Ford Pulls Gay Ads But Reasons Unclear

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/12/120505ford.htm

Ford Motor Company has pulled most of its advertising from LGBT media companies after a threatened boycott by the American Family Association but whether the two are related is unclear.

The AFA, which fights gay issues across the country, is nevertheless claiming victory.

The conservative Christian group launched a nationwide boycott of Ford in May over the automaker's support for LGBT issues. (story) Weeks later it put the boycott on hold after dealers asked for time to see if the AFA complaints "could be addressed by them in cooperation with officials from Ford Motor Company." (story)

Late last week Ford, through its ad agency, began notifying gay media outlets that it was canceling all ads for Jaguar and Land Rover but would continue, at least for now, to run ads for Volvo. The giant automaker owns all three brands.

[sui generis]

1. Isn't that funny

So, we have the highest disposable income per capita and are more likely to be seen driving a Jag or Land Rover, yet the poor queer-haters from the AFA have more clout with Ford.

Well that's too bad. You see, those ads don't run on mainstream TV, they run in gay newspapers and magazines and on gay television and billboards in gay neighborhoods.

When I say FUCK the American Family Association, I mean with a ten foot two by four, but I can be more explicit if anyone likes.

[ret5hd]

3. Please do...I would like!

more explicitness, i mean.

(for total clarity, i agree with you)

[swimmernsecretsea]

10. Oh, go right ahead!

I'm with you on this. In fact, I'm certain you're among friends here. Let it all out! We'll have a good laugh.

[MADem]

2. So now the fundies will race out and buy FORDS? Not!

FORD-Found On Road, Dead

FORD-Fix Or Repair, Daily

This probably has as much to do with their cash flow issues as anything else. The Focus on the Fuckups people can claim victory, but if FORD can't keep 30K workers on the payroll, it is unlikely that they can afford to continue doing niche marketing, either.

[IntravenousDemilo]

12. Don't forget

Fucked On Rough Dirt

[kweerwolf]

4. Here's a bit more info

From Gay Financial Network:

Specific terms of any formal agreement between the AFA and Ford remain unclear, according to the publication, but said the decision came after a “constructive dialogue” with the so-called Christian group.

A list of demands on AFA’s Web site, shows the group insisted that Ford and all of its brands stop donating cash, vehicles, and endorsements to gay organizations. This includes donations to pride celebrations and groups such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. It is unknown which, if any, of these demands have been met.

http://www.gfn.com/channelArticle.cfm?channelDesRecordID=115

[Ayesha]

5. Go to AmericaBlog!

John is leading a campaign to make Ford change their minds, and it seems to be having an effect already.

http://www.americablog.org/

[terrya]

7. Every single gay and lesbian political organization is behind it.

John mentioned that every single GLBT lobbying group...from the HRC to Lambda to GLSEN to GLAAD...is solidly behind this. He called it nothing short of remarkable. And it is. I can't remember the last time we were so united.

[kevinbgoode]

6. This is a public relations disaster for Ford

They had no business entering into a "dialogue" with any organization which had no purpose but to attack another segment of their market.

[kevinbgoode]

8. I think this should be also posted on General

People should be told about this situation - it's growing by the hour !

[StefanX]

9. This is going to be a public-relations DISASTER for Ford

They need to learn a few things:

(1) Bigotry is bad for business. (Just look at what happened to Microsoft when they started taking orders from Ralph Reed.)

(2) The American Taliban will NEVER be satisfied, so it's pointless to cave in to their demands.

Some PR contact numbers at Ford:

Contact: Rosemary Mariniello, Jaguar Land Rover North America, [phone]
Contact: Jim Cain, Ford Division, [phone]
Contact: Sara Tatchio, Lincoln and Mercury, [phone]
Contact: Roger Ormisher, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc., [phone]
Contact: George Pipas, Ford Motor Company, [phone]
Contact: Dan Bedore, Ford Division, [phone]
Contact: Steve Lyons: 313-845-1621
Contact: Mae Smith: 313-845-1510
Contact: Terri Cavanaugh: 313-845-0580

Ford is free to dance with bigots if they choose. But they're going to find out it's VERY bad for their business.

As Americablog asked: What would Ford to if the KKK told them to drop their highly-successful ad campaigns directed at the African-American market segment? I plan on calling every single one of these numbers and asking them this very question.

A lengthy post on this in DU's General Discussion:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5523602

[iconoclastNYC]

11. Know someone at HRC?

If so, please call them and tell them that its ridiculous that they do not have anything on thier home page about this FORD imbroglio......the AP just posted the following article...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051206/ap_on_bi_ge/ford_bo... ;_ylt=Al46j8zJZy9Rwm2mk5Gc.S9dlakA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

The article includes a link to HRC's web site........and HRC doesn't even have anything up on thier homepage about FORD.

IF THEY DID , with a link to donate they could probably bring in a couple hundred thousand.

This is what the DNC does and everytime the Democrats do something bold (shut down the senate, john murtha, etc)
the DNC send out an email telling people about the breaking news......and they rake in the cash.

Rapid Response is very important.

http://www.Americablog.com is covering the ford stor

[terrya]

13. CNN and the AP have picked up this story.

Yes, the HRC needs to put this on their home page. I wish I knew someone there...sorry I can't help.