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Advertiser Accountability Campaign Find Out Which Companies are Sponsoring Objectionable Content and Which are Promoting Family-Friendly Programming
Special Reports and Advertiser Updates Report: Top 10 Best and Worst Advertisers
The PTC’s list of the “Top Ten Best and Worst Advertisers” is based on each company’s prime time network television ad buys between October 2006 and May 2007. Each company listed purchased at least 25 ads on prime time broadcast programs. Companies with the most ads on PTC-rated green lighted shows were ranked the best, and those with the most ads on PTC-rated red lighted shows were ranked the worst. ► more
Best
Worst
Hardee's Largest Franchisee Responds to PTC Rocky Mount, NC: Ben Mayo Boddie, Chairman of the Board of Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Inc responded in writing to the PTC regarding their recent biscuit holes campaign. Mr. Boddie writes: “Thank you for your recent letter complaining about the biscuit hole advertising. I agree with you 100%. Why in heaven's name does Hardee’s Food Systems and Mendelsohn Zien Advertising want to put Hardee’s in a category that diminishes not only the product but the brand itself? Boddie-Noell does not plan to place this spot in any markets that we control. We are also asking that these commercials be eliminated in all markets.” The letter copies, Byron Allumbaugh – CKE Restaurants, Andy Puzder – CKE Restaurants and Richard Zien of Mendelsohn Zien Advertising. The PTC congratulates Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Inc. for responsible advertising practices. Kellogg's Secret Life Ad a Mistake Battle Creek, MI: In a letter dated 07/08/2009, consumer affairs manager Bridget Morel declared that Kellogg's never intended for their ads to appear on ABC Family's Secret Life of an American Teenager and have asked their media buyers to specifically "decline advertising opportunities on this program going forward." Verizon Denies Advertising in American Dad Basking Ridge, NJ: In a letter dated 11/27/2007, spokesperson Laurie DePrete for Verizon claims that Verizon never ran an ad in American Dad on November 4. The letter states; “Verizon is conscious of content and has guidelines with regard to the placement of its advertising messages.” The PTC will provide evidence of the Verizon spot which appeared in the second commercial pod. Chrysler Denies Sponsoring Rescue Me Auburn Hills, MI: In a letter dated 12/10/07 to the PTC from Jason Vines, VP of Communications for Chrysler, Mr. Vines denies any Chrysler brands were supporting FX’s Rescue Me program. Mr. Vines writes; “It took us time, but we verified that there has been no national advertising of the Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge brands on the television show you referenced.” The PTC has proof that the Dodge brand did indeed appear in this first run episode of Rescue Me on September 12. The PTC will continue to investigate how is it that advertisers frequently appear in programming they apparently did not buy.
The Victoria’s
Secret Fashion Show made its annual return to broadcast television last
night on CBS
As in years past, the event featured profiles of the top models, musical performances, and a flesh parade featuring Victoria’s Secret’s latest buttock-and cleavage-baring ensembles. Although the special aired at 10:00 p.m. on the east and west coasts, families living in the central and mountain time zones had to scramble to find their remote to keep their children from accidentally stumbling across this televised peep-show during the 9:00 hour. If you agree that this kind of programming is inappropriate for broadcast television, take action by writing to the program’s sponsors:
► Find out who sponsored the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Wal-Mart Mistakenly Supported Nip/Tuck Bentonville, AR: In a hand written note dated 11/29/07, Stephen Quinn, CMO for Wal-Mart confirmed PTC suspicions that the retail giant unintentionally sponsored a recent episode of Nip/Tuck. Mr. Quinn writes: “I apologize for the error – We are reviewing this situation and our procedures”. The PTC applauds Wal-Mart for their responsible action. BMW Pulls Ads From Nip/Tuck Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey: BMW of North America has announced in a letter dated 11/19/2007 to the PTC;”…we did not intend, nor do we plan in the future, to advertise on this program (Nip/Tuck).” Jack Pitney, VP of Marketing writing on behalf of Chairman Purves continued, “My advertising team has taken deliberate action to instruct the network on future placement of BMW bonus spots. As to the current situation, I hope you and members of the Council will accept my profound regrets.” The PTC applauds BMW for their responsible action. Carrier Seeks Aid of PTC The Carrier Corporation (heating/cooling) is asking the PTC to help determine how one of their spots appeared on Nip/Tuck. Chuck Clark contacted the PTC concerned over their ad airing on the FX network when they have strict media guidelines with a no FX policy. Mr. Clark has requested the PTC to identify their spot and provide what details we can regarding its positioning and content message so as to determine its origin; local vs. national. The PTC is currently addressing the Carrier request. Epson To Review Media Buy Jefferey Marks, Director, Marketing & Communications for Epson and speaking on behalf of John Lang, President of Epson America, Inc, replied to the PTC regarding their sponsorship of Nip/Tuck; “As a socially responsible company that prides itself on being a good corporate citizen, we are guided by principles of corporate behavior that are deeply rooted in the management philosophy of our company.” “Your letter has prompted us to go back and review the profile and content of each show that will be carrying our television commercials.” The PTC applauds Epson for this recent action and encourages Epson to act as a responsible corporate citizen. Mercedes Mistakenly Supported Bones Ernst Lieb, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA thanked the PTC in a recent letter regarding Mercedes advertising appearing in Bones. “Upon investigation of the October 9 Bones episode cited in your letter of 10/12/17, we discovered that the commercials aired in the Washington, D.C. market only was an error…” Mr. Lieb continued; “We thank you for bringing the Bones situation to our attention which led to our discovery of an unacceptable situation.” Cadbury Adams Begins Prescreening Content Cadbury Adams will begin prescreening all Family Guy and American Dad episodes. Cadbury Adams consumer relations department speaking on behalf Cadbury Adams President, Brad Irwin stated: “(we) will screen each episode for sensitive content and position our advertising away from unsuitable content.” The PTC will closely monitor Cadbury Adams behavior in the weeks to come. Michelin Rolls Out New Screening Procedures Dave Murtaugh Director of Corporate Image for Michelin tires announced that because of the PTC’s notification to Michelin regarding a raunchy episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit which they advertised in, Michelin will now prescreen the program prior to any media commitment. Mr. Murtaugh states: “We have investigated the placement of the Michelin commercial during the program, and share some of your concerns about the content of this specific episode. After reviewing the situation, we have initiated new processes that will allow the agency that buys media to review plot summaries…” The PTC applauds Michelin’s efforts to pursue responsible advertising practices. Nissan Apologizes For Supporting Two & Half Men Robert Pavlacic, a spokesperson for Nissan North America faxed the PTC with a message of apology for Nissan’s sponsorship of the CBS series Two and a Half Men. “We at Nissan are very concerned about acceptable advertising environments for programs.” The PTC will monitor Nissan’s advertising actions closely to determine the sincerity of their message. Suzuki Dealer Pulls Ads from FX's Rescue Me Local Chicagoland Suzuki dealer, Daniel F. Sledz owner of Fox Valley Suzuki, announced via the PTC Chicago Chapter (Bob Sherman, Director) that his dealership would no longer support Rescue Me on the FX network. “As a father of three very young children, I am thankful organizations like yours are out there making television media a safer haven for our youth.” Mr. Sledz further stated that his dealership spends millions of dollars in advertising and has directed his agency to reallocate his budget away from this type of destructive programming. The PTC sends congratulations to Fox Valley Suzuki, the Chicago Chapter and its Director Bob Sherman. DQ Shares Disgust on Flavor Flav Roast Robert Paine, Vice President of National Media for American Dairy Queen Corporation stated in a recent letter to the PTC; “I share your disgust at the material quoted from this program. It is completely unacceptable to Dairy Queen and does not reflect the values that our company stands for….We rely on our account representatives at all networks to keep us out of questionable content and in this case our system failed.” Nationwide Insurance Ad Mistakenly Aired on the E Network The E Network apologized to Nationwide Insurance for running one of their spots within a recent Girls Next Door episode, according to Corporate Communications manager, William Teets of Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide does have media guidelines and the Girls Next Door series does not meet their criteria for ad placement. It was the PTC Insider (Volume 19, Issue 6) and the PTC membership activism that made Nationwide aware of the E Network error. OnStar Responds Regarding their NCIS Sponsorship In response to our Take Action Alert regarding a recent episode of NCIS, Andrew Young, OnStar Director of Marketing cited in a letter to the PTC that they have received "a number of messages from members of the Parents Television Council" regarding their support of the May 22nd episode of NCIS.
Choice Hotels Checks Out of Sopranos Choice Hotels International has dropped A&E's Sopranos. Melissa Kinsley, Senior Director of Advertising for Choice Hotels stated in a letter to the PTC: "We agree that the content of this show is not representative of the values of our company and we will no longer be an advertiser on this program." The PTC applauds this advertiser for acting responsibly. Verizon Ends Support of Nip/Tuck Liz Avalos of Verizon confirmed that her company stopped supporting Nip/Tuck at the end of November due to graphic content issues. Verizon has no plans to advertise in any future episodes.
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