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12/23/2008
Wherein we resist the urge to use 'soup to nuts' headline
Last week we told you how the unrepentant extremists at the American Family Association are now targeting Campbell's because the soup company did the "radical" thing of advertising in a gay magazine using actual gay people. Well we're happy to now tell you that the tomato soup makers have no plans to can their lesbiqueer-friendly bisque. This from AdAge:
The ad, created by the staff of The Advocate for Campbell but part of a larger campaign crafted by Omnicom Group's BBDO, New York, was challenged by the conservative media watchdog group American Family Association, and the resulting online to-and-fro gained considerable traction over the weekend.
On its website, the AFA has urged consumers to e-mail Campbell and demand they stop "pushing the gay agenda" and then call the Swanson division directly to ask that it "remain neutral in the culture war."
Campbell made no apologies for the series of ads, which it said is its first in any LGBT publication, and instead took a decisive stance on the criticism. "Our position on this is pretty straightforward," said company rep Anthony Sanzio. "Inclusion and diversity play an important role in our business, and that fact is reflected in our marketing plan. For more than a century, people from all walks for life have enjoyed Campbell's products, and we will continue to try to communicate in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them."
He added: "Our plans for the Swanson brand include additional placements in The Advocate."
Stands Firm on Ads in LGBT Mag Despite Criticism From Conservative Group [AdAge]
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Warhol would be proud!
Your thoughts
If there is a god like they say - people like the folks at AFA must give him an awful headache with all that screeching and poop throwing. Seriously. If god didn't like diversity then why did he create so much of it? AFA needs to STFU already!
Posted by: EvilPoet | Dec 23, 2008 3:53:50 PM
Apart from anything else, everyone eats food (except cyborgs like Dick Cheney) so Campbell knows that if they piss the gays off, that's a lot more people who might not be buying their tasty soup. Not just gay people, but people who simply aren't impressed when a food company grovels pitifully because AFA gets a bee in their bonnet about something.
Posted by: Celia the lurker | Dec 23, 2008 4:48:25 PM
From the AFA - "Campbell Soup bought two 2-page ads in the December and January issues of The Advocate, the nation's largest homosexual magazine. The ads promote their Swanson line of broth, and one of the ads highlights the lives of two lesbians, who are portrayed as being married, along with "their" son. Other ads feature chefs from New York City."
So the AFA wants to control lgbt images to exclude normal same-sex families, but lgbts are the ones who are intolerant?
Okay. I will get it as soon as my head stops spinning.
Posted by: a. mcewen | Dec 23, 2008 6:00:13 PM
It's funny that they keep repeating this line, asking companies to "remain neutral" in this so-called culture war.
How is it "neutral" for them to always get their way?
Posted by: Kamikapse | Dec 23, 2008 6:00:24 PM
Since AFA was nice enough to provide the e-mail address for the Campbell Soup president, I sent a short e-mail letting Campbell know that I appreciate inclusive advertising and will continue to buy their soup. I hope he gets a lot of positive e-mails to offset the stupidity from AFA.
Posted by: DontBuyFromBigots.com | Dec 23, 2008 6:00:24 PM
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