Ford ceases advertising in gay publications
The antigay American Family Association claimed a cultural victory on Thursday and called off its threatened boycott of Ford Motor Co. On Friday, Ford spokesman Mike Moran confirmed to Advocate.com that the company will stop advertising its Jaguar and Land Rover brands in gay publications but insisted it was strictly a business decision. (source)
Yeah right. You just keep believing that it was “strictly a business decision”. I’ve been in business too long to accept that this was simply done for business reasons. It makes no sense. Why alienate a segment of the population from buying your product for a business reason. That only makes sense if you are trying to drive customers away, which makes no business sense.
This was purely a decision bowing to the special interests of the far right religious bigots. I’m getting so damn sick of these people. Don’t they have anything else better to do?
As far as Ford is concerned, we should of course return the favor by boycotting them. It’s nothing personal, it’s “strictly a business decision” on our part. Right?
And this I read on Dec. 9, 2005
Volvo's Gay Friendly Position Proves Ford Didn't Cave To The AFA
The AFA, which has an undeniable (though it tries) agenda against homosexuals living peacefully and enjoying liberties equal to straight people, is in the business of claiming victories, even when there isn’t one to claim. That helps drive membership contributions. I wouldn’t doubt that some dealer or even a Ford exec may have pointed to some gay magazine titles dropping from Jaguar/Land Rover’s ad schedule as a ploy to make the group go away. But since Volvo has no intention of dropping its ad schedule with The Advocate, a gay magazine, I’m at a loss to figure out why the AFA can claim victory for anything. The AFA took down its www.boycottford.com website, which now simply links to the AFA’s website, citing Ford’s apparent decision to give into their demands.
This is akin to someone claiming they made the sun come out because they did a sun dance just before dawn. Jaguar and Land Rover were almost certainly making these cuts regardless of the AFA.
Ford will be meeting with a coalition of gay advocacy executives soon to hear them out too. Meantime, the groups are squawking. From Michael Wilke, executive director, Commercial Closet Association: “Commercial Closet Association understands Ford Motor Co.'s dilemma, though we don't agree with its decision to reverse its careful research on gay and lesbian consumers, years of friendship-building corporate sponsorship, and gay-friendly advertising since 2002.”
Related Article
December 14, 2005 - Ford changes it's mind
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I suppose you have a point "you all are crybabies". We do tend to bitch a lot about things such as this. Honestly, I don't really care what Ford does. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. So, I think your description of us as a "crybabies" may be a bit misplaced.
On the other hand... if they announced that they were going to cut advertising from the publications that cater to black folks because the KKK didn't like them doing that, would you be calling black folks "crybabies"? Hummmmm?? If you think we are making a bit fuss about this, just think what a fuss THAT would be.
You are right. It is a simple business decision. Just as it is a simple business decision for companies in 37 of the states to legally be able to deny employment to people because they are gay.
That bothers me much more than what Ford is doing. I suppose if they had a product that was worth my interest, I might be a bit more bothered by it. As it is, there are many other cars and trucks out there that are far better quality.
Who cares? It was a business decision, they either alienated gays or supporters of the AFA. They probably have more customers in the AFA supporters group, therefore it was a smarter business move (as evident from you all ripping on Ford and the like, but no bitching about a poor economy when you're sending your money overseas.)
I agree with you Bill... I am a Honda Accord man myself. I've been very happy with mine.
I never was into Ford's that much. Perhaps because I remember my family always having trouble getting the car we had to start when it was cold. I never have that problem with my Accord. There was even a saying at the time: "The coldest car ever made is a Ford."
It's no great loss really. I'm just happy that they decided to keep equality in their work force by retaining health coverage for same-sex partners. Of course, they could change that as well.
Ford in Europe is a lot better, quality-wise, than it used to be, but its decision to bow out of gay media advertising in the US makes it easy to decide NOT to buy from them - not that I ever have (I've had Hondas for the past several years, more recently top of the line Accords and my experience here in the UK and in various Middle Eastern countries with them is that they are far better for aftersales service than other mass market brands - I was tempted by a Prius at my last change earlier this year, though, even taking a test drive, but Toyota seem always to have more basic outlets, perhaps because their cars NEVER break down and presumably sell themselves on sheer reliability).
Ford in the US have undoubtedly decided that the 'redneck' market is more important to them than the gay or 'enlightenied' market - so be it!
Well, it is important to be environmentally friendly I think. We both have Honda's. Kent has a Honda CRV and we now own it. We will be replacing it in a year or so. He's holding out for them to get more hybrids and he will deffinately go with a hybrid next.
I have a Honda Accord - the upscale model with heated seats, full navigation control (very important for me since I can't seem to find my way out of a paper bag), XM Radio (can't live without it now!), and all the little extra things like a 300HP VTEC engine (in case I need to get out of harms way FAST). Of course, the average MPG with it is only 22... not so good. But, since I work from home so much, it's not so bad. I fill up once every week and a half or so.
I've thought about leaving Honda and venturing to other car dealers, but they seem to have me sucked in now. They will do virtually anything in their power to keep me with them now that I'm a customer. Their service department is awesome. They are always courteous, prompt, on time, and have the car ready whenever they say they will.
Unlike Kent, I lease every three years. That seems to work out for me for now, and every three years, I start all over with a new car.
Yep... Prius it is. Though it could be fun too, I doubt it would match the T-Bird. But it's environmentally friendlier. Bye bye Ford.
Dave,
You didn't say if the 'fun' or the 'responsible' won out. I assume you meant that you decided NOT to buy a Ford, based on their decision?
Actually, Ford did this just in time to help me make in intelligent decision. 2006 is a new car year for me. The 'responsible' me wanted a Toyota Prius, the 'fun' me wanted a Ford Thunderbird. Thanks, Ford, for helping me decide. Any yes, Bill, I will write Ford know, and let them know how helpful this decision was.
Darence,
There actually is a "Buying For Equality" guide that the Human Rights Campaign Fund put out. It's actually quite good. Take a look.
Someone should create a list of all the businesses out there we should look out for. . . Personally I think Ford makes crappy(umm, can I say "crappy" on this blog?) vehicles anyway. . .
Cheers,
D.