OK, kiddo! Here are all the fantastically amazing posts tagged with Corporations
Mr. Sub Fires Marketing Firm Over Negative Gay Ad
Mr. Sub, a moderately popular sandwich chain in Canada, has gotten themselves into a tangy, sliced pickle over one of their new television spots. The ad was one of three to be aired over the next year, and I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like to be sitting around the boardroom table during the pitch…
OK, I’ve got this great idea for your new ad. Picture this. An entire family is sitting around the dinner table about to eat, when the father taps his glass with a spoon. “I have an announcement,” he declares softly, with a smile. “I’m gay!” We cut to a shot of the family staring agape in shock, before his daughter asks disapprovingly, “You mean gay gay?” The father responds “Like, super, super gay!” Then we end with our new tagline: “Not everyone likes surprises, so count on Mr. Sub!“
Gosh, what a laugh riot! What will they think of next? ”Mom, dad: I’m marrying outside my race!”
“Not everyone likes surprises!”
Ah ha ha, brilliant!
Mr. Sub has since fired their advertising agency, BOS Advertising, over the spot (which is, of course, available on YouTube), despite having approved the ad themselves. A representative for BOS expressed their disappointment, but offered no acknowledgement that the ad could be seen as tasteless, instead lamenting “it is most unfortunate that others have interpreted this commercial [that way].”
Strangely, they even tried to paint the ad as a social catalyst for gay rights:
We stand behind our work. We hope that the debate and controversy that looms over this ad will bring about positive change and a greater tolerance and understanding of a person’s sexual preference.
Boy, that’s an even worse sales pitch than the actual ad. Particularly since they just declared that being gay is a “preference.” BOS is so clueless, that if a gay organisation ever hired them, they’d probably prepare another sandwich ad. (“Try our new, mouthwatering GLBT, made fresh to order!”)
All that said, the ad doesn’t particularly offend me as a gay person. Still, I’m happy BOS was sacked. Any decision that spares me from suffering through more terrible advertisements is a good decision in my books.
And with that, have a tasty long weekend, kids!
- Mr. Sub fires BOS after complaints of homophobia [Marketing Magazine]
Megachurch Bans Pepsi Over Homosexuality
A megachurch in Brandon, Florida has removed all of their Pepsi vending machines (ten in total) and replaced them with Coca-Cola machines because they say Pepsi has been “advocating for the normalization of homosexual behaviour in our culture.”
A spokesperson for the church, Terry Kemple, explained that companies like Pepsi are just going hog-wild with all sorts of crazy shenanigans:
These companies were doing anti-family things like distributing pornography and advocating special rights based on a person’s choice of sexual partners. We fight this battle one skirmish at a time. Our forefathers came here for religious liberty, not sexual liberty.
Jenny Schlavone, the Director of Communications for Pepsi, said that the church was actually just referring to small grants made “in direct support of safety and respect in the workplace,” basically anti-discrimination programs to ensure that gay people aren’t fired and mistreated just for being gay. (Although I imagine she went right back to distributing corporate-branded pornography to preschoolers after the interview. Those crazy companies!)
Coca-Cola, incidentally, also supports equality for gay employees. But then again, churches can’t stop selling both major manufacturers of soda beverages! I mean, what would Jesus think?
- Brandon Baptist church pulls plug on Pepsi [Brandon News & Tribune]
- Brandon church claims Pepsi promotes gay lifestyle [ABC News]
Tim Hortons Gives, Pulls Anti-Gay Support
Here’s an odd bit of donut drama. Tim Hortons, Canada’s largest fast food chain, (yes—even bigger than McDonald’s) was spotted officially sponsoring an anti-gay political rally to be held in Rhode Island, U.S.A. next week.
National Organization for Marriage, the anti-gay organisation responsible for last spring’s silly ad campaign equating gay marriage to a violent storm, had approached Tim Hortons to sponsor a push for heterosexual-only marriage. Tim Hortons, oddly, obliged—apparently violating their own policy:
Tim Hortons does not sponsor individuals, those representing religious groups, political affiliates, book endoresements or traveling sports teams.
Thankfully, a few hours after word reached the online world, Tim Hortons quickly pulled their support entirely, releasing a statement and minimal apology, offering regret for any misunderstandings.
Quick and sweet. Just like a timbit.
Thanks to Truth Wins Out, via James at Gay Persons of Color, and everyone else who sent this in!
