Radio Shack Cop Out (re: Rush Limbaugh "boycott")

e-mail | 2/7/03 | Me

[WarSlut]

Hello:

Thanks for the email.

RadioShack has a long-standing policy of not intentionally buying advertising space on programs that might be political or socially controversial or that promote any one individual's agenda or point of view. While you may not agree, "The Rush Limbaugh Show" is one we deem to fall under this policy, as are the shows of people like Bill Maher, Dennis Miller and Dr. Laura Schlesinger.

Regardless of what has been reported, RadioShack did not make a decision to "pull" advertising from "The Rush Limbaugh Show" because we do not buy this show in the first place. Our media buying strategy does not include the purchase of specific radio shows that are against our policy.

We do, however, purchase specific blocks of time during a day within a national or regional buy. If a listener has heard a RadioShack commercial airing during "The Rush Limbaugh Show," it is simply an error made by the radio network or local affiliate who is given strict instructions about our policy and is supposed to block out our radio spots on shows that we deem against our policy. Unfortunately programming mistakes are made. When we learn of an error, as in this case, we ask the network or affiliate to make sure they are complying with our policy.

Simply put, our advertising isn't intended to offend or to exclude anyone from shopping at RadioShack. The friendly, helpful sales staff in our stores work hard to earn your trust: I assure you that the last thing we want is for our advertising to impede their efforts.

RadioShack Customer Care

[WarSlut]

So the next time you hear a Radio Shack ad on Rush's show, remember it's just a mistake. Act accordingly.

[Samurai_Jack]

Form Letter!

Radio Shack basically gave them the finger.

[WorkingClassFilth]

It might be interesting to know where people like the Unibomber and the World Trade Center bombers bought their electronic components for constructing bombs. The suppliers of such materials might be embarrassed because of the politically sensitive nature of such connections...

[moyden]

I'll never enter a RadioShack again.

[samkatz]

mega dittos. BOYCOTT RADIO SHACK... boycott the boycotters.

[GodBlessUSA]

Here's my letter from Bose. I wish my parents didn't hear their ad on Rush. Then they would have purchased their product. I know I never will .. Now


*****To reply to this message, please select the reply button. To help us
expedite your inquiry, please be sure to include our original
response.******

Hello,

Bose Corporation does not currently advertise on Rush Limbaugh and has no
plans to in the foreseeable future.

We advertise in a fully diversified mix of media. However, our advertising
placements are not an endorsement of the opinions or views expressed by the
editorial content of the publication or program where our ads appear.

Bose Corporation makes advertising decisions based on whether or not an ad
is returning investment in the medium where it's placed. We do not make
advertising decisions based on political opinions or affiliations.

Thank you for choosing Bose Corporation
Customer Support Team

[GodBlessUSA]

ooops
I meant - wouldn't have purchased a Bose

[Slainte]

Ok. I must be a simpleton...

In my market, Rush is carried on a station that runs political talk 24/7. It would be impossible to buy ANY time on that station and not be buying time on a program that advanced an agenda.

Unless in other markets Rush is typically carried on stations that spin 80's New Wave hits for the remaining hours, this form letter is nothing but a steaming pile of BS.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Didn't Rush used to appear in an ad for Bose?

[weegee]

We advertise in a fully diversified mix of media.

Embracing "diversity" by shunning a strong client?

[and the horse you rode in on]

Rush is a big boy. In radio he is the biggest boy. He can take care of himself. If he wants someone boycotted, he will surely say so, loud and clear.

If there is any negative press about a boycott you can be sure it will land on him.

If he asks, I will boycott Radio Shark, but I am not gonna volunteer him as the reason for a boycott he hasn't called for

[knuthom]

I can recommend patronizing one Rush advertiser. Hotwire.com advertises on his show, as well as on Dr. Laura's. I tried them and was delighted to stay at a Holiday Inn near the St. Louis airport for $29.

[SpaceBar]

I'm gonna catch holy heck for this, but here goes...

I have absolutely no problem with Tandy Corporation picking and choosing what programs/time-slots/medium or whatever for their advertising dollars. Being a long time Rush listener, Tandy's decision to not advertise on his show doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's not like they have an advertising banner on the NAMBLA websight or anything. I guess I'm just having a difficult time understanding why folks are getting so bent out of shape over this. Please enlighten me. Also note that my opinions above are genuine as is my query. Flames and/or insults will not be responded to.

[WarSlut]

Rush has personally done ads for Bose, and they've been advertsing the new headphones daily on his show.

Bose obviously thinks we're all morons.

I'm adding Bose to my "never again" list, as well.

[WarSlut]

It's not the fact that they choose not to advertise on Rush's show. It's the fact that THEY DO, then deny it in the face of even the slightest pressure from the anti-Bush left.

Basically, what they're saying is, "we know our ads have been reaching you all these years, Mr. & Mrs. Rush Limbaugh listener... but the truth is, we never really wanted anything to do with you."

It's an insult.

As is your comparison of Rush to NAMBLA.

[logic101.net]

Those who decide not to advertise on Rush pay the price in lost sales; the show is huge and the listeners have money to spend! It's no loss to Rush, he is NOT hurting for advertisers!

I can't see putting a company on my already too long boycott list for deciding not to advertise someplace, or even for deciding to no longer advertise there. Were a company to come out an endorse a policy I strongly disagree with, they go on the list (Hallmark, Blockbuster to name a couple). Were a company to endorse Hitlery for Pres, they would go on the list. If they sponsored some left wing hate program, they would go on the list. However, to boycott a company because of where they choose NOT to advertise? Come on folks!

MARK A SITY
http://www.logic101.net/

[lewislynn]

Does anybody even still buy their overpriced crap?

[WarSlut]

See #16.

[SpaceBar]

"As is your comparison of Rush to NAMBLA."

You were doing pretty well until you got to that line. Please note that I used the construct "not like". That, in modern parlence is a contrast, not a comparison.