Posted on 08/25/2004 3:56:36 AM PDT by Bobby Chang
A major automaker is partnering with a homosexual activist group by developing a special marketing campaign geared towards homosexuals.
Ford Motor Company's Jaguar North America and Land Rover North America announced Tuesday their expanded national sponsorship of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
The automakers will launch ads this month featuring a special "give-back" purchase offer benefiting the group, as part of a marketing and advertising campaign designed to reach "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) consumers."
"At Jaguar we understand the importance of creating strong partnerships with community organizations that impact our customers' lives," said George Ayres, vice president of marketing for Jaguar North America. "That is why we are proud to support GLAAD's work to promote fairness, inclusion and equality."
"The principles of diversity and equality are an integral part of Land Rover's values," said Sally Eastwood, vice president of marketing for Land Rover North America. "We are committed to these values both within our company and in the way we reach out to all our customers. This is not just our responsibility, it is good business."
Here's how the "give-back" purchase offer works:
For any new or select edition Jaguar or new or certified pre-owned Land Rover purchased or leased between Jan. 1, 2004 and Dec. 31, 2004, tracked with a special GLAAD/Jaguar/Land Rover coupon, Jaguar and Land Rover will make individual donations of up to $1,000 to GLAAD.
All eligible leases or purchases must be made on or between those dates.
Jaguar and Land Rover are pursuing a "niche market of more than 14 million consumers, with a buying power estimated to be more than $450 billion." In the past, the automakers sponsored the GLAAD Media Awards and the Human Rights Campaign.
"Jaguar and Land Rover understand that fairness and inclusion have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of real people," said Joan M. Garry, executive director of GLAAD.
"Whether as part of their employee relations or their marketing outreach, Jaguar and Land Rover have demonstrated a strong commitment to the GLBT community and to a corporate culture that embraces and harnesses the power of diversity. We're proud to be working with Jaguar and Land Rover," Garry said.
Print ads about the GLAAD purchase offer will run in "national GLBT publications," including OUT and The Advocate.
Ford is intentionally running the homosexual rights campaign with their premium brands.
I suppose they'll have to build an entire automotive legacy with 1-3 percent of the population.
Not with my money, they're not.
Buy Honda and forget about it....
Like to see GM counter with contributions to conservative social causes and see what happens.
My husband was looking at the Ford F150 initially until he saw the Nissan Titans. Thay are very nice! First year but - Very Nice!!
Big deal, any auto manufacturer can put the stick shift in the middle of the drivers seat.
txbubba
ping
oops, sorry about that--I'm still sleeping. It was supposed to be a ping to txbubba.
ping
Bud light tried this, and they dropped it fast after their sales started slipping.
Buy used and rebuild using quality components from American manufacturers....
let the new ones sit on their new car lots....
Hey FORD don't be so discriminatory....you should be sure to add NAMBLA to your list
of perverts
I have already sworn against buying another Ford after I bought a 1997 F-150. One problem after another, before the engine blew after 80,000 miles. The 4.2L engines are junk.
I used to buy Ford products, but this changes my mind completely. I will not support a company that openly backs homosexuality. Those are not my values. They should have stuck to improving their product instead of targeting consumers.
LOL!
We left our bank because of this and right now, Ford will be eliminated from our search for a new car. It is not appropriate for companies, corporations or institutions to pay special homage to any group because of the methods they use to experience sex. When a society tolerates this kind of insanity, who knows what else will be down the road. I am glad I do not own Ford stock..If I did, I would become "socially conscious" today and I would sell.
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