February 6, 2007 2:21 PM

Every now and again, a little well-placed outrage goes a long ways....

Here’s an update on my post yesterday on Snickers’ Super Bowl ads: Things that make you go “Hmmm….”. John Aravosis at AMERICAblog is reporting that Snickers has removed the four ads from their website. In fact, clicking on the link in my post takes you directly to the Snickers home page (not that the clips aren’t available on YouTube or a million and one other places on the Internet).

The good thing is that the outrage expressed by several groups and individuals was heard (the story made today’s New York Times) and the commercials were removed. Nonetheless, the problems remain…the primary issue being that corporate America still seems not to “get it”- that offensive material based on race, gender, or sexual orientation just is…not…funny. Period.

That said, a victory is still a victory, and those of us who value diversity and the dignity of all Americans should take some happiness and satisfaction out of it. No, it doesn’t change the world or the realities we face, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. At least Snickers did the right thing…if not necessarily for all the right reasons.

“As with all of our Snickers advertising, our goal was to capture the attention of our core Snickers consumer, primarily 18-to-24-year-old adult males, said a spokeswoman for Masterfoods, Alice Nathanson. “Feedback from our target consumers has been positive, and many media and Web site commentators on this year’s Super Bowl lineup ranked the commercial among this year’s best.

“We know that humor is highly subjective and we understand that some consumers have found the commercial offensive, Ms. Nathanson said, adding: “Clearly that was not our intent. We do not plan to continue the ad on television or on our Web site.

Not exactly the mea culpa some of us might have been hoping for, but at least the ads were taken down. The next step, of course, is working to create an environment where this sort of thing doesn’t happen at all. THAT’S where the real work continues….

blog comments powered by Disqus

Technorati

Technorati search

» Blogs that link here

About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on February 6, 2007 2:21 PM.

Is it possible to do the right thing in the wrong way? You can if you're Rick Perry. was the previous entry in this blog.

Moral courage...it shouldn't have to be an oxymoron is the next entry in this blog.

Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.

Contact Me

Powered by Movable Type 5.12