Spanish McDonald's ad prompts talk of a boycott; Bergen town's mayor calls billboard 'divisive'

STAR LEDGER ^ | Saturday, July 08, 2006 | ANA M. ALAYA Star-Ledger Staff

[Liz]

The mayor of a small Bergen County, New Jersey town is calling for a McDonald's boycott if the fast-food chain does not take down a Spanish-language billboard.... Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan said the advertisement is "offensive" and "divisive"......"The true things that bind us together as neighbors and community is our belief in the American flag and our common language," Lonegan said. "And when McDonald's sends a different message, that we're going to be different now, that causes resentment."

Representatives for McDonald's and CBS Outdoor in New York, the company that owns the billboard on River Road in Bogota, defended the advertisement....said Jodi Senese, executive vice president for marketing for CBS Outdoor.

Jennifer Nagy, a marketing manager of McDonald's NY Metro Region, stood by the advertisement.

Lonegan was dismissive of the statement yesterday. "I think that their boilerplate press release is totally meaningless," Lonegan said. "It shows their utter disregard for this community."

Martin Perez, president of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, an umbrella group of 250 Hispanic organizations, said there is an "anti-Latino" sentiment behind the opposition to the advertisement.

Deborah Jacobs, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said McDonald's has a first amendment right to advertise in Spanish.

[stephenjohnbanker]

What Bentley?

[stephenjohnbanker]

ROTF!

[TommyDale]

The only catch is that you have to sign an agreement showing the video on the internet.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Now now...............don't drag Robin Leach into this!!!!

[Liz]

If you eat our burger, you get to nail Paris?

Mmmmmmm.....don't think so. Paris already has a manicurist.

[TommyDale]

And a pedicurist, it appears.

[stephenjohnbanker]

I will do it for $4,877,876.12

[TommyDale]

"I will do it for $4,877,876.12"

You are the only bidder!

[Liz]

And you arrived at that figure, how?

[stephenjohnbanker]

I don't come cheap.

[Liz]

Oh, yeah. She's equipped with everything.

[Liz]

We're darn lucky to get SJB at any price.

[TommyDale]

I don't come cheap or easy. However, I am quite flexible.

[Liz]

The only catch is that you have to sign an agreement showing the video on the internet.

In legal circles, that is known as the Pam Anderson clause.

[TommyDale]

"Oh, yeah. She's equipped with everything."

Antibiotics, too?

[stephenjohnbanker]

Well, take the cosine of x, and factor in the cost of a full body condom. And there you have it.

[Liz]

Damn---I was hoping you were easy.

[stephenjohnbanker]

"We're darn lucky to get SJB at any price."


A bit more snow in here, and we can ski.

[TommyDale]

A bit more BS and we can have a rodeo!

[stephenjohnbanker]

"Antibiotics, too?"

$65.00 more.