Showing posts with label Advertisers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advertisers. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Megyn Kelly: Dropped by Advertisers, Benefit Gala Over Alex Jones Interview!

Megyn Kelly’s interview with famous jerk and creator of Infowars Alex Jones hasn’t even aired yet and it’s already mired in controversy.


The contentiousness of the decision to interview such a man hasn’t gone unnoticed. Advertisers have been fleeing to the hills.


And now Megyn Kelly’s been asked to step down from hosting a Sandy Hook benefit … because Alex Jones and his people famously declared that the Sandy Hook mass shooting was a hoax.



Tomorrow, Sandy Hook Promise, a major gun violence-prevention organization, holds its annual Champions Promise Gala, where Megyn was originally supposed to emcee.


She has now been asked to step down from that role.


In case there was any doubt as to why she’s being bumped, Sandy Hook Promise issued this statement: 


“This decision was spurred by NBC’s planned broadcast of Kelly’s interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who believes the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, was a hoax.”


Yeah, we can absolutely see how that would rub grieving parents the wrong way.


“Sandy Hook Promise cannot support the decision by Megyn or NBC to give any form of voice or platform to Alex Jones and have asked Megyn Kelly to step down as our Promise Champion Gala host. It is our hope that Megyn and NBC reconsider and not broadcast this interview.”


That’s pretty understandable.



Networks care about image, but only up to a certain point and only as a means to an end.


What most of them really care about is ratings and advertisers, and the ratings only because they attract more money from advertisers.


While some controversies and drive up viewers, some businesses do not want to risk the association and pull their ads — which is exactly what’s happening here.


J.P. Morgan Chase has pulled its ads from NBC — not just for Megyn’s timeslot — until after the interview is scheduled to air on June 18th.


J.P. Morgan Chase’s chief marketing officer tweeted that she was “repulsed” that Alex Jones would receive airtime.


Alex Jones, for his part, has already declared to his followers that the interview will be “fake news” and that “they’re scared of what we’re covering.”


As always with conspiracy theorists, the use of “they” could mean anything from “the establishment” to Illuminati lizard people, which are often just one and the same.



Everybody learns of the existence of Alex Jones and Infowars in their own way.


Have you ever made the mistake of looking up something without paying attention to where you were looking it up?


I did, a few years back. I looked up some dumb movie — Transcendence — for an analysis of its portrayal of transhumanism.


The first couple of paragraphs just summarized the film, and the next one briefly defined transhumanism — it’s basically just technology making our lives longer and better.


The next paragraph, and in fact the rest of the article, was talking about how this film was made as part of some diabolical campaign to “prepare” the public for transhumanism, though it would only be reserved for “global elites.”


That was when I looked up at where Google results had taken me — it was Infowars. Other articles discussed various vague and elaborate “plots” that involved various innocuous elements of pop culture and politics. I’d quickly had my fill of nonsense.


These days, the far-right fringe conspiracy site is much better known.


From a viral video of Alex Jones decrying that he doesn’t “like ‘em putting chemicals in the water that turn the friggin’ frogs gay!” to the disturbing links between Infowars and Donald Trump, people these days are much more familiar.


Unfortunately, a huge part of that is because of ironically named “Sandy Hook Truthers” who deny that the Sandy Hook mass shooting took place, and instead insist that the children never existed and that the very real grieving parents are paid actors.


That’s a lot more upsetting than a dumb theory about a dumb movie.


So Megyn Kelly choosing to interview Alex Jones has her on blast for giving the guy a platform.


Parents who are still — and will always be — grieving don’t want to see see anyone even seem to give credibility to the guy who’s claims that their children never existed.



It’s one thing to interview Putin, who’s terrible but can’t be ignored.


It’s another thing to give a platform to Alex Jones.


But, at the same time, we have to wonder if she could do more good by exposing Alex Jones for exactly the sort of man he is.


Especially since Alex Jones has been praised by Donald Trump and Infowars has been given White House press credentials, as if they were a real news organization.


One thing’s for sure — this interview’s going to get a lot more viewers due to all of the controversy. People will want to see what all of the fuss is about.


Assuming that NBC doesn’t pull it entirely.


ReadMore…

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Bill O"Reilly Scandal: Advertisers Pull Out of The Factor

If money truly does talk, then the future of Bill O’Reilly on Fox News may be in question.


In the wake of a New York Times report that confirmed O’Reilly has paid a total of $ 13 million to five different women to settle their claims of sexual harassment against him, a quartet of advertisers has yanked its business from The O’Reilly Factor.


The companies who have chosen to stop airing commercials on this Fox News program are:


Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, BMW and GSK.



“We had advertising running on The O’Reilly Factor (we run on most major cable news shows) but it has been reassigned in the midst of this controversy,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told BuzzFeed News.


“The allegations are disturbing and, given the importance of women in every aspect of our business, we don’t feel this is a good environment in which to advertise our products right now.”


All five of the women who were paid off by either O’Reilly or Fox News itself worked for the star anchor or appeared on his program.


According to The New York Times, they accused O’Reilly of verbal abuse… making lewd comments… making unwanted sexual advances against them… and even calling them on the phone while it sounded like he was jerking off.


One of the five settled lawsuits involved ex-producer Andrea Mackris and made headlines back in 2004.


Another lawsuit centered on Fox News employee Juliet Huddy and was first reported in January.


The other three were never reported on.



Dr. Wendy Walsh, a psychologist and former Fox News guest, has now also gone public with sexual harassment allegations against O’Reilly, claiming that at one point he became “hostile” towards her for refusing his advances.


“I’ve been doing sexual harassment cases for 30 years,” says Walsh’s attorney, Lisa Bloom. “What’s going on at Fox News is the worst of any company that I’ve ever been made aware of.”


Along with O’Reilly, she’s citing the resignation last summer of Fox Corp. CEO Roger Ailes, who was accused over the years of sexual misconduct against several employees.


Including such veterans as Gretchen Carlson and Megyn Kelly.


Via its own statement to BuzzFeed, Hyundai said that it “currently has no advertising running on The O’Reilly Factor,” adding:


“We had upcoming advertising spots on the show but are reallocating them due to the recent and disturbing allegations. As a company we seek to partner with companies and programming that share our values of inclusion and diversity.


“We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation as we plan future advertising decisions.”



GSK, a pharmaceutical company, says it has temporarily put a hold on spots running on The O’Reilly Factor while it “assesses this situation.”


It wants to be sure that its advertising is :conducted in a responsible manner aligned with our values.”


“How many women have to come forward?” Bloom asked previously on CNN’s Reliable Sources. “How many millions of dollars have to get paid before Fox News takes sexual harassment seriously?”


She then compared O’Reilly to comedian Bill Cosby, saying both celebrities have gotten away with their behavior for far too long, simply based on their status.


The O’Reilly Factor the most-watched show on cable news. It has brought in more than $ 446 million in advertising revenue from 2014 to 2016, according to The New York Times.



In response to these allegations, the host has released the following statement:


“Just like other prominent and controversial people, I’m vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity.


“In my more than 20 years at Fox News Channel, no one has ever filed a complaint about me with the Human Resources Department, even on the anonymous hotline.”


ReadMore…

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Counting On Advertisers: Still Jumping Ship Over Josh Duggar!

Josh Duggar is persona non grata these days, but the scandal-plagued first-born of Jim Bob and Michelle continues to wreak havoc on his family.



If you watch Counting On online (formerly Jill & Jessa: Counting On), you’ll soon be doing so without some familiar corporate sponsors.


In the two weeks since TLC brought back the latest iteration of the Duggar family hour, at least four major companies have jumped ship.


Apparently having remembered that Josh exists, even though he hasn’t appeared on camera once, corporate execs are freaking out!


Last year, 12 companies yanked their advertising in the wake of Josh Duggar’s scandals, of both the molestation and infidelity variety.


That ultimately led TLC to shelve 19 Kids and Counting in July 2015, only to bring the family back and have them Counting On this winter.


One would think, with Josh jettisoned to rehab and a shift in focus toward Jill, Jessa, Jinger Duggar and others, that the storm had passed.


Any advertisers who didn’t bail initially wouldn’t have any objections to the renewed, Josh-free version of the popular reality show, right?


Wrong.



Gerber Life, Trivago, Thumbtack (dot) com and Hotwire have joined the others who have previously ended their relationship with TLC.


When a Gerber Life ad aired during the premiere of Counting On, a spokesman for the company issued a statement, released this week:


“The Gerber Life ad was inadvertently shown during the premiere of Counting On,” the prompt damage control mode statement said.


“We have been assured that Gerber Life ads will no longer be shown during this program,” the company added, reassuring its customers.


Trivago also released a statement, saying it “[did not have] control over when the advertisement ran, as it was a direct response buy.”


Come again?


“We did not purposely intend to advertise during any specific TLC program,” Trivago Guy said, with his beseeching gaze and new haircut.


Just kidding, the guy from the ads is not who issues PR statements on behalf of the corporations, although how awesome would that be.



Hotwire also pleaded ignorance, saying they’re unable to choose which shows air the company’s ads, and can only choose the network.


“Hotwire ads appear on many cable networks including AMC, Bravo, HGTV, TNT, TBS, USA as well as TLC Network,” the site said.


“While we are able to select which cable networks air our ads, we do not select the specific shows,” the statement explained.


“After further consideration,” i.e. realizing who the Duggar family is, “we have decided to remove this network from our plan.”


Thumbtack (dot) com’s statement reads: “At this time, we are not buying TV ad space for particular programming or programs.”


They, too, purchased ad space not for specific shows like Counting On, but “for networks or groups of networks in aggregate.”



In addition to the fact that he molested his sisters, Duggar was also caught using Ashley Madison, a website for people who want affairs.


Given his background as a conservative family values activist, and his parents’ role in covering up the molestation, it was a tough stretch.


Still, the worst appeared to have passed.


Josh is married to Anna Duggar, who has somehow stayed by his side throughout this ordeal, now stretching for nearly a year and a half.


Even as many hoped she would bolt faster than Trivago after seeing its ads air during Counting On, they are still married and living together.


Josh only has a flip phone now at least.


Will the show survive given this new slew of sponsor departures – and will Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar break up for real at this rate?


Hit the comments below to discuss.


Thursday, April 14, 2016

Duggar Family Faces Cancellation AGAIN As Counting On Loses Viewers, Advertisers

After a scandal-plagued hiatus, the Duggar family returned to television back in December of 2015 with Jill & Jessa: Counting On, a three-part miniseries that proved to be an instant ratings hit for TLC.


Unfortunately, when they ordered a full season of the show, network execs failed to consider the possibility that for many viewers, a little bit of the Duggars goes a long way…



In Touch is reporting today that ratings for the series have declined more than 30 percent in the month since its March 15 premiere.


Even worse, major corporations have been pulling their ads from Counting On, often issuing scathing public statements in order to distance themselves from a family that for many people will always be associated with childhood sexual abuse.


The latest companies to add their name to the long list of anti-Duggar brands are Dole Packaged Foods and Intuit – the software designer best known for its Quicken and Turbo Tax programs.


Both companies issued statements clarifying that their ads were placed as part of a large media buy, and they were not aware that the commercials would air during Counting On.


Dole added: “The company does not run advertising on shows with content that might be offensive to our consumers.”


Several industry insiders have predicted that TLC will air remaining episodes of the series, but will not renew it for a second season.


So if you’re a fan of the Duggars, you may want to watch Jill & Jessa: Counting On online while you still can.


Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Jill & Jessa Duggar: Facing Cancellation Due to Angry Advertisers?

Last week, we reported that a number of prominent corporations want nothing to do with the Duggar family, and they made their feelings known by severing ties with TLC after learning that the network aired their commercials during episodes of Jill & Jessa: Counting On.



According to In Touch, fifteen more advertisers demanded that their ads not be aired during Counting On just in the past few days, with several companies issuing statements assuring the public that they do not endorse the Duggars or TLC’s decision to bring the family back to television:


Cici’s Pizza: “Cici’s prides itself on being a family-friendly restaurant…When we learned one of our ads was placed adjacent to controversial programming, we took immediate action to stop it.”


The UPS Store:  “It was not our intention to advertise on the program. This specific program is [now] on our list of exclusions as well as any other potential Duggar programming.”


Choice Hotels: “We are not a sponsor or an advertiser on any TV shows or specials about the Duggars,” Choice Hotels says. “If any ads run, it is an error of the network as our advertising agency has directed them to remove our advertising from the show.”


Verizon Wireless: “We did not have control over where the advertisement ran. We never intended to advertise on the program or on TLC.”


As you may remember, it was a lack of advertisers that eventually forced TLC to cancel 19 Kids and Counting in July of last year, after several months of quietly hoping that the Josh Duggar sex scandals would blow over.


In other words, if you’re a fan of the show, you may want to watch Jill & Jessa: Counting On online while you still can.


Jill & Jessa Duggar: Facing Cancellation Due to Angry Advertisers?

Last week, we reported that a number of prominent corporations want nothing to do with the Duggar family, and they made their feelings known by severing ties with TLC after learning that the network aired their commercials during episodes of Jill & Jessa: Counting On.



According to In Touch, fifteen more advertisers demanded that their ads not be aired during Counting On just in the past few days, with several companies issuing statements assuring the public that they do not endorse the Duggars or TLC’s decision to bring the family back to television:


Cici’s Pizza: “Cici’s prides itself on being a family-friendly restaurant…When we learned one of our ads was placed adjacent to controversial programming, we took immediate action to stop it.”


The UPS Store:  “It was not our intention to advertise on the program. This specific program is [now] on our list of exclusions as well as any other potential Duggar programming.”


Choice Hotels: “We are not a sponsor or an advertiser on any TV shows or specials about the Duggars,” Choice Hotels says. “If any ads run, it is an error of the network as our advertising agency has directed them to remove our advertising from the show.”


Verizon Wireless: “We did not have control over where the advertisement ran. We never intended to advertise on the program or on TLC.”


As you may remember, it was a lack of advertisers that eventually forced TLC to cancel 19 Kids and Counting in July of last year, after several months of quietly hoping that the Josh Duggar sex scandals would blow over.


In other words, if you’re a fan of the show, you may want to watch Jill & Jessa: Counting On online while you still can.


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Jill & Jessa Duggar: Advertisers Backing Out of New Series?

On Sunday, Jill & Jessa: Counting On will premiere on TLC, and lots of folks are not too happy about it.



The controversial family’s return to television has resulted in Duggar boycott groups springing up all over social media, and now it appears their campaign is beginning to have an impact.


A Facebook group called #NoMoreDuggars: Contacting Sponsors has been…well, contacting current and potential sponsors to encourage them to pull their support from Jill and Jessa’s three-part series.


The group claims that 928 advertisers have already vowed not to put their money behind any of the Duggars’ future TV efforts, including the forthcoming Counting On.


Obviously, most of the anger directed toward the family is the result of the Josh Duggar sex scandals that caused the Duggars to be removed from television in the first place.


Though they initially defended their brother’s actions and their family’s handling of the situation Jill and Jessa have been critical of Josh in recent weeks.


However, many feel the sisters latest comments are simply part of an effort to win over disillusioned former fans.


TLC is only committed to airing three episodes of Counting On, but from the start, the network has hinted that if the show is a hit with fans, we can expect more specials featuring Jill and Jessa, and possibly even a full series.


Of course, if execs can’t find anyone to pay for advertising time, the Duggar sisters may soon find themselves counted out. 


Thursday, September 17, 2015

"The View" -- Big Advertisers Pull the Plug After "Nurse" Comments

Z STAFF


EXCLUSIVE

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The View” may need a nurse to stop the bleeding, because TMZ has learned 2 major advertisers have cut the cord after the women went off on doctor’s helpers.


Johnson & Johnson and Eggland’s Best are cutting ties with the ABC show. EB seems to be making things final, saying, “In light of the comments about the nursing profession recently made … we will no longer be advertising.” J&J says they’ve “paused our advertising accordingly.” 


Co-hosts Michelle Collins and Joy Behar criticized Miss Colorado during the talent portion of the “Miss America” pageant Sunday for wearing her nurse-garb.  


The two tried to smooth things over with an apology on Wednesday but it looks like the big business wigs weren’t buyin’ it.  


We reached out to “The View” for comment … so far no word back.