'VE TOLD ALL MY FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND ASSOCIATES AT WORK TO STOP USING PRODUCTS FROM HEINZ. WE SHOULD ALL DO THE SAME.
Quasarerazar
· 1 year ago
Speaking as someone who is not gay but does support gay marriage and equal protections for gays: I could do without seeing gay men kissing, and I don't want to buy mayonaise associated with gay men. ewww... Couldn't they do a similar ad without the pda? where it's just a cutesy kind of 'implied' relationship that they're gay? While we're at it could we just keep all types of pda's out of advertising, gay and straight....
warsaw
· 1 year ago
Take your support for gay marriage and equal protections and shove them. Gay men kissing is part of the whole package. Noone here cares about or respects your "EWWW' response to gay pdas. I reject your need to express bigotry on this site. If that's the way you feel, go ahead and vote against gay marriage and for constitutional amendments de-legitimizing gays. Your partial acceptance is meaningless.
Blueflash
· 1 year ago
Ditto. Bigots like Quasar who haven't the guts to just plain say they hate us are the most repugnant sort. EWWW.
tlsintx
· 1 year ago
hey, youtube removed the vid...wonder why? Donald Wildmon and the AFA are hysterically railing against this horrible situation. figures.
dear mr. or mrs. i’m really disappointed, why did you remove the Heinz Deli Mayo TV ad made by BBDO only because a bunch of sick homophobes pressured you to do that? you are endorsing a homophobe agenda and i won’t buy any of your products again until you repair the damage you have done. you have lost one customer, and i’m pretty sure i won’t be the only one. have a nice day xxxxxx
we are a lot more than 200 sick homophobes, and they have lost us as customers!
nhguy
· 1 year ago
Homophobia: (homo-fob-iya, from Greek homós: one and the same; phóbos: fear, phobia) A fake sickness made up by a bunch of abnormal people in order to feel better about themselves.
All Comments
that much hatred must be bad for any human, much less a kid.
UK: Nigel Dickie, +44 20 8848 2726 - Nigel.Dickie@uk.hjheinz.com
US: Jessica Jackson, 412-237-3562 - jessica.jackson@us.hjheinz.com
Michael Mullen, 412-456-5751 - Michael.mullen@us.hjheinz.com
CVA
We are not powerless.
Boycotts have a solid history of being an effective (and safe) means of protest. More than anything else, the corps fear us withholding our $ from their products.
Boycott Heniz
Too bad Heinz' advertising policy is written by O'Reilly....
rail), gay men and lesbians would peck their partners on the cheek and say
"have a great day, honey". Here in Dallas that would probably get someone to
whip out a six shooter and take you out. If the damned cost of living were
not so awful (housing) we'd go back to SFO in a heartbeat.
passengers suck
That said, it rather strongly implies that they would consider any kind of genuine homosexuality to be even “worse”!
If offending 200 people causes them concern, I think they’ve just hit a PR disaster by offending the entire gay community, and all straight people who aren’t still living in the dark ages. Wake up Heinz - this is 2008, not 1908!
http://shaggydogfarms.com/
Whilst I am sure that O'Reilly's comments may have had a disproportionate effect, the UK Advertising Standards Agency, that regulates advertising, received over 200 complaints about the advert, mainly centred around it's "unsuitability to be broadcast when children could be waching"
Which I am absolutely amazed and ashamed about.
In the context of the advert for UK viewers it wasn't even a gay kiss - the traditional stereotypical mother in such ads was replaced by a stereotypical New York Deli chef.
Even if it had been, I can't see what was wrong with it.
If they'd been "playing tonsil tennis" it would have been a different matter for an ad shown at times young children could be watching. But only because I think the more passionate parts of human sexuality, whether gay, straight or bi, should be introduced at an appropriate age for each child.
America, with many of its roots in Puritan England, is a junior high school: titter, titter, giggle, giggle at matters of sexuality.
As a human being with a sense of humor I found your ad to be endearing and funny. I am so disappointed that you would market the ad and then cave to brain-less pressure by a Fox News "Know-It-All".
He does not speak for me. And for what it's worth I am heterosexual AND I am offended that you caved to the compaints of "202" people. How many out there will be more disappointed in you? You created the ad, you marketed the ad and then when you should have released a statement supporting the ad you caved.
Shame on you!
**Signed and sent. Thanks John. This is just stupid and I'm sick and tired of the crazy wing of the world being handed so much power. Since when do 202 complaints get a commercial removed from the air?
http://www.salon.com/news/2004/10/13/o_reilly/
If they didn't know there is, at least, a double entendre here, they are incompetent or ignorant. Thinking they could get away with it and not having the balls to stand by it is cowardly. Either way, they did the wrong thing for the wrong reason.
I've just watched your very cute commercial for Heinz Deli Mayo (the one with the two dads), and I'm shocked that you would remove it from the air based on complaints from US right wing pundits. As the father of a gay child, I'm happy to see positive, loving images of family relationships of ALL kinds, and Heinz's shameful knuckling under to US political pressure (not even UK pressure) saddens me. It saddens me not only as a lifelong user of Heinz products, but as (until recently) a person who believed that your Diversity Statement was more than just lip service.
<Heinz Diversity Statement: http://www.heinz.com/Diversity.aspx>
I will refrain from buying Heinz products for myself or my family until Heinz shows ACTUAL commitment to diversity, not merely empty statements.
Thank you,
Xxxx Xxxxx
Philadelphia
Said this:
Dear Heinz Representative,
Thank you for clarifying that Heinz’ products are only for straight people. The ad show in the U.K. and seen worldwide featuring a same sex couple was both amusing and pleasing. That your company decided to pull the ad rather than show a broad spectrum of social groups that include gays is disappointing. However, it clarifies the policy of your company and your distribution products.
I promise, as a gay man, to respect your policy and never again to use a Heinz product.
Very truly,
it's a good ad, if you keep it, I'll switch to your product from Hellman's, how about we stop allowing the hateful minority to dictate what is tasteful and appropriate.
I'll be promoting a Heinz boycott here in the US. I realize it was your UK counterparts that took down the recent mayo ad, but same corporation.
Here's my message to you: never make decisions based on a few loud right-wing voices. There are LOTS more of us middle-of-the-road types who buy your products. Or did until now. Very bad business decision.
In addition to the Heinz ketchup other products with the Heinz name (including mayonnaise, 57 sauce, salad dressings, vinegar, relish, pickles, beans, etc.), here are other Heinz products to avoid:
HP Sauce
Lea and Perrins Worchestershire Sauce
Jack Daniel's Sauces and Marinades
Mr. Yoshida's Fine Sauces
Ore-Ida (french fries)
Delimex
Bagel Bites brand frozen snacks
Nancy's Frozen Entrees, Snacks, Appetizers and Desserts
T.G.I. Friday's Frozen Snacks
Wyler's (bouillon and dry soup mix)
Smart Ones frozen entrees
Boston Market supermarket products
And do e-mail them. It takes only a second--and it obviously makes a difference (they pulled the ad due to people writing, didn't they?). Here's what I wrote:
"Subject: Heinz can do without my gay dollars, I suppose...
To Whom It May Concern:
So--it seems that gay couples are apparently too offensive and controversial for Heinz to feature them in their ads (even an ad like the "New York Deliman" ad--where the actual attempt was humor and not representation of real gay couples). I wonder if the hard-earned money of gay and lesbian couples will now be deemed too offensive and controversial for Heinz to accept? Probably not.
By pulling an innocuous, lighthearted advertisement in order to appease a thin-skinned minority, you have offended and alienated your gay and lesbian customer base. As for my partner and I--who have purchased Heinz products for years--we won't be buying any more of your products. I'm off to search the web right now to make--and share--a list of products for us, our friends and family to avoid."
Thanks for posting their contact info, John!
Mr. Dickie, Ms. Jackson, and Mr. Mullen:
I've seen the ad that was pulled from UK airwaves as a result of a small number of complaints, due to its content. As a reasonably intelligent human being, it was immediately obvious to me that the intent of the commercial wasn't to show a gay couple, but to show how your product makes homemade sandwiches taste like those from a New York delicatessen. I thought it was extremely clever.
However, as an intelligent human being, and as an openly gay man, I find it insulting that you would cave to the pressures of a small group, rather than standing behind your product and your message. Bigotry in this day and age, while alive and well, should be stood up to, rather than supported by caving into its ugly whims.
Therefore, since it seems the decision-makers in your company will not support itself in the face of open bigotry, I will not support your products, and will be making it known to my friends, family, and others whom I can reach that they should do the same until such time as you show yourselves to be stronger-willed than those who have no sense of humor, nor sense of intelligence.
They are now facing a boycott from the AFA/Don Wildmon of the religious right.
They chose to run the ad in the first place, which was brave of them. They pulled the ad because the religious right in the UK put forth a concerted effort to get the ad pulled. The RR got enough people to complain to the regulatory agency to put the ad in danger of being yanked off the air.
So as much hubris as has been raised in this thread, take a minute and look at the issue from a different viewpoint. I don't work for Heinz, have no relatives or friends that have ties to Heinz and I have no stock in Heinz.
The ad was innocuous...the fundie response was not. Nor was the potential pulling of the ad in the UK.
Our response needs to be well thought through...
To: jessica.jackson@us.hjheinz.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:20 PM
Subject: Mayonnaise
I read with disappointment your press release indicating that Heinz UK was withdrawing their Deli Mayonnaise television advertisement. When will you realize that the more you give these extreme right wing hate groups, the more they will demand? It's only a matter of time before they insist that you clarify your diversity statement to insist that it doesn't really apply to the LGBT community. One wonders how long it will take O'Reilly and similar ideologues to insist that you stop advertising to Muslims, or Arabs, or non-Christians...
If you only sell products to people who no one hates, who will be left to buy your ketchup?
I respect your right to advertise how and to whom you like. I will exercise my right to no longer purchase your products. I will miss your Reduced Sugar Ketchup and Weight Watchers food products.
Thanks for listening.
"They [Heinz] chose to run the ad in the first place, which was brave of them. They pulled the ad because the religious right in the UK put forth a concerted effort to get the ad pulled. The RR got enough people to complain to the regulatory agency to put the ad in danger of being yanked off the air."
It would have been brave of them to KEEP it on the air, despite the complaints. If the regulatory agency had pulled the ad, it would be them that the GLBT community would take issue with. Because Heinz chose to pull it, they put themselves in the crosshairs. Bravery is about standing up for what you believe in--not caving at the first sign of opposition. If that's Heinz's idea of sticking up for me, then thanks, but no thanks!
The boycott they were facing from the religious right isn't anything compared to what they will likely now face...
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THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW ABOUT THIS, JOHN. I TOLD THEM BOTH THAT I'VE TOLD ALL MY FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND ASSOCIATES AT WORK TO STOP USING PRODUCTS FROM HEINZ. WE SHOULD ALL DO THE SAME.
Couldn't they do a similar ad without the pda? where it's just a cutesy kind of 'implied' relationship that they're gay?
While we're at it could we just keep all types of pda's out of advertising, gay and straight....
Donald Wildmon and the AFA are hysterically railing against this horrible situation. figures.
i've sent this:
subject: Censoring of Heinz Deli Mayo TV ad
dear mr. or mrs. i’m really disappointed, why did you remove the Heinz Deli Mayo TV ad made by BBDO only because a bunch of sick homophobes pressured you to do that? you are endorsing a homophobe agenda and i won’t buy any of your products again until you repair the damage you have done. you have lost one customer, and i’m pretty sure i won’t be the only one. have a nice day xxxxxx
and sign the petition too: http://www.petitiononline.com/heinz/petition.html
we are a lot more than 200 sick homophobes, and they have lost us as customers!
A fake sickness made up by a bunch of abnormal people in order to feel better about themselves.