FAUXMERCIAL #7
DATE: August 23, 2007
TO: Proctor & Gamble
ADDRESS: husted.a@pg.comMs. Angie Husted
Media Relations, Charmin
Proctor & Gamble
Viewers have noticed that promos for CHARMIN have been using Handel's HALLELUJAH CHORUS as background music [e.g. Cable TV, Aug 22, 2007]. While this music may help promote your product to some people, the use of a great sacred work in commercial advertising is highly offensive to others. We do not understand why any advertiser would seek to alienate viewers in this way. We have posted this example of a FAUXMERCIAL on our website which receives thousand of hits from music lovers and we ask you to withdraw your commercial from the media. The use of "Hallelujah" ( which means literally 'praise be to God') without respect for its meaning is for Christians and Jews a violation of the commandment not to take the name of God in vain. Its use in your context shows a lack of taste and understanding. Would you promote feminine hygiene products with Schubert's Ave Maria? We look forward to reporting a positive response from your company.RESULT
No written response was received by CQ Press from Proctor & Gamble. However, the background music was changed to Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra. The number of Zoroastrians likely to be offended is probably minimal. Voicing a complaint does work! One of our correspondents did receive the following from P & G.
"From: P&G Consumer Relations Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 Thanks for contacting P&G. I'm glad you wrote. Thanks for sharing your reaction to our Charmin ad. We're sorry you found it offensive. That certainly isn't our intention. Your comments are important and will help us determine future advertising campaigns. You can be sure I'm sharing your feedback with the rest of our team. Thanks for getting in touch with us! Amy Charmin Team."
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