Posted on 09/09/2016 11:17:31 AM PDT by nickcarraway
A Texas mattress company released an ad to promote a special 9/11 sale, but it quickly took an offensive turn when the employees imitated the World Trade Center Twin Towers falling.
Miracle Mattress posted the ad on Facebook for its “Twin Towers Sale” on Sept. 11, The Dallas Morning News reported. In the video, which has since been deleted, Miracle Mattress manager Cherise Bonanno is heard saying “What better way to remember 9/11 than with a Twin Tower sale?”
Bonanno goes on to describe the deals shoppers can score as two men and two towers of mattresses stand behind her. At the end, she pretends to fall on the men, who then knock down the twin mattresses.
“We’ll never forget,” Bonnano says at the end after shrieking in panic.
Many people were outraged by the 20-second ad that used 9/11 as a promotional tool. On Thursday morning, Miracle Mattress posted an official apology on Facebook and said customers may post their “opinions and reactions to respect an open and transparent discussion regarding the video that caused much embarrassment and anger.”
The post garnered more than 500 comments, with majority of people saying the apology was unacceptable and not enough to smooth over the situation that poked fun at a tragic day in history.
“I find it hard to believe you knew anyone or any of your employees knew anyone who lost their lives in 9/11! If that were the case they would have been so disgusted with your commercial that it would have never seen the light of day! You should be ashamed!!!!!” one woman wrote.
“You’re sorry you offended me? That’s not an apology I accept. Apologizing for creating it in the first place would be a start. Admitting you were WRONG for creating it is another step. There will never be an appropriate time to mock 9/11, and to do it to promote mattress sales?! Are you kidding me? Have some self respect,” another said.
Hours later, the mattress company released another formal apology letter in response to the choir of complaints from the initial attempt. This time, it was written by Miracle Mattress owner Mike Bonanno and addressed to “All the Victims and Families of 9/11.”
Below is an excerpt of the letter:
“I say this unequivocally, with sincere regret: the video is tasteless and an affront to the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11. Furthermore, it disrespects the families who lost their loved ones and continue to struggle with the pain of this tragedy every day of their lives.
All I can say is I am deeply sorry and on behalf of the entire Miracle Mattress family, I accept full responsibility for this thoughtless and crude advertisement and will immediately hold my employees accountable for this serious lapse of decency.”
I am disgusted such a video would have been conceived as a promotional tool and even more incensed it was created and posted on any social media site that represents Miracle Mattress.”
They did it to get the publicity.
No one is this stupid in this day and age.
(Sigh)
Next will be an MLK Day “White Sale”!
Please tell me what was funny about the ad. I wait with baited breath for your review.
Hey, is it okay to market '9/11 Victim' Halloween costumes yet?
The woman in ad has last name Bonnanno.. Wife or daughter or sister of owner?
The woman in ad has last name Bonnanno.. Wife or daughter or sister of owner?
https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=PGwKkFvJM9Q
She is described as owner here.Crying because they were sorry, did something stupid..oh and got death threats. Will donate 30 per cent of sales this weekend to 9-11 fund. No word if the next ad will have a teacher leading a bunch of kids past bedding for their Sandy Hook sale.
You’re an asshole.
Yeah, how about a Holocaust themed sale? Has it been long enough to do that?
And no, I'm not equating the scale of the two, just pointing out the terribly bad judgement.
Having said that, I do get your point - too many of us have forgotten too soon. I lost two work colleagues who were there to do a presentation that day. I didn't know them well, but others I worked with did. We watched everything unfold on TVs in the boardroom :-(.
He’s going to star in Jackass 3.
My husband and I lost our friend and fellow club member Kristen White on Flight 93. My apartment was filled with black smoke and the stink of burning building was incredible. The beautiful restaurant where I was married was destroyed. Some have real and personal memories of this.
30 % of sales proceeds this weekend to the charity? What’s 30 per cent of nothing?
There is nothing I could say to you to make that commercial seem anything other than offensive to you without seeming disrespectful . I don’t wish to do that. You are entitled to your opinion and reaction. I agree with you that they should not have done it.
A laugh riot. Perhaps they can have some child burn victims in their next mattress sale ad.
Thank you.
I more thought of Arlington as the perineum...
Wait...ain’t that the taint?
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