Posted on 07/14/2004 5:20:35 PM PDT by Hildy
I did a search and didn't see anyone else post it. So here it is. Just received this from Slim-Fast:
Dear Hildy Linn ,
Thank you for contacting us recently about our use of Whoopi Goldberg, specifically regarding her remarks made at the recent fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall. The manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express her personal beliefs at this event do not reflect the views and values of Slim·Fast Foods Company.
Slim·Fast selected Whoopi Goldberg as its spokesperson because of her commitment to losing weight, which we applaud.
We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended you. Advertisements featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on air.
We appreciate you sharing your views with us and we hope you will continue to use Slim·Fast as your partner in healthy weight management.
Sincerely,
Shelby Mahan
Rep
<< I think I can hear Tim Robbins saying that a chill wind blows. No, Tim, you and Whoopi blow. >>
That sounds like A Truth a bloke aughter write a song about -- Doug?!
Rollin' rollin' rollin'
Keep them Dem heads rollin'
They mouths can keep on runnin' but can't hide --
Even when they're under th'weather
We still got they measure
We soon get they sponsers on our side ........
Lah lah lah lah de dah
I like that.
Make that a 235 lbs.....yea ...maybe even a quarter tonne
Got this E-mail today in response to the one I sent them:
...
Thank you for contacting us recently about our use of Whoopi Goldberg, specifically regarding her remarks made at the recent fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall. The manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express her personal beliefs at this event do not reflect the views and values of Slim·Fast Foods Company.
Slim·Fast selected Whoopi Goldberg as its spokesperson because of her commitment to losing weight, which we applaud.
We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended you. Advertisements featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on air.
We appreciate you sharing your views with us and we hope you will continue to use Slim·Fast as your partner in healthy weight management.
Sincerely,
Kathi Eckler
Consumer Services Manager
I will be buying Slim-Fast regularly for a while at the very least, to thank the company for their decisive action.
If anybody suggests other healthy products by the same company, I'll look for those also.
There didn't used to be nearly as big a risk in using celebrity spokespeople. I think Marilyn Monroe and James Dean led the nihilist, actors and actresses that are a half-bubble off plumb wave. Prior to them, actors and actresses generally came off as normal people when they weren't acting. During the days when stars were under contracts to studios, they were much more careful about their public images. There's still a chance for a major payoff with a celebrity spokesperson. Michael Jordan's total impact on the economy, for example, was measured in billions, not millions. However, Jordan also knew where his bread was buttered. You might guess who he'd vote for, but not from his public statements. Rodney Dangerfield was considered a terrific celebrity spokesperson. OTOH, you're correct that there's a risk. I always believe the Rosie/Penny Marshall advertisements for Kmart actually cost them sales, and that was before Rosie went completely off the deep end. Even political spokespeople can be effective. Bob Dole made a mint for Viagra, but again, Bob Dole isn't a nutball.
As to Whoopie as a spokesperson, well, anybody that chooses Whoopie, Oprah, Phil Donahue, Babs Striesand, Rob Reiner, Michael Moore, Ray Lewis, the Olsen twins, or Julia Roberts as a spokesperson obviously has a target audience that's not me.
Actually, the only celebrity endorsements that ever made any difference to me were that Rush Limbaugh got me to look at Macintosh computers, and John Wayne did an advertisement for a headache medicine. Hey, when the Duke talks, you've gotta listen.
Thank GOD! I refuse to give up my Hellman's! :-)
<< I like that. >>
So write us a celebratory song, why doncha? -- Like in the Good Old Days!
Blessings -- Brian
Today,celebrities suffer,because they are no longer shielded from the public.They go out looking like drug addled bums and everybody knows about it.They behave badly? It's breaking news!
And now there's FR,which has MUSCLE. :-)
That's just BRILLIANT,doug and a great sing-along. :-)
<< But does she have a cushion? >>
Nope.
And, now that it has dumped its whoopie -- nor does Slimfast.
:)
Pretty fine, Doug.
Like I said -- Just like the ol'days.
Best ones -- B A
I've never seen a company react that fast. Course, from what I understand, they had a 1.2 billion dollar drop in stock value in one day. Guess that will wake anyone up.
Whoopie has every Right to say what she wants.
She has every Right to criticize the president.
She has every Right to be a spokeperson for any product.
I have every Right not to buy that product.
Blacks started using the boycott as a tool,in the late '30s,I think, and there are far more of us,than there are activist blacks.At least WE don't "boycott as blackmail/make money from it",as Jesse Jackson does.But boycotts and threat of boycotts WORK! It's a tool that Conservatives should use and use and use.:-)
She has the right to say whatever she wants. And any company that hires her to promote their product has the right to fire her. God bless America!
What cracks me up is the idea of boycotting Poopi for the things she said about Bush. Makes more sense to me to boycott her because...well, she ain't funny. Never was, never will be. How someone like this has built and sustained a career in show biz lasting two decades is beyond me.
Now, show us the tape!
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