"Yes, (Bush is a) racist. We all knew that but the world is only finding it out now....blah blah blah....." Danny Glover
I had heard drivel like this from detective murtaugh before so after seeing an MCI ad on tv I decided to drop MCI a line about their spokesman. I don't have a copy of it, damn web forms, but it was not particularly nasty, just letting them know that comments like those above do not put MCI in a particularly positive light. Here is the response, then a response from me, and another from them.
I have written similar mails and most of the time there is no response. In this case it appears that MCI is more than willing to stick up for their spokesman.
Thank you for contacting MCI ® e-Customer Service. We sincerely value your opinion about our new spokesperson. Just like any other citizen, Mr. Glover is entitled to express his own personal views and opinions. But please understand, Mr. Glover's personal views are his own and do not represent the views of MCI. As has always been our policy, MCI does not comment or take positions on social and/or socio-political issues and views.
My response.
"Just like any other citizen, Mr. Glover is entitled to express his own personal views and opinions. "
Citing disclaimers ignores the FACT that while anyone is free to express their opinion, when they do it in public, they become known for that opinion, and when they appear in public to hawk your wares YOU become associated with that opinion whether you like it or not. Disclaimers won't change that. You say it is MCI policy not to comment or take positions on social and/or political issues and views but when you hire a spokesman who HAS commented and taken positions on social and/or political issues those comments and positions become yours, again, whether you like it or not.Thank you for contacting MCI e-Customer Service. We take all feedback and perspectives under careful consideration and respect the feelings and viewpoints you have shared with us about our new spokesperson, Danny Glover. Mr. Glover's personal political views were not known by us when he was hired for this work. In fact, at the time we first contacted him, he had recently received the Marian Anderson Award which honors artists whose leadership benefits humanity. Our consumer research indicates overwhelming support for Mr. Glover with extremely high appeal ratings. However, we do continually monitor consumer opinions on all of our advertising campaigns and factor new developments into our business decisions. We sincerely regret the offense you feel with respect to our advertising with Danny Glover.
"Offense" is their word, I just offered some friendly advice that they might want to hire a spokesman who has not made comments that many of their customers would strongly disagree with, and/or find insulting.