Ten more companies say 'no' to Glenn Beck

Today we're announcing that ten more companies have made sure their ads won't run on Glenn Beck's program:

Adding to an increasing list of companies distancing themselves from Fox News Channel's Glenn Beck, ten new companies whose ads were recently seen during Beck's program--Applebee's, Bank of America, Bell & Howell, DirecTv, General Mills, Kraft, Regions Financial Corporation, SAM (Store and Move), Travelers Insurance and Vonage--have pledged to take steps to ensure that their ads don't run on Beck's show. Forty-six companies have now committed not to support Beck's show since ColorOfChange.org launched its campaign three weeks ago after the Fox News Channel host called President Obama a "racist" who "has a deep-seated hatred for white people" during an appearance on Fox & Friends.

Three of the latest defections--Travelers Insurance, Bell & Howell and DirecTv--join the list of advertisers who claim to have already placed Glenn Beck's program on a "do not air" list, but whose ads have been seen on Beck's program, apparently against their wishes.

"We could not be happier with the results of our campaign so far," said James Rucker, Executive Director of ColorOfChange.org. "All 46 companies that have distanced themselves from Glenn Beck should be applauded for their stance."

"We are still reaching out to companies whose ads we see during Beck's nightly program," Rucker continued. "Based on the fact that many of the recent ads on Beck's program are for gold coins and News Corp properties, it looks like Fox News Channel is struggling to place advertisements on Beck's show."

Over 170,000 people have now signed our petition to Glenn Beck's advertisers, and it's working.

Here are statements from the new companies distancing themselves from Beck:

"As mentioned before, Applebee's regularly evaluates where our advertising appears," said Miles McMillin, a spokesperson for Applebee's Services, Inc., in an email to ColorOfChange.org. "We strive to reach our diverse group of consumers in many different advertising venues. We do advertise in programming where various opinions are debated as we believe discussion about issues important to our country is very valuable. We expect this discussion to be respectful. As also pointed out earlier, we have not purchased advertising time on the Glenn Beck show specifically. However, at this time, we have asked that our advertising that appears on FOX News not be included on the Glenn Beck program."

In an email conversation with ColorOfChange.org, Joseph L. Goode, Senior Vice-President of Global Media Relations for Bank of America, confirmed that a statement posted on MediaMatters.org [http://mediamatters.org/blog/200908250014] was authentic and that any advertisement placed on the Glenn Beck Program was an error and they would take steps to correct it.

"We don't advertise on Glenn Beck's show anymore," said Charlie Sahner, a spokesperson for Vonage, in an email to ColorOfChange.org.

"I can confirm the authenticity of the statement published on http://jenkinsear.com/2009/08/20/kraft-foods-drops-glenn-beck/", said Valerie Moens, Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs for Kraft Foods Inc., in an email to ColorOfChange.org. "Kraft Foods has made the decision to stop advertising on the more politically extreme programs on all networks. In recent years, there has been a proliferation of shows with extreme content, including on the political front. These shows often are controversial and do not align with our company or brand values. That's why we have made the decision to stop advertising on the more politically extreme programs on all networks."

"We're not an advertiser, that I can tell you," said Tom Forsythe, Vice-President of Corporate Communications for General Mills, in a phone conversation with ColorOfChange.org. "It's not necessarily in response to your campaign. The action has much more to do with the content of the program...Upon hearing your request, I made sure that that was true. But it should have already been true because of the nature of the show."

In an email to ColorOfChange.org, Jon Gieselman, Senior Vice-President of Advertising and Public Relations for DirecTV, Inc., confirmed that their ads should not be running on Glenn Beck's program. "We have actually not purchased national advertising from Fox News during his show since August 3rd, and right now we don't have plans to purchase media in the future," Gieselman said. "We have already clarified our position with Fox News."

"To be clear, the Glenn Beck program has never been part of our advertising effort," said Frank Colangelo, Director of Advertising Research for Travelers Insurance, in an email to ColorOfChange.org. "Any Travelers advertisements that ran during that program in the past were due to commercial placement mistakes by Fox News. In fact we have a standing "no buy" policy with regard to the program and we have confirmed that fact with Fox News."

"We've discontinued our advertising on this program and don't plan to resume," said Scott M. Peters, Chief Marketing Officer for Regions Financial Corporation, in an email to ColorOfChange.org.

"Our company, SAM (Store and Move) has complied with your request and "The Glenn beck" show has been put on the "do not air" list for SAM," said Nicole Henkel, a spokesperson for SAM (Store and Move), in an email to ColorOfChange.org.

"While our distributor controls advertising, we have no plans for ads on this [Glenn Beck's] program," said Hank D'Ambrosio, Vice-President of Administration for Bell & Howell, in an email to ColorOfChange.org. "As I said to you in our conversation and reiterated in my conversation with our distributor, in our 102 year history, Bell and Howell has never been involved in politics or in anything that could be construed as discriminatory in any way and never will."

We're going to continue monitoring ads on Glenn Beck's show, reaching out to his remaining sponsors, and making sure that none of those that dropped Beck resume advertising on his show.

Thanks again for being a part of this campaign -- we couldn't do it without you.

UPDATE: Fox tries to deny, fails

In response to our announcement today, Fox tried to push back on the story, telling the L.A. Times that some of the companies announced in our press release never in fact ran ads on Beck's show:

[Updated at 2:15 p.m .: According to a Fox News spokeswoman, the network has not run Bank of America ads during Beck's show, so any spot for the bank that aired during his program would have been a local cable purchase. In addition, the network said that Bell & Howell was and SAM (Store and Move) were never Fox News advertisers.]

Media Matters posted video of a Bank of America ad running on Beck's show. As for Store and Move, a Fox News spokeswoman had to backtrack, telling the L.A. Times that SAM did in fact run ads on Fox:

[Updated at 3 p.m.: SAM (Store and Move) is indeed a Fox News advertiser, a network spokeswoman clarifies. The company buys ads under the name Unigroup.]

Woops.

Finally, we know that Bell & Howell ran ads for Silver Sonic XL on Beck's show -- here's the video of an ad running on his show July 24th:

Comments

[iris1850]

Obama went to a church for years that spouted racist rhetoric, he hired Van Jones who has accused whites of deliberately trying to poison minorities, so why is it so strange that someone would come to the conclusion that Obama may hold anomosity or hatred toward whites. He may or may not be right about that, but it is a logical conclusion especially when Obama has never really ever explained why he would associate with these type of people in the first place. It definitely is worth a discussion among the American public. Censuring Glenn Beck because he came to this conclusion instead of holding Obama accountable for these things makes no sense to me. When you get the answers from Obama first, then we can discuss Glenn Beck's position

[Cheryl2]

To all of you that feel that Beck's right to free speech is being trampled on: No one is stopping him from saying whatever he wants, but the public and advertisers do not have to support what he says. If advertisers choose not to support what he says they are exercising their right to free speech too.

[OOOOOMY]

Your exuberance for the cause you are exhibiting I applaud. As Americans we can I hope we can agree to disagree
I lived through some very turbulent political times I was young once full of ideals and passions Vietnam the protests, the Chicago Republican Convention riots SDS Weatherman Underground Timothy Leary and LSD Pot filled the air with the smell of Flowers San Francisco Woodstock Kent State University sit ins

What I am feeling now is an insidious well thought out socialization of my America there is something brewing in the transformation of what my country was and where it appears headed today I scared and do not like what I see nor do millions upon millions of us I want my liberty My Freedom My Values and My Character and My Country back
This is America No other country on Earth has given so much too so many with their lives. From the Revolution The Civil War All the world wars Do not let those who have died be a distant memory Let us build bridges, not walls...no­t divide and conquer...­Help the truly needy with tools for life, not bought and used as pawns Unite and make positive changes. Do not hide from debate/questions that may be asked Welcome them The Truth Shall Set You Free
Richard
Are you not very lucky to be living in a country and able to express ideas not stifle attack and suppress any and all who may hold differing passions?

[dynwit]

It's not "your" America, it's "our" America. A majority of us voted Barack Obama into office, and so it remains "our" America. No one stole the election. It was a genuine, democratic election in which actual Americans chose to change the path of the nation away from the destructive, selfish, arrogant direction we had taken over the past decade. Thus, you have absolutely no reason to say such ridiculous things like "I want my liberty My freedom My values and My Character and My Country back." No one has taken any of those things away from you. The simple fact is that a majority of Americans no longer stand next to you. You are now in the minority. Too bad for you, but that's the way it works in a free nation. Deal with it.

[NoSillyName]

I was also young once, but I don't get your point. What the heck are you so worried about?

You were young & idealistic once upon a time and now you've become a scared republican?

You believe all the insane BS from the wackos?

What?!

[BurkeBoylan]

Glenn Beck lost Applebees!? That's gotta hurt. Now he'll have to start paying for his meals.

[mrskorn]

Who eats at Applebees anyway....­I thought they were gone.

[nicole44]

Where was the boycott of Kanye West when he publicly stated infront of millions that Bush doesnt like black people?
Beck and West are BOTH entertainers. Beck never claimed to be a straight news caster, his is an opinion based show, he repeatedly states his politcal affiliation (no straight news reporters do that). The reason there was no boycott is because Bush is a repub and BO is a dem. Hypocrisy, plain and simple.

[mrskorn]

Nicole, come on. That doesnt' MATTER! Only when the right does something is it called out. Besides the left is okay with suppression of speech if it is about them. Hypocrisy is exactly the word to use.

But don't worry. Beck is not going anywhere, lol. Too many people are watching and listening.

[BurkeBoylan]

You are constitutionally dishonest. I feel sorry for you.

[BurkeBoylan]

Quit whining. Religious wingnuts like Beck invented boycotting. Glenn Beck is broadcasting on PUBLIC airwaves. This is a privilege, not a right.

[nicole44]

I'm sorry, does "quit whining" translate to "stop pointing out hypocrisy" in your world? These are same situations with different results. Boycotting is the most rediculous thing I can think of (w/ extreme exeptions) it takes money out of the innocent workers' pockets that goes to feed their children and hurts innocent people, not the CEO's. Do you REALLY think that the rich corporate owners will suffer any financial difficulty? Boycotting only screws your fellow Americans and hurts the economy more.

[marzell holmes]

Um, ever heard of the Dixie Chicks? Ask them about your imaginary double standard.

[ydrittmann]

Kanye stated that Bush doesn't CARE about black people during a show that had no advertising.
You and I know that Beck is not a newscaster, convince his followers.

[byanymedianecessary]

Why would I boycott something that I agree with? I have boycotted Kanye for his degrading song "Make Her Say" but as far as what he said about Hurricane Katrina, I stand behind him. If you're so concerned why don't YOU boycott? That's how it works. Boycotting is a tool for standing up for what YOU believe in. People who disagree with Glenn Beck are voting with their feet and their pocketbooks. That's how a freemarket works, or do we only play that game when the free market is manipulated to favor only the rich and the right?

[sjfinfan]

Oh believe me pat a I have no interest in blowing anything up your skirt....F­ree speech is just that ,,the right to say what you think without fear of retaliation,,,Glean Beck says what he thinks and all of a sudden the left is running to hurt him economically,,,Why didn't you guys get behind the officer when Obama said the whole department acted stupidly,,,because of the double standard thats why,,,,Many on the left spew a msg of hate daily but are they held accounable ?? As the other person said this whole thing has back fired ,,,more people are tuning in and hearing the truth for a change,,,not from a socialist point but from an American point of view

[Shotgun Mary]

Glen Beck is not an American, he is a Mormon.

[Craig Orrell]

So Mormons cant be Americans?

[ydrittmann]

Free speech is only protected from being challenged by the government. Citizens may choose not to patronize Glenn Beck's advertisers. Some citizen's on the right chose to boycott the Dixie Chicks over saying that they were embarrassed Bush was from Texas. Progressives didn't invent this game.

[creolechild]

Socialists­...where?.­..what channels? when?...

Dang, why didn't I know about this sooner. I didn't know there were here already. I miss all the fun stuff.

SIGH...

[BethS]

Define American.

[gs-425]

Too bad his ratings are banging off all time highs. Over 3 million last night. Geico misplayed that one.

[BurkeBoylan]

Even with Rusty as a guest and the cult of Sarah urged to tune in Glenn Beck got pummeled by Fox's:

Octomom: The Incredible Unseen Footage - 4.17 million viewers.

[PatA]

Sure, Beck has freedom of speech.
Just as I have the freedom to be a member of ColorOfChange and work really hard with them encouraging companies to not advertise on Mr. Beck's show.
So don't try blowing smoke up my skirt on the "freedom of speech of Glenn Beck"....o­kay?

[yankees]

With all this attention Beck had the second highest rated program last night. This boycott has backfired. why can't we just ignore him and maybe he'll go away. The important item in these ratings is the amount of younger viewers he is picking up.
Let's take all this energy and pump up advertising the other cable stations.

[byanymedianecessary]

It doesn't matter how many people are watching if they aren't making money off of it. Ratings are only useful to make money from advertisers as far as networks are concerned. As for those of you who think boycotting is somehow unconstitutional, read some of the enlightened people above that note very clearly that free speech is only protected in so far as interference by the government. No one from the FCC is taking Beck off the air, the public is responding by mobilizing corporate pressure to hold OUR airwaves accountable to the public interest. Glenn Beck can say whatever he wants, but so long as they are on public airwaves, we don't have to put up with it.

[classicalgeek]

Thank you for your wonderful work. If we keep up the pressure, we can remove support for all the liars who present their opinions as news rather than commentary, and those who present their opinions as commentary rather than insane ranting. It's just not the American way to allow liars and hatemongers to form public opinion.

[Eykis]

Thanks. Fanned and faved.

[AddyGmom]

Good for you and your organization, Mr. Rucker. Anything to take the wind out of the sails of the right wing pettifoggery . Thanks.

[tucsoncindy]

As a member of ColorOfChange.org I would like to thank the recent advertisers for pulling their ads from the Glenn Beck show. As an American Citizen I appreciate your stance on racism and extremist
opinions that preach fear and hatred against our own Citizens. As Americans we are all struggling to keep our -selves afloat. Your actions have confirmed ,in my opinion, that there is still hope for the working class. Once again thank you for your actions.

[LillyDePlume]

Thanks to Color of Change for their work; I was pleasantly surprised at the results.

[adrian nyu]

Mr. Beck,

You've had plenty of opportunities to apologize for your outrageous statement about President Obama, but instead, you drew attention to yourself and your island of hate, groundless attacks, outrageous, hate filled claims. But you kept expressing your rights to free speech, which by all means, we all support, but sir, corporations, Americans have rights too, a right to demand media responsibility and hold people accountable, and Again, Corporations, businesses are not obligated to buy add space on your show, especially when your message is so divisive and extreme...­congratula­tions Mr. Beck! Now go to the radio please...w­ho the hell cares about the radio...ha­ve at it, but beware...W­ATCH WHAT YOU SAY, TAKE RESPONSIBLITY, BECAUSE THE MARKET PLACE CAN TURN ON YOU IN A SECOND, BUT HEY THAT'S CAPITILISM.

[John14 6]

If you go to the Color of Change website, colorofchange.orgg) you will see that is isn’t only Obama with the “deep-seated hatred” of whites. The site itself is loaded with racist language and condemnation of any who disagree with the communist/socialist cause. They even claim that Beck’s tone is so vile that he should lose his First Amendment rights. “Be removed from the air” is liberalspeak for that process.

[ydrittmann]

Once again, no one has the right under the first amendment to be on television. A citizen haas the right to speak without retaliation from his government. Other citizens may legally avoid him if they diagree enough with his views. Read the 1st amendment. CONGRESS shall make no law..

[Poorsarah]

The advertisers are dropping Beck because he is not reporting the news in an objective and truthful manner. Yes, our country has freedom of speech; but, if someone uses freedom of speech to fearmonger/lie to people...I will always disagree with lies no matter what news station they happen to be on. It is showing integrity for advertisers to drop any reporter that resorts to lying.