YOU'LL NOTICE THEY EMAILED HIM, RATHER THAN CALLING - DIDN'T WANT TO USE UP THOSE VALUABLE ROAMING MINUTES.
Such courage. This is from today's AdAge.
T-Mobile Yanks Ads From Two FX TV Shows
CEO Says Program Content Is 'Inconsistent With Who We Are'
WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- T-mobile CEO Robert Dotson has blasted his own company's media-planning policy and insisted it pull all its ads off Fox's FX-an unusual outburst that seems to signify a surprising victory for Don Wildmon and his American Family Association.
Declaring that the content was 'inconsistent with who we are and what we stand for' T-mobile CEO Robert Dotson pulled the company's ads from the FX shows 'Rescue Me' and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.' |
After Wildmon and his supporters allegedly bombarded Mr. Dotson's inbox to complain about T-Mobile's support for two FX shows-"Rescue Me" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" -- that they consider offensive, the CEO responded with a letter to the association. "I have personally taken the time to view some of the programs where we have run advertising," his note stated. "Candidly, some of the choices we have made are clearly inconsistent with who we are and what we stand for."
In the case of the two FX shows, the AFA has complained to advertisers supporting the programs that that the shows are "over the edge in sex, violence and profanity."
But Mr. Dotson's response is what makes this case unusual. With no warning and despite a lack of prior conversations with the group, Mr. Dotson sent a letter to the association July 20 promising changes.
"We are taking the following immediate actions," he wrote. "In addition to removing advertising from programs brought to our attention, effective immediately, we are pulling all advertising from the FX channel pending further review of their programming [and] I have directed my marketing and advertising leads to conduct a deeper review of our advertising standards to ensure that our selections are consistent with the qualities of T-Mobile's brand."
Even the American Family Association was surprised at the reaction. "This is extremely unusual, a first in a long, long time, where a major corporate CEO actually takes time to listen to concerns and makes a personal investment," said Randy Sharp, director of special projects and education.