Subway Panders to European AntiAmerican Attitudes...Needs FReeping

Townhall via Center for Individual Freedom | 7-30-04 | Jeff Mazzella

[Bob J]

Dear Friends,

I am writing today to ask for your help on an issue of utmost importance.

It has come to our attention that SUBWAY, an American company, is using this tray liner (see below for English translation) in their restaurants in Germany and across Europe. In a shameless and anti-American effort to increase sales in Europe, SUBWAY restaurants are promoting the film, "Super Size Me," a documentary about a man who gains weight by gorging himself at McDonald's for 30 days straight without any exercise. Learn more about “Super Size Me”, and its irresponsible message.

The most offensive part of this new advertising campaign is the display of an obese Statue of Liberty holding a burger and fries in her hands. The headline screams “Why are Americans so fat?” (The headline uses the German word “Amis” – a derogatory term for Americans.)

Simply put, SUBWAY’s advertising strategy is a new low in corporate behavior -- exploiting cultural tensions and inflaming anti-American sentiment abroad just to sell more sandwiches. It is appalling that SUBWAY, a U.S. company, would attack Americans and the Statue of Liberty in a time of war ... just to gain market share.

In response, the Center for Individual Freedom (www.cfif.org), together with Frontiers of Freedom (www.ff.org) and several other organizations, has launched its own campaign to demand that SUBWAY immediately end its anti-American marketing ploy.

To be effective, we desperately need your help!

An excerpt from today’s Houston Chronicle, which reported on this issue in a front page article, reads: "SUBWAY officials thought a tie-in with a movie featuring [Jared] Fogle and raising awareness about the nation's weight problem 'just seemed to make sense' for a company that has just launched a campaign to fight childhood obesity,” Kane said.

There you have it folks. No denial, no apology, no shame.

Please join us in demanding that SUBWAY immediately halt its anti-American propaganda scheme overseas. Call SUBWAY CEO Fred DeLuca today! Urge him to stop his cynical advertising campaign against the United States. The phone number for Mr. DeLuca at Subway's Executive Offices in Connecticut is 800-888-4848, ext. 1401.

I also want to encourage you to write letters to the editor of your local newspapers condemning SUBWAY for its anti-American marketing scheme. And to make this campaign successful, it’s critical that you help spread the word by forwarding this call to action to your friends and family.

We need your help. Let SUBWAY know that Americans refuse to tolerate their shameless gambit. Take Action NOW!

Sincerely,

Jeff Mazzella Executive Director Center for Individual Freedom www.cfif.org

Translation of Subway Tray-liner--Germany

Michael Moore quote:

“The only time I have been scared/frightened for my life has been going through a McDonald’s drive-thru.”

Trayliner text:

Why are Americans so fat?

In the Michael Moore tradition, New York filmmaker Morgan Spurlock does some deep questioning and self experiments for 30 days on products from the world’s largest fast food company.

Astounding revelations…scary liver levels and horrifying blood levels that would cause any doctor the highest degree of alarm.

In this top satire, which won the prize for best direction from Sundance 2004, Spurlock explores the questions of responsibility between big business and consumers, and the big money which contributes to this “Fast Food” culture, and how to make Americans healthy again. An ironic hit into the stomach that is enriched by fat and facts behind this dubious mega industry.

Passage near Statue of Liberty:

You care about what you eat and everything isn’t equal? Then you shouldn’t miss this film about foolish intake. It will open your eyes.

[Bob J]

Ironic isn't it? In an effort to point out the healthy(?) aspects of their menu, they slam Americans than sidle up to Moore, the most overweight propagandist in Hollywood.

[geros]

supersized statue of liberty:

Is that Janet Reno? sure looks like her!

[TaxRelief]

While I agree that SUBWAY corporate needs some pressure, the Subways in my area are franchises.

The owners are part of our community. They donate free food to special events. Their kids play sports with my kids. Many of them are middle eastern Christians. Letters to my local paper would hurt them and their families.

Bugging corporate offices is a good idea, though.

[struwwelpeter]

McDonald's likes to threaten the little guy for using anything similar to their logo, etc. Now we shall find out if they have the guts to go after another large outfit.

I wonder why they never pick up on these guys. It's an Indonesian company that sells all over Russia and Ukraine. Not bad coffee for instant.

[struwwelpeter]

"Amis" is the main slang, but since it means "friends" in French I suppose no one minds.

Now when they make it "Scheissamis", then I'm upset.