NBC decides not to run liquor ads

Broadcasting and Cable ^ | 3/19/02 | Paige Albiniak

[GeneD]

NBC is pulling back on its plan to air liquor advertising, the network said in a statement on Wednesday.

For four months, the network had been running social-responsibility advertising related to drinking alcohol in preparation for accepting hard-liquor advertising, which it now says it won’t do.

Some members of Congress had voiced their strong opposition to the idea-particularly Reps. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) – but no hearings had been held and no legislation had been introduced that would have prevented NBC from running the ads.

A week ago, however, key members of both the House and Senate Commerce Committees asked NBC to pull the plug.

The announcement comes on the eve of a press conference by Mothers Against Drunk Driving asking the networks to come up with guidelines for beer and wine advertising that are as strict as the ones NBC had adopted for liquor ads.

[Texaggie79]

BUNCHA WUSSES!!!!!

[CARTOUCHE]

Purely a liability decision. With the gross settlements coming in on the cigarette issue and juries that seem to want to penalize corporations for making profits of all things, why wouldn't NBC decide not air liquor ads. Why do you think corporations like Anheuser-Busch are running these drink responsibly campaigns? It's to show a jury in a future liability case that they (A-B) were trying to discourage over-indulgence.

[Texaggie79]

I would run a Jack Daniels add with John Wayne, saying "REAL men drink like REAL MEN!"

[Rubber Ducky]

Over drinkers may shave 10-20 years off their life. Rampant homosexuals shave 30-40 years. Of course, companies love to hire them (until they get AIDS) because they have no family responsibilities, are a politically protected species and likely won't be around to draw on company pension funds.

It is getting about time for Lord Jesus to make his second appearance on this earth.

[JAWs]

Darn it, now how will I know which rotgut to buy?

[afuturegovernor]

At least it shows that NBC was listening to pubic pressure at least a little bit this time.

[xzins]

Something in this bothers me. I'm not clear what it is. I think it is that NBC decides what I'm allowed to think about or not think about.

Something is terribly wrong with that picture. And I oppose drunkenness, intoxicated driving, etc. It's the same as with guns. I don't want anyone controlling what I'm allowed to think or do without some absolutely outstanding reason. This isn't it.

[StickyWings]

Maybe those large corporations like DELL,
are being political correct because of Liability-

Political Correct Socialist
having learn how to shake down
(from learn Jackson)
America Free Enterprises!!!!!

[Hemlock]

Darn it, now how will I know which rotgut to buy?

Don't buy the overpriced (taxed) rotgut. Learn to make your own!

[WyldKard]

The Camels among us must be particularly happy today.

Holy crap on a stick!

Does the Bull Moose Party have a web page now? How about the Whigs? :)

[VA Advogado]

I dont see what the big deal is in running these ads.

[VA Advogado]

With the gross settlements coming in on the cigarette issue and juries that seem to want to penalize corporations for making profits of all things, why wouldn't NBC decide not air liquor ads.

That's a silly arguement. I don't remember any billboard companies being held liable and paying money in the tobacco settlement.

[AppyPappy]

They'll run porn but not liquor ads. Brilliant.

[Gabz]

I dont see what the big deal is in running these ads.

I'm with you. A drink is a drink is a drink - and with the amount of beer commercials on TV, what's wrong with ones for vodka or whiskey.

It's not about encouraging drinking - the point of the advertising is to maintain brand loyalty and garner brand switching.