Target store chain void of common decency (ACTION ALERT)

AFA.net ^ | 9/25/03 | Don Wildmon

[truthandlife]

Would you believe Target has approved its Marshall Field's stores to sell a product called FCUK? Target must consider parents really naive to not know exactly what type of message they are "targeting" to our kids.

Here's how one mother put it:

I didn't see this on television but it was an advertisement insert in last Sunday's newspaper for Marshall Field's dept. store for a cologne and a clothing line aimed at teenagers called "Fcuk" and their advertising slogan to go with it is "scent to bed". I was really appalled at this and then a friend of mine saw huge posters promoting this IN the Marshall Field's store in my area. When she complained to a clerk about it she was referred to a manager who told her the corporate office makes all the decisions about what they advertise. Another mother put it this way:

Not only does the name make an obvious grab at the mind to be misspelled as one of the vilest slang words ever used, it also goes further to make its point. A young, attractive, half dressed couple are snuggling on a bed with the words "scent to bed" superimposed over their picture. On the inside where you can pull the flyer apart to see what the product smells like you read "open here to try fcuk her" and "open here to try fcuk him". On the back page is an offer to "get your scent to bed t-shirt". For a major retailer to promote and sell this type of product is reprehensible to me. I hope it is to you too! I think we need to pull out all the stops to let Target know they have crossed the line with our families.

ACTION NEEDED Will you join me by making an extra effort in contacting the Target corporation by taking action? We already know the Target will block emails sent through the AFA Action Alert system, so your extra effort is greatly appreciated!

Call Target's toll-free number and let them know how disgusted you are with their decision to sell FCUK products through their Marshall Field's stores. Their toll free number is 1-800-440-0680, extension 1.

Here's a note: You will be told that you are calling Target, not Marshall Field's. Don't be fooled by their attempt to discourage you. Target is responsible for Marshall Field's decision to sell their nasty product!

In addition, they may ask for your mailing address. We recommend not giving that information. By doing so, your home might become a target for receiving a promotional mail out for the product.

Additional contact information:

Headquarters Address Target Stores 1000 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 304-6073 Fax: 612-696-3731 Online comment form: Click Here

[chainsaw]

I think she was mistaken - these creeps can't spell, which figures because they can do arithmetic either.

[sasafras]

Yeah thats sounds real good lets buy more of this stuff so they think we support their product. World to Beelzebubba - wake up and smell the coffee the idea is to BOYCOTT the product not buy it brainiac. I can see now why this country is so messed up.

[af_vet_rr]

I'm going to send them an e-mail telling them to go FCUK themselves.

Thank you, I'm now off the hook for worst comment in this thread ;-)

[azhenfud]

Neither I nor members of my family will enter another Target store until the decision to unshelve all FCUK items is implemented.

This market choice is either a gross display of ignorance or a serious miscalculation of the consumers' intelligence, which is at minimum, offensive.

Sincerely,"

[Gunslingr3]

I dont know where I can shop anymore. Walmart's out, now Target's out. Where can a guy get razorblades and windshield wipers without paying an arm and a leg?

The irony...

[GSWarrior]

You know, there is a big FCUK store down the street from my office and it certainly is unnerving and unsettling. I would never buy anything from them and would forbid my kids from wearing their acronym. But...these are just letters of the alphabet that don't even spell an actual word. They are harmless. I'm willing to just roll my eyes on this one.

[NormB]

Do you believe this siht?
What's the world coming to?

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I called and they tol dme they would direct my concerns to their corporate headquaters. Seems like they are expecting a response to this. I told the lady they are making my job as a parent impossible with this type of advertising ,and I thought it was not creative at all.

[Always Right]

Shoot, I am more offended by the fact it is a French product! Tell Target to FCUK off...

[T Minus Four]

Dang, I zipped right through that. Well that does it, I'm not buying siht from Target.

[Snake65]

Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in
waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht
the frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl
mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do
not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.

[Theodore R.]

Isn't Target owned by popular Sen. Mark Dayton, D-MN?

[swheats]

Thanks I contacted them. I had just decided to start shopping there again. I'll have to see how this one goes.

[hchutch]

I just might patronize stores that sell it. Wildmon doesn't like it - fine. But he ought not to try to remove my ability to buy it from stores.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I won't be buying SIHT from Target either!

(Actually, that would be a pretty funny parody product!)

[MD_Willington_1976]

I've seen a shirt like that on a well endowed female at the local university was wearing it, the caption read "Too Tired to Fcuck"...

Now if you are an adult and want to wear this silly ass crap then hey thats ok..but dont buy this crap for a kid..

[Atlas Sneezed]

For their part, FCUK continues to play coy. "Our message is light-hearted and fun, and any misinterpretation is purely in the eye of the beholder," said Karen Gori, a brand manager for FCUK Fragrance.

---

Then why aren't they naming the US branch "FCUS" or FCUSA"?

[jmc813]

I think 'fcuk' would make a good FR sceen name.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Actually, this would be pretty funny if they were targeting adults...

[Voice in your head]

Thanks for the post. In the arena of victimless crimes, I think that this is how the free market can and should (and is) police itself, rather than relying on government intervention. People like yourself can effectively maintain the moral high ground, when you preach morality, by condemning the sale of crud, and practice morality, by not taking the easy wrong - meaning that you are not resorting to using the coercive force of government for your desired ends. Kudos to you.