Lipton Foods Apologizes for Sponsoring the Dixie Chicks [Gold Medal Freep- 24hrs!!]

Unilever Foods North America ^ | March 14, 2003 | E-mail to FR ProtestOR

[ewing]

Email recieved this morning from Lipton to FR protestors: (re: Dixie Chicks Sponsorship Tour and Lipton Foods)

Thank you so much for writing!

We are writing in response to your comments regarding the Dixie Chicks 'Top of the World Tour.' We certainly apologize and are grateful you have chosen to share your thoughts.

As a manufacturer we feel it is a major responsibility to provide our friends and customers with the most creative and entertaining means of sponsorship possible.

We have a long history of presenting 'tasteful' advertising, promotional and sponsorship efforts to the public. We certainly do not wish to offend anyone. In developing our promotional efforts, Unilever and its agencies may not always anticpate all possible implications of a specific campaign.

We will certainly forward all of your comments to our marketing staff.

[abner]

Someone requested that I post this new Yahoo group. Here

[Search4Truth]

[FreeTally]

They've been banned on many stations;

Yes, and it remains to be seen what the coporate ownership of those stations have to say about it. A local DJ can't just cahange a corporate play list. My local stations still play them every hour. I would imagine only stations privately owned will end up "banning" them when this is said and done.

[KneelBeforeZod]

anyone who has worked in "email support" for any type of company can tell you that there are templates to send back to people.

"Dear________

Thank you for your letter regarding ___________. We appreciate any and all feedback. Your concerns have been forwarded to our ______ department."

[ewing]

I may call Lipton at the 800 number to get an upate on what is going on.

[phasma proeliator]

"American people forget way too easily"

Not me.

[ewing]

Is O'Reilly going to jump into the fray tonight?

[Neville72]

Just to let everyone know how much Anti-DixiePig momentum there is out there a Shreveport,LA radio station is asking all of their listeners who are outraged to bring in their DixiePig CDs where they'll be piled up and destroyed by a bulldozer.

[TennTuxedo]

The Dixie Chicks record lable needs Freeping. They record under the Sony label.

http://www.sonynashville.com

[ewing]

You made the difference! All of us together got the quick response...

[ewing]

That sounds even better than the garbage can fire that they were making in Kansas City with the Dixie Chicks CD's!

[conservativecorner]

Holding on the phone right now. BUMP!!

[FreeTally]

I'm sure all you tough guys hiding behind your computer monitros are more than willing to call Emily, Marty and Natalie hateful names to the faces of their husbands.

Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves.

[ewing]

Sony is probably even prouder to have them..I wish they would be ashamed at the Chicks but I doubt they care

[baseballmom]

HEY, I sent them an email yesterday and didn't get a return email.

I'm feeling very offended, slighted, disenfranchised, and discriminated. I have issues and concerns. I need answers.

[ewing]

LOL! Has Jesse Jackson offered to take up your case yet?

[Kwilliams]

Sue Lipton for emotional damages - I would.

[SquirrelKing]

"...I doubt they care what anyone here thinks."

Oh yeah? Well...I am so mad I will...uh...stop leering at pictures of them on the web...and will start using Lipton products to clean my toilet...

[Search4Truth]

I don't know for sure. But Mr. "O" love this kind of stuff. He has been mercilus with other anti-American groups. Plus I always over play my hand. ;)

[strela]

This is vague, generic garbage from Lipton.

Agree. The upshot of the non-apology apology was that they would tell their marketing people about this. I'm sure THAT will set the DCs to shaking in their boots ;)