Update: Verizon Wireless pulls offensive commercial.
Pressure from animal organizations and the public, Verizon Wireless does the right thing!
Click here for the full story.
The Background StoryThe
Michael Vick dogs are the perfect example of how Pit bull type dogs are often tortured and neglected, and yet they are able to recover from their trauma and transition to
therapy dogs and friendly pets! What they are unable to overcome is the negative stereotype that still surrounds them in every aspect of the media!
The new LG Dare (Verizon Wireless) TV commercial seems to be oblivious to the plight that the Pit bull type dog faces everyday. Abused, neglected, and misunderstood, the Pit bull type dog has been the cause of much sensationalism and negative attention over the years. This recent commercial in a “series” dares a young hipster dude to A) trespass B) steal. But this is the most innocuous part of the commercial – as the scene unfolds the hipster then must outrun two Pit bull type dogs that are obviously A)
chained B) aggressive and used as guard dogs. The proverbial ‘junkyard dog’ depicted in this commercial is just about as offensively negative a stereotype that could be portrayed. You would think a major corporation would know better, right?
Know What’s Right
Respect What’s Right
Do What’s RightInteresting sentiments – these words are from the
“Your Code of Conduct” handbook from – guess where? Yes, our friends at Verizon Wireless have pages and pages dedicated to integrity, respect and accountability! How much integrity did it take to play on people’s misplaced fears and perpetuate a stereotype? Where’s the accountability?
Public Relations Dept Can't Understand!Well, I talked to a Verizon Wireless media relations person, Brenda Raney, after many call transfers throughout their company. I called because I noticed that the YouTube video of the commercial was no longer available and I hadn’t seen the commercial in a few days. I thought perhaps they had known what’s right, respected what’s right and done what’s right, already. Yeah right!
She explained that they have been getting slack from the public about the commercial, but she quickly added that they’ve also been getting compliments on the commercial. When asked what the percentages were between the two camps, she told me that was private information. Also, they had not pulled the commercial from viewing, as they see no reason to. The commercial might run more infrequently because the other “Dare” commercial is in circulation, and that Verizon Wireless had not taken the commercial off YouTube, but they also swap out different commercials to the website, and it could be coincidence.
Brenda shared some of the company's feelings about how they don't see the commercial as a problem, "we didn’t create the commercial to be offensive. Commercials are fiction and people like the commercial...Recognize that the commercial won’t run forever.
We’re listening to the public, we’re taking into account the comments we’re getting. It’s a fictional setting – the dogs in the commercial are actors. The commercials were never meant to be malicious or mean spirited.
We’ll take to heart comments and concerns from the public for future advertising!”
Let’s Turn It Up for Ya!Verizon Wireless will listen to the public for future advertising tips!
Make a statement:
Switch your phone service and tell ‘em why!
Contact Lowell C. McAdam, the CEO and President of Verizon Wireless to let him know that they should practice what they preach in advertising too!
Click here to contact him.
Contact their public relations department!Sign the petition,
click here Join the
Stop BSL Community on the Best Friends Network!
by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends staffimage by Clay Myers, Best Friends photographer