Award Recipients for the Inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising
November 5, 2009
A GREAT big thank you to everyone who attended the Inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising presented by Ogilvy and Southwest Airlines in New York City on October 27, 2009! Over 350 professionals from the advertising industry attended the event that recognize and honor outstanding images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in advertising.
The evening began with a reception at New World Stages where guests bid on silent auction items with proceeds benefiting GLAAD’s media advocacy and anti-defamation work.
Inside the event, the live auction was conducted by the first female fine art auctioneer in America, Lorna Kelly, and actor Bryan Batt (Mad Men).
The Inaugural Media Awards in Advertising opened with a warm welcome from host, actor Alan Cumming, who received the Vito Russo Award at the 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. After a “GLAAD Men” sketch (in the style of Mad Men), he cued the beginning of the visual presentations. All nominees were shown to the audience – spanning industries and including diverse images of the LGBT community.
After Cumming’s monologue, he introduced Jeffrey Moran of Absolut Vodka, who announced the GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Print/Outdoor advertisement that ran in LGBT outlets. Progressive Insurance accepted the award for “LGBT Print Campaign,” which featured classic antique portraits of gay and lesbian couples, with one-line captions such as, “Generations later, this portrait reached the mantel.” The award was accepted by Miriam Deitcher, Director of Target Marketing for Progressive.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Print/Outdoor advertisement in the Mainstream Market was presented to Allstate’s “Insurance Comes Out” campaign. Allstate’s outdoor advertisement ran on bus shelters and in health clubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco to pay homage to the company’s LGBT consumers. The advertisement featured different printed advertisements containing an equality rainbow and LGBT friendly phrases such as, “Equality is Our Policy” and “You’re Only Human, Fabulous, But Human.” The award was accepted by Megan Dawson, Associate Project Manager and Manager of LGBT Communications at Allstate.
customers, to fellow corporations – and to anyone who sees their ads – that LGBT people should be accepted and valued for our contributions to society,” continued Barrios on the authority of corporate advertising. Barrios concluded that, “GLAAD congratulates the award recipients and will continue to advocate for increased inclusion of LGBT images in mainstream advertising to show gay and transgender people are part of America and respected as customers and employees in these companies.”Barrios then introduced Senior Vice-President and General Manager of LOGO and MTV Networks, Lisa Sherman, to the enthused crowd. The former ad-exec, was brought into cultivate LOGO from its launch in 2005 as an all ad-supported channel. In 2007, AfterEllen reported Sherman as being “number eleven” on their list of “The Top Thirteen Power Lesbians in the Entertainment Industry,” reporting that “under her guidance Logo’s advertisers have grown from three, at its debut in 2005, to more than sixty.” (Click here for more)
With great honor, Sherman took the stage to introduce the Corporate Responsibility Award and announce its winner, Subaru. Tim Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer Subaru, North America, accepted the award.
As the awards continued, Jay Manuel of America’s Next Top Model resumed the stage to begin announcing the award recipients in the categories of television advertising. Bertolli, received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Television – LGBT Market, for their ad “Bertolli Oven Baked Meals” that appeared on LGBT television channels. The advertisement featured a man’s day dream sequence, which gets interrupted by his partner as they sit down for dinner. Bertolli’s Senior Brand Building Director, Gaston Vaneri accepted the award.
The Outstanding Television in a Mainstream Market Award was presented to Orbitz, for their “Golfers” commercial. The award was accepted by Brian Hoyt, Vice-President and Government Affairs for Orbitz. The advertisement ran on national television channels and included a golfer wearing an LGBT equality symbol.
Nancy Hill, President-CEO of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA), awarded Toyota Scion’s “Create-Your-Own-Comic” campaign on LogoOnline.com the GLAAD Media Award 
in the Outstanding Interactive Campaign category. In partnership with Scion, LOGOonline built the application that allowed LOGO viewers to express their creativity with the popular Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple franchise. Users were able to create their own unique comic strip with the show’s characters and were given the ability to create their own Scion to use in their comic. Users were encouraged to share their comics and enter them in a contest that received 2,031 entries. Hill presented the award to Lisa Sherman.
Award recipients, previously announced at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in January 2009 for the categories: Outstanding Advertising – Electronic and Outstanding Advertising – Print, were also recognized at Tuesday night’s event.
Anthony Cirone, former Chair of the Commercial Closet Association Board of Directors, announced a tie in Outstanding Advertising – Electronic between Levi’s “Logo Unbuttoned” campaign and Kenneth Cole’s “We All Walk In Different Shoes – Nina Poon”. A representative from interactive marketing accepted the award for Levi’s sensuous ad featuring a gay couple. Kristen Dykstra spoke on behalf of Kenneth Cole’s enterprising ad featuring transgender model Nina Poon.
Scott Seitz of SPI Marketing and Jeffrey Moran received the award for Outstanding Advertising – Print for “Will You Marry Me” by ABSOLUT® VODKA The ad featured a marriage proposal from a man to his partner on a jumbotron at a baseball game. The caption reads, “In an Absolut World”, a daring political statement campaigning for marriage equality.
The final award of the event
was presented by actress Judith Light along with LGBT advocate and author, David Mixner. Light and Mixner presented Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams with the Public Visibility Award for their personal dedication to advocating for LGBT equality, as well as the inclusion of LGBT stories in advertisements for their furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
Beginning next year, all future advertising nominees will be announced in conjunction with the GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising event. Also, GLAAD maintains an online library of over 4,000 LGBT-inclusive ads.
GLAAD would like to extend great thanks to all the corporate partners for their generous support in making the event a great success and a night to remember.
We hope to see you at the GLAAD’s next event, OUTAuction, on Sunday, November 15, 2009.
The following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising recipients announced on Tuesday in New York.
• Outstanding Print/Outdoor – LGBT Market: “LGBT Print Campaign” Progressive Insurance (Presented by: Jeffrey Moran) [Accepted by: Miriam Deitcher]
• Outstanding Print/Outdoor – Mainstream Market: “Insurance Comes Out” Allstate (Presented by: Jeffrey Moran) [Accepted by: Megan Dawson]
• Corporate Responsibility Award: Subaru (Presented by Lisa Sherman:) [Accepted by: Tim Mahoney]
• TV – LGBT Market: “Bertolli Oven Baked Meals” Bertolli (Presented by: Jay Manuel) [Accepted by: Gaston Vaneri]
• TV – Mainstream Market: “Golfers” Orbitz (Presented by: Jay Manuel) [Accepted by: Brian Hoyt]
• Interactive: “Scion’s Create-Your-Own-Comic” Toyota Scion (Presented by: Nancy Hill) [Accepted by: Lisa Sherman]
• Outstanding Advertising – Electronic: TIE: (Presented by: Anthony Cirone)”Logo Unbuttoned” Levi’s & “We All Walk In Different Shoes – Nina Poon” Kenneth Cole [Accepted by: Kristen Dykstra]
• Outstanding Advertising – Print: “Will You Marry Me?” ABSOLUT® VODKA (Presented by: Anthony Cirone) [Accepted by: Jeffrey Moran]
• Public Visibility Award: (Presented by: Judith Light and David Mixner) [Accepted by: Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams]
Click here to view all the nominees.
Special thanks to Thomas Evans photography and Peter Lau photography for capturing the event.
Related Posts:Nominees Announced for 1st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising
September 14, 2009
The nominees for the 1st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising presented by Southwest Airlines were announced on Monday.
Corporations like Progressive, Southwest, Wells Fargo, Travelocity and many others will be celebrated for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBT people in marketing and advertising campaigns.
“As with other forms of media, advertising has the power to change hearts and minds,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Companies that promote fair, accurate and inclusive images of the LGBT community in advertising send an important message to their customers, to corporations and to any consumer who sees their ads. We will be recognizing those companies that do just that, and in so doing, set a standard to which other companies may aspire.”
GLAAD will also honor Subaru for the corporation’s longstanding and public commitment to the LGBT consumer, as well as Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams for including LGBT stories in advertising for their company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and for their personal efforts to advocate for LGBT equality.
For a complete list of nominees and ads, please visit www.glaad.org/advertisingawards/nominees.
The 1st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising presented by Southwest Airlines will be held in New York City on October 27, 2009 at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th Street. To purchase tickets for the event, please visit www.glaad.org/advertisingawards.
Related Posts:GLAAD Update on Today’s KRXQ Broadcast
June 11, 2009
Since June 1st, GLAAD has been actively mobilizing its supporters to take action against a highly offensive segment of the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” show, which aired on May 28th. For the past 10 days we have been working collaboratively with like minded organizations and community members on this issue. You can about this joint effort here.
Today, the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” show returned to airwaves with a special broadcast that included two transgender advocates. I was updating my Twitter feed live throughout the entire show.
After the broadcast, GLAAD released a statement on the show, which you can find here.
In our statement, we include quotes from Pam’s House Blend contributor and transgender advocate Autumn Sandeen and Trans Youth Familiy Allies Executive Director Kim Pearson who were featured on the 2.5 hour radio broadcast, without any commercial breaks.
In our statement, Autumn relayed:
I think this is the way we make change – and we don’t mean as individuals, but as a community. Humanity won the day. I think that’s what worked – we all became humans in the same room instead of stereotypes.
Kim also shared the following statement:
It’s not up to me to grant forgiveness or absolution, and people are going to hold their feet to the fire. I think this was a good thing, it was a good forum, it was productive, it was good for everyone listening – but time will tell. It was a good first step, but actions speak louder than words.
After the show, the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” website provided an update with links to both Pam’s House Blend and Trans Youth Family Allies. The broadcast is available for listeners to download here.
Local media outlets in Sacramento have consistently reported on the developments surrounding KRXQ with the most recent stories on today’s show featured in FOX40, The Sacramento Press and The Sacramento Bee.
GLAAD would like to thank new media reporters Autumn Sandeen and Michael Rowe for their crucial coverage on KRXQ, which brought the situation to new audiences and helped it become an educational moment for many.
A larger recap will be prepared tomorrow so please check back later for more updates on this story and others followed by GLAAD.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
KRXQ UPDATE: Tomorrow’s Show and More Advertiser Statements
June 10, 2009
As many know already from reading our previous update, the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” show will begin re-airing on Thursday, June 11. GLAAD will be listening to the show that begins at 10:30AM EST/7:30AM PST. We will be paying close attention to the broadcast.
We have a few more breaking updates to share with you about what to expect tomorrow morning and the ongoing developments with advertisers pulling from the radio station.
People can tune in here to listen to tomorrow’s show featuring Pam’s House Blend contributor and transgender advocate Autumn Sandeen and Trans Youth Families Allies Executive Director Kim Pearson.
Please note the following information:
- The live broadcast will last for 2.5 hours
- There will be no commercial breaks whatsoever during the radio show
- People may call in during the show at the following number: 916-766-1044
- You can follow GLAAD Senior Media Strategist Andy Marra on Twitter during the broadcast @Andy_Marra
- GLAAD will be releasing our statement on GLAADblog.org and GLAAD.org soon after the show
GLAAD reminds its readers to be respectful and civil when calling into the radio station and expressing your views.
In anticipation of tomorrow’s show, GLAAD spoke with its sister organization, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The national organization advocating for safer schools recently released a report titled Harsh Realities that documented the experiences of transgender students in the classroom.
GLSEN wanted us to share their statement that reads:
GLSEN is horrified and outraged by the hateful comments directed at transgender youth made on the ‘Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning Show.’ Such comments are even more reprehensible in light of the fact that more than half of transgender students experience physical harassment in school based on their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression and more than a quarter experience physical assault. We can only hope that Thursday’s show will shed light on the need to make sure that transgender youth are safe in every school.
The Transgender Law Center also issued a statement about tomorrow’s morning that you can find here.
Earlier this afternoon, a GLAAD supporter also provided a tip about UC Davis Health Systems ending their relationship with the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” show. The university’s medical institution released a statement that you can find here and here.
In the statement, UC Davis announced their decision to pull all advertising from the station. They also ended their partnership with the station that annually raises charitable dollars for the Children’s Miracle Network. The Sacramento Bee reported on the latest development immediately following the announcement.
GLAAD also received a statement from Home Depot clarifying their involvement with KRXQ. 
The statement reads:
The Home Depot is neither a sponsor nor has it committed advertising to this program. However, our ads are occasionally heard on KRXQ as part of a national radio buy. We have shared your feedback about the morning program with the network and the station directly, and have asked them to look more closely at where our ads are running to ensure they are in accordance with our standards.
We have strict guidelines in place to ensure the programs we support reflect the quality of our brand. Our advertising campaigns have one simple objective — to communicate with audiences in the most effective way possible. Feedback from customers like you plays a large role in helping us to maintain these standards.
Thank you for your interest in The Home Depot.
Local advertisers like Sleep Train and Guitar Center issued statements that you can find here and here. The LGBT community in Sacramento has been very active in leading efforts to contact local advertisers and urge them to pull their advertising contracts from KRXQ. The Sacramento LGBTQI Leadership Coalition, a local alliance of 15+ organizations has been coordinating on-the-ground efforts related to the radio station.
The coalition provided GLAAD with the following statement about their reasons for mobilizing the community:
The hateful remarks against transgender youth made by two primetime Sacramento radio hosts was shocking and hurtful to members of our city’s vibrant and diverse LGBT community. Gay and transgender youth are at high risk of depression, alcohol and drug abuse and suicide due to homophobic discrimination and abusive environments many face in their schools, homes and among their peers. All in our community feel a deep commitment to doing our best to shelter our LGBT youth to the greatest extent possible from these destructive societal pressures. No child should have to be afraid of being hurt or harassed for simply expressing his or her identity.
Please stay tuned for more details. Please check back with us for updates on this developing story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
UPDATE: Sleep Train and Others Clarify Record on KRXQ Advertising
June 9, 2009
GLAAD has received a few updates about KRXQ and their advertisers. Our extensive coverage on advertisers either pulling or not renewing contracts can be found here.
This update comes after GLAAD spoke with KRXQ yesterday, which you can read about here.
Sleep Train provided GLAAD with the following statement to share with its readers:
Thank you for taking the time to write us regarding the comments made on the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show on KRXQ. Rob, Arnie and Dawn have done a good job endorsing for us for many years. However, this time they went too far. We do not condone their comments in any way and we have made it clear to KRXQ’s management, Rob, Arnie and Dawn that their conduct was unacceptable.
Sleep Train is proud of our history of diversity and the inclusion of all the communities we serve. As a result, we have pulled our ads off of KRXQ until further notice.
We have also received other statements from Red Bull, Hawaiian Airlines and State Farm.
Red Bull sent us a statement addressing their advertising relationship with KRXQ:
Red Bull is not an advertiser on KRQX. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
We also were provided with a statement from Hawaiian Airlines who reportedly received a number of emails this past weekend. The airline states:
Hawaiian Airlines is not an advertiser on the station.
State Farm had a similar statement as Red Bull and Hawaiian Airlines. The company writes:
Thank you for your comments regarding State Farm running advertisements on station KRXQ in Sacramento. We have read your concerns and those of others with similar concerns. We take very seriously each comment we receive.
State Farm has not advertised on KRXQ in 2009. Once this particular show ran, we discovered that the station had not removed our company logo from their website and that mistake has been rectified.
Please stay tuned for more details. Please check back with us for updates on this developing story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
UPDATE: GLAAD Speaks with KRXQ Management
June 8, 2009
For those just now learning about this issue, please go here to read more about this evolving controversy.
At 11:45am EST, Cindi Creager, GLAAD’s Director of National News, and I spoke with the station manager at KRXQ. GLAAD successfully made the case for a transgender person and a parent of a transgender child to appear on the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show. We are right now in the process of securing Trans Youth Family Allies Executive Director Kim Pearson and Pam’s House Blend contributor and transgender advocate Autumn Sandeen for the broadcast.
As yesterday’s statement noted, KRXQ will be airing a special show on Thursday, June 11 at 7:30am PST.
It should be noted that Autumn was one of the very first reporters to shine attention on the May 28th segment alongside Huffington Post blogger Michael Rowe.
KRXQ has assured us that the June 11th follow-up show will be conducted in a “frank and positive manner.” It was explicitly stated to us that we will hear an apology from the radio hosts and listeners will be able to call in. As always, we remind everyone to be respectful and civil when calling into the show.
GLAAD has additionally suggested a transgender media training with our community partners. KRXQ was receptive to the suggestion and we will further discuss this following Thursday’s radio broadcast.
Media have been continuing to follow the story, garnering national coverage. Local media outlets in Sacramento have been especially helpful in covering this story – including The Sacramento Press, FOX40 and The Sacramento Bee. Community blogs have also been extremely effective in sharing updates on this issue and mobilizing readers to take action.
Finally, it should be noted that yet another advertiser has dropped their contract with the station. Guitar Center Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Norman Hajjar, directly reached out to GLAAD following emails from concerned community members.
Norman has provided us with this statement to share with our readers:
Last Thursday, I asked our media agency to speak to KRXQ about the outrageous comments made by their morning on-air team. I wasn’t satisfied with the station’s response. So we decided to pull our dollars from the station.
It’s simple: wrong is wrong. We don’t want our brand associated with such epic insensitivity.
Guitar Center now becomes the 11th confirmed advertiser to pull their contract from KRXQ. You can read more about the others here and here.
Please stay tuned for more details. Please check back with us for updates on this developing story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
UPDATE: KRXQ Radio Host Rob Williams Declares Failure
June 7, 2009
I received a tip from a GLAADblog follower about a statement posted by KRXQ radio host Rob Williams who owns the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” show. At 11:50am PST, Williams issued a statement about their May 28 segment where Rob and Arnie made offensive remarks against transgender children. They refused to apologize on a follow-up show.
The statement comes after a week of turmoil for the radio station. On June 1, GLAAD issued a Call to Action that mobilized hundreds of people to contact the radion station and voice their concerns. You can read more about that here and here.
Huffington Post blogger Michael Rowe and Pam’s House Blend contributor Autumn Sandeen were key reporters regularly following the issue. Their crucial coverage and GLAAD’s Call to Action resulted in a flurry of media pick-up. Concerned community members also began to contact companies and urge them to pull their advertising contracts from KRXQ. I then ended up fielding emails and calls from companies who wanted GLAAD to post and distribute their statements to either pull or not renew advertising on the radio station due to the offensive broadcast. You can read more about that here.
GLAAD received an email on Friday, June 5 at 5:28pm EST from KRXQ station management indicating a desire to speak with us about a possible resolution for their defamatory and dehumanizing remarks. We were told that KRXQ would call us on Monday, June 8 to hear their proposal. Then radio host Rob posts a statement on the incident.
GLAAD looks forward to hearing from KRXQ management and their proposal of concrete assurances that will rectify their previous coverage on transgender children. GLAAD will continue to consult with our partners on this issue to ensure the community is well-represented when speaking to KRXQ.
Stay tuned for more details. Please check back with us for updates on this developing story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
Rob Williams Statement:
UPDATED JUNE 7TH, 2009, 11:50AM
TO OUR LOYAL ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN FOLLOWERS,
WE HAVE FAILED YOU. AS A SHOW, AS PEOPLE, AS BROADCASTERS, WE HAVE SIMPLY FAILED ON ALMOST EVERY LEVEL.
WE PRESENTED OUR OPINIONS ON A VERY SENSITIVE SUBJECT IN A HATEFUL, CHILDISH AND CRUDE FASHION; AND THEN, GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETRACT THOSE REMARKS, WE DEFENDED THEM.
SINCE THEN, YOU, OUR LOYAL LISTENERS, HAVE MADE IT CLEAR TO US THAT WE WENT TOO FAR. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. NONE OF YOU SAID THAT WE COULDN’T HAVE OPINIONS, YET SO MANY OF YOU SAID THAT THE WAY WE GAVE THEM CROSSED THE LINE. FURTHER, YOU SAID THAT OUR ATTEMPT TO MASK OUR COMMENTS AS “JOKES THAT WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD BY OUR AUDIENCE,” WAS UNACCEPTABLE. I WOULD SAY NOW THAT IT WAS WORSE THAN THAT, IT WAS COWARDLY. YOU HAVE MADE THAT CLEAR.
WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO VARIOUS GROUPS AND ASKED FOR A CHANCE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT; TO RESPOND, WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION, TO THE EDUCATION THAT OUR AUDIENCE HAS PROVIDED US. THAT OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN GRACIOUSLY GRANTED THIS THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 11TH. AT 7:30 A.M.
THE WORD APOLOGY APPEARS NO WHERE IN THIS LETTER FOR A REASON. WE ALREADY HID FROM DOING THE RIGHT THING ONCE AND WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN. APOLOGIZING IN A WRITTEN, POSTED STATEMENT IS A FORM OF COWARDICE. WE WILL SAY WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID THIS THURSDAY.
ON A FINAL, PERSONAL NOTE, AS THE LEADER AND OWNER OF THE SHOW, I HAVE MADE THE DECISION THAT WE NEED TO REFRAIN FROM BROADCASTING NEW EPISODES UNTIL WE CAN ADDRESS THIS ON THURSDAY . WE WILL RETURN TO THE AIR AT 7:30 A.M. JUNE 11TH.
ROB WILLIAMS
ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN
UPDATE: McDonald’s Is 10th Company to Pull KRXQ Advertising
June 5, 2009
GLAAD just posted a recap of its activity relating to KRXQ and its offensive comments against transgender children. The summary also included a statement from AT&T announcing their decision to pull its advertising from the radio station. You can find all of that plus recent media coverage here.
Minutes after posting our recap, I received an email from McDonald’s at 9:17pm EST. Soon after I spoke with a member of the McDonald’s Public Relations team who wanted us to post and distribute their statement.
McDonald’s wrote:
McDonald’s has a proud legacy of diversity and inclusion. The views expressed by the hosts are not consistent with our core values.
As such, we are in the process of withdrawing advertising from KRXQ until further notice.
McDonald’s USA LLC, Pacific Sierra Region
The global fast food chain now becomes the tenth company to either retract or to not renew its advertising contract with KRXQ.
The entire listing of companies include:
- Chipotle
- Snapple
- Sonic
- Bank of America
- Verizon
- Carl’s Jr (CKE Restaurants)
- Wells Fargo
- Nissan North America
- AT&T
- McDonald’s
We continue urging people to voice their concerns with the radio station. Information can be found here.
Stay tuned for more details. Please check back with us for updates on this developing story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
UPDATE: KRXQ Confronted By Advertisers, Media and Community
June 5, 2009
On May 28, the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” show aired a highly offensive segment that caused a lot of shock and disgust. GLAAD sprung into action and has been working full force on this incident. I thought a recap would be in order for those interested in the story’s evolution.
Radio hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States spent more than 30 minutes making crude and dehumanizing comments promoting child abuse against transgender children. It began when they discussed a story about an Omaha family supporting their transgender child and her transition.
Put off like we were? You can directly voice your concerns to the radio hosts by following this link.
The radio station finally called us back after we issued our first Call to Action. According to the station, hundreds of letters poured in from all throughout the country and even around the world. The station promised Rob and Arnie would respond to their offensive segment.
Dawn Rossi
GLAAD also spoke with with radio host Dawn Rossi who defended transgender people on the highly problematic segment.
On their follow-up show (scroll down on their site), Rob and Arnie failed to apologize for their remarks. GLAAD re-issued our Call to Action (which currently remains active, with constituents still writing in).
That’s when media started to take notice. Outlets like The Huffington Post, PerezHilton.com, The Sacramento Bee, FOX40, Instinct (here and here) and many more started to take a closer look at the show.
So did lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates. Constituents frustrated over the segment and the hosts’ failure to apologize took it upon themselves to make their voices heard. Social networking tools like Facebook were – and still are – being used to contact KRXQ advertisers.
Chipotle announced it had pulled its advertising contract, and Snapple and Sonic followed suit. You can read more about that here.
But today, on June 5, we fielded a massive amount of communication between advertisers and media.
First, Bank of America contacted us to announce they were withdrawing all advertising and provided us with their statement explaning their reasons why. Verizon and the Carl’s Jr. restaurant chain were soon to follow – you can find their statements here.
This afternoon, we received phone calls and emails from Wells Fargo and Nissan. Both companies had statements they wanted GLAAD to distribute.
At 7:29pm EST, we received yet another statement to distribute.
This time it came from AT&T.
AT&T wrote:
The matter was brought to our attention and we have pulled our advertising from the station.
As I write this post, nine companies have now sent GLAAD statements. And all of them have either announced a decision to completely withdraw or not renew advertising contracts with KXRQ because of their offensive radio segment.
Because of GLAAD urging people to contact the station and those who have taken action by contacting advertisers, media have also extensively covered this developing story. The Associated Press, The Advocate, The Sacramento Bee, FOX 40 and others have reported on advertisers withdrawing support from the radio station.
The pressure seems to have caused a stir at the radio station. Today at 5:28pm EST, we received an email from the General Manager promising a phone call this Monday with a possible resolution.
Until then, we continue urging people to voice their concerns with the radio station.
Stay tuned for more details. Please check back with us for updates on this developing story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
UPDATE: Nissan Won’t Renew KRXQ Advertising Contract
June 5, 2009
On May 28, KRXQ radio hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States spent more than 30 minutes making dehumanizing and defamatory comments against transgender children. You can listen to the original broadcast here since it appears the audio is no longer available on radio show’s website.
Seven companies have confirmed they pulled their advertising contracts with KRXQ or will not renew in the future as a result of offensive comments made by the two shock jocks. Another company has decided to step forward and release a statement on the incident.
At 5:10pm, I received a phone call from Nissan North America. I spoke with the Director of Corporate Communications who wanted to provide GLAAD with the following statement on their advertising with KRXQ.
Nissan North America’s statement reads:
Nissan does not support the views expressed during the May 28th broadcast on the Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning show on KRXQ.
Our advertising purchase with this show ended June 1 and we will not renew it.
Currently the list of companies no longer advertising on KRXQ includes:
- Chipotle
- Snapple
- Sonic
- Bank of America
- Verizon
- Carl’s Jr (CKE Restaurants)
- Wells Fargo
- Nissan North America
Please check back with us for more developments on this story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
UPDATE: Wells Fargo Stands By Transgender Community
June 5, 2009
Today, GLAAD has received confirmations from three different companies pulling their advertising contracts from KRXQ. Bank of America, Verizon and Carl’s Jr have all publicly issued statements (here and here) that announced the pulling of their advertisements on the radio station as a result of the offensive comments made by radio hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States.
At 4:51pm EST, Wells Fargo reached out to GLAAD about KRXQ. Apparently, the radio station had placed Wells Fargo’s logo on their website leading people to believe they were current KRXQ advertisers.
Wells Fargo provided the following statement to GLAAD on the issue:
Thank you for your message. We appreciate your feedback and take such matters seriously.
We are strongly committed to equality for all and we do not tolerate discrimination. When we learned of the inappropriate comments made during the May 28th KXRQ broadcast we immediately removed our logo from the radio station’s Web site.
Wells Fargo was not an advertiser on the May 28 broadcast, is not currently advertising with KXRQ, and has not done so for more than a year.
We’re proud of our commitment of supporting many organizations that serve our diverse communities – which is consistent with our company values.
We very much appreciate your comments.
Diversity is at the core of Wells Fargo’s vision and values and Wells Fargo is honored to be on DiversityInc Magazine’s Top 50 list for 2009.
Thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to our attention.
Wells Fargo Communications
The list of companies no longer advertising on KRXQ includes:
- Chipotle
- Snapple
- Sonic
- Bank of America
- Verizon
- Carl’s Jr (CKE Restaurants)
- Wells Fargo
Please check back with us for more developments on this story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
Kick-Off Reception for Advertising Media Program
May 8, 2009
GLAAD is gearing up for the official start of our Advertising Media Program and we have an exciting reception planned to kick-off the program on Monday, May 18, 2009. During the launch event, GLAAD will provide an overview of our advocacy work in advertising as well as honor Levi’s Brand and Wells Fargo for their commitment to LGBT-inclusive ads.
The launch reception will be held Monday, May 18, 2009 at the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio (405 West 55th St, New York, NY). We hope you can join in what will be a great networking opportunity for LGBT advertising and marketing professionals! Click here to buy tickets for just $25!
We’ve already started our anti-defamation work in advertising – as reported last week on glaadBLOG, GLAAD successfully advocated that a Virginia used car company pull offensive ads that referred to same-sex flirting as “not smart” from the airwaves and their Web site.
Leveraging GLAAD’s media advocacy and anti-LGBT defamation resources, GLAAD’s Advertising Media Program will monitor all forms of advertising and work to ensure fair and accurate representations of the LGBT community or demand action when defamation occurs. GLAAD will also proactively advance inclusion of the LGBT community in mainstream advertising through advocacy work at advertising agencies and corporate advertising departments. The Program will maintain the online library formerly owned by Commercial Closet Association of over 4,000 LGBT-inclusive ads.
The GLAAD staff, GLAAD Board or Directors and President Neil G. Giuliano recently rang the NASDAQ closing bell and spoke about the upcoming program as well as the estimated $712 billion in buying power of the LGBT community.
And see coverage of GLAAD closing NASDAQ on CNBC, Bloomberg, and FOX Business News.
To celebrate the launch of the program, GLAAD will honor Levi’s Brand and Wells Fargo with Special Recognition Awards.
Levi’s Brand won the 2008 Images in Advertising Award for Outstanding Commercial for a commercial which depicts a young male pulling on a pair of Levi’s jeans as the street below him comes crashing through his floor, leaving him face-to-face with an attractive stranger in a nearby telephone booth. The two men walk off while holding hands. Levi’s has had a long involvement with the LGBT community as exemplified by the “Support of Gay Marriage” campaign, the “Inside Out” campaign and the recent “Logo Unbuttoned” campaign.
Levi’s ads perpetuate the company’s history of LGBT inclusive business practices and marketing outreach. In 1992, Levi Strauss & Co. became the first Fortune 500 company to extend full benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of employees.
Wells Fargo has consistently supported the LGBT community by being one of the first financial institutions to reach out to the community with targeted advertising and sponsorship of LGBT causes and organizations. Wells Fargo has a long standing commitment to speak to our community through advertising for not only financial related products but also in company recruiting and fostering an inclusive workplace. As a result of its long standing support to LGBT causes, anti-gay activists initiated a boycott of Wells Fargo in 2005. In spite of anti-gay activists, the company remains a strong ally to our community.
Tickets for the reception are $25 and will be credited to tickets for the Fall 2009 Advertising Awards. They can be purchased at www.glaad.org/events. Sponsors of the event include ABSOLUT® VODKA, DRAFTFCB, Levi’s Brand and Wells Fargo. Media partners include Gay City News, PinkBananaMedia.com and TheMenEvent.com.
New TV Ad for Marriage in Iowa
April 22, 2009
This morning, One Iowa released a new TV ad in support of marriage for all Iowa families.
From One Iowa:
Today, One Iowa launched this ad to start a conversation with Iowans about the Supreme Court decision that brought marriage equality to the heartland. We can’t take this victory for granted. Right now our opponents are working hard to reverse the decision. They are well-funded and well-organized. We need your help NOW to keep this positive ad on the air and protect marriage in the heartland. Whether its $5 or $500, your contribution is vital to protect this victory!
Camilla Taylor, Lambda Legal attorney and lead architect of the Varnum v Brien case, said in One Iowa’s press release:
“This ad beautifully illustrates how the Iowa Constitution’s guarantee of equality for same-sex couples and their families is consistent with Iowa’s long tradition of independence and fair treatment for all families.”
Out Avon Rep Star of Superbowl Ad
January 30, 2009
There will be at least one out LGBT person featured during the highly-anticipated Superbowl commercials on Sunday. Daryn DeZengotita of Dallas is one of five Avon sales representatives chosen to serve as the “faces of Avon.”
The ads will serve as recruitment vehicles to interest other women in selling the Avon product. “They wanted to tell people that if you’re worried about [the downturn] in the economy and are looking for a way to make extra money, now is the perfect time to become an Avon representative,” DeZengotita, an eight-year Avon veteran told the Dallas Voice.
The commercial is expected to be the second commercial spot after Jennifer Hudson — who is also a spokeswoman for Avon — sings the National Anthem.
“It’s been rumored that it will also run during the halftime show. But I have been told that isn’t true,” the mother of two sons noted.
Tune in to find out!
KABC TO AIR REJECTED AD FEATURING GAY FAMILY
January 23, 2009
After a meeting with GLAAD and the marriage equality group GetToKnowUsFirst.org, Los Angeles station KABC-TV announces it will air a gay-inclusive ad it rejected airing on inauguration day. Gay families are part of the KABC family and this is not an issue that is controversial, says KABC President and General Manager.
Los Angeles television station KABC announced today, following a meeting with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the marriage equality group GetToKnowUsFirst.org, that it would begin to air an ad from GetToKnowUsFirst.org in primetime as early as Sunday, Jan. 25. The ABC-owned television station came under fire for refusing to air the ad during Tuesday’s inaugural coverage, for what a KABC ad exec cited at the time as “a very controversial topic” to air during “programming that will include large family audiences.”
“We are pleased that KABC was willing to meet and discuss this serious issue with us so quickly,” said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano, “and that this important message about our families will be seen by KABC’s audiences in the days and weeks to come.”
The 30-second ad initially rejected by KABC features two married African American men raising five children ages 6 to 25. However, the ad was broadcast before, during and after the inauguration in 42 of California’s 58 counties, where Proposition 8 garnered the majority of the vote. In Los Angeles, the ad appeared on NBC’s owned-and-operated affiliate KNBC.
KABC President and General Manger Arnold J. Kleiner attended today’s meeting where GetToKnowUsFirst.org Project Coordinator John Ireland and GLAAD Director of Entertainment Media Damon Romine advocated that the inclusive ad be scheduled in future programming. Kleiner explained that, independent of the GetToKnowUsFirst.org’s ad, the station had made a decision that during the inauguration they would not air any advocacy advertising, regardless of the content or subject matter.
“I regret that the decision to not air the ad was communicated in a way that was misleading and inaccurate, and I apologize for the misunderstanding that resulted,” said Kleiner. “Having seen the ads, we believe these spots are suitable for airing during any daypart on our schedule. Gay and lesbian families are part of our KABC family, and issues of equality are certainly not a controversial subject for us.”
GetToKnowUsFirst.org’s Ireland expressed satisfaction with the meeting’s outcome. “The point of airing the ad on KABC during the inauguration was to reach the broadest, most diverse audience possible, and that moment has sadly passed and cannot be re-created,” said Ireland. “We are grateful that KABC has taken our concerns seriously and further clarified their initial decision. Mr. Kleiner has assured us that he will find high-profile positions to air the ad during the coming weeks.”
The ad’s first airing on KABC is currently scheduled during Sunday’s new two-hour episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” a program that regularly ranks among the top 10 series on television. Check out the ad here:
