Walmart, CVS, Best Buy Ditch Glenn Beck (Plus Five More Companies)

Cross-posted at Jack and Jill Politics, Firedoglake, and Daily Kos.

Big news today. We've confirmed that eight more major advertisers have pulled their support from Glenn Beck's show -- Wal-Mart, Best Buy, CVS, Travelocity, Allergan (maker of Restasis), Ally Bank, Broadview Security, and Re-Bath.

Overall, twenty advertisers have now ended their support of Beck. We're going to keep the pressure on Beck's remaining advertisers this week, and we'll let you know how you can help.

From the press release we're sending right now:

Eight more Glenn Beck advertisers, including Wal-Mart -- the world's largest retailer -- have confirmed to ColorOfChange.org that they pulled their ads from the controversial Fox News Channel broadcaster's eponymous show. Allergan (maker of Restasis), Ally Bank (a unit of GMAC Financial Services), Best Buy, Broadview Security, CVS, Re-Bath, Travelocity and Wal-Mart join the dozen other companies who previously distanced themselves from Beck.

Twenty companies have pulled their ads from Beck's show in just the last two weeks. The moves come after the Fox News host called President Obama a "racist" who "has a deep-seated hatred for white people" during an appearance on Fox & Friends. Previous companies who pulled their ads include ConAgra, GEICO, Lawyers.com, Men's Wearhouse, Procter & Gamble, Progressive Insurance, RadioShack, Roche, SC Johnson, Sanofi-Aventis, Sargento, and State Farm Insurance.

"We are heartened to see so many corporate citizens step up in support of our campaign against Glenn Beck," said James Rucker, executive director of ColorOfChange.org. "Their action sends a clear a message to Glenn Beck: Broadcasters shouldn't abuse the privilege they enjoy by spewing dangerous and racially charged hate language over the air. No matter their political affiliation, hate language doesn't belong in our national dialogue."

"Walmart [sic] today confirmed the retailer pulled ads from the Glenn Beck show on August 3rd," said David Tovar, a spokesperson for Wal-Mart, in an email to ColorOfChange.org.

"While advertising on Fox is part of our communication plan, we had not requested time on Glenn Beck's show specifically," said Carolyn Castel, Vice President of Corporate Communications for CVS Caremark, in an email to ColorOfChange.org. "We have instructed our advertising agency to inform Fox to ensure Glenn Beck's program is not part of our advertising plan."

"Our position is simple," Castel continued. "We support vigorous debate, especially around policy issues that affect millions of Americans, but we expect it to be informed, inclusive and respectful, in keeping with our company's core values and commitment to diversity."

In an email exchange with ColorOfChange.org, Lisa Svac Hawks, Director of Public Relations for Best Buy, stated that any advertisements for Best Buy that were placed on Glenn Beck's show were done so in error. Svac Hawks pledged that Best Buy will correct any mistakes made.

"We did not specifically place our ad on the show," said Amanda Borichevsky, a spokesperson for Travelocity in an email to ColorOfChange.org. "We buy ads in bulk and then they are placed somewhat randomly. However, we have now specifically asked that our ads do not appear during this show."

"We reviewed our commercial schedule, and based on your feedback, we've put any programming featuring Glenn Beck on our "do not air" list," said Aziz Mottiwala, Senior Marketing Manager for Allergan, in an email to ColorOfChange.org. "This means that you will no longer see any Restasis ads during programming featuring Glenn Beck. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention."

"Ally advertises on a broad spectrum of programs to reach our potential customers," said a Customer Care Representative for Ally Bank. "Our advertising is not an endorsement of editorial content on any program. We have ceased to advertise on the Glenn Beck program."

In a phone conversation with Dwayne Sigler, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Broadview Security Systems, Sigler told ColorOfChange.org that Broadview's advertising is bought based on network, not particular programs, but that "given the considerations, we have requested of Fox News not to include us in the rotation that would have our commercials running on Glenn Beck's show."

"...We are no longer airing our commercials on the Glenn Beck Show..." said Mary Beth Mayer, spokesperson for Re-Bath, in a phone message to ColorOfChange.org.

As the list of advertisers who don't want themselves associated with Beck continues to grow, our campaign is also getting major media attention, which helps send a strong message to Fox and to Beck's remaining advertisers. Last week, our campaign was mentioned in several media and advertising industry publications, on MSNBC, in the New York Times, and by Stephen Colbert.

Thanks to everyone who has stepped up and joined this campaign (there are more than 145,000 of you now) -- this wouldn't be possible without your voice. What we've achieved so far is incredible -- it's rare for a campaign directed at a TV show's advertisers to be this successful.

But we won't stop here. We're going to continue reaching out to Beck's remaining advertisers, and we'll keep you informed on how you can help us escalate the pressure.

Comments

[allimo]

What a waste for these companies that they've allowed themselves to be bullied. I've listened to Beck for years and find him to be an innovative communicator with highly useful information and insight. I did notice I can still pick up his book at Wal-Mart, so that's good. Shame for Wal-Mart and the rest that their ads will no longer be available to a huge audience who finds Beck more representative of their views than their own representatives.

[mahonpe]

I looked up bestbuy so that I could get a ballpark price for how much I may get for a tv I need to sell. Then came accross this and am actually amazed that people will actively try and are taking great pleasure in the misfortune that is caused by the actions done against another, because of what was said by someone as thier opinon. The argument that they are a star, and should watch what they say, and should be punished for their words is sicking. Not one person who has responded on both sides of the case, would torlerate it being done to them.
Which one of you people would like to be punished for the comments that you have made? Punished by those people who do not even know you or care to know you they just did not like what it was you said. I have a tought, how about we post our real names/and where we are, and invite a bunch of others judge what we say, allowing them to pick what should be done to us.
Are there anyone out there who is willing to do this, any of you? This is the exact thing almost all are gleefully cackleing on about here, but not one is willing to take on themselves.

[IFTYS]

A reverse boycott is precisely what's taking place.

On Aug. 16, Beck supporter John Hill launched a Web site, DefendGlenn.com. Five days later, the site had recorded 1.9 million visits, racked up 1,033 Twitter followers, and garnered 5,800 user comments on its "Support Wall," Hill says.

"Let your voice be heard! Fight back against the lies and the extremist boycott of Glenn Beck," the site declares.

DefendGlenn.com provides contact information for companies that have pulled their advertising. It also lists and encourages the companies who have stuck with the Beck program.

"We launched DefendGlenn basically just to counter a lot of the distortions and lies that were put out by this group Color of Change, which we saw weren't being countered at all,"

Gee, it looks like Chicago Thug politics don't work in the real world. Right Color of Change???

[attilathehoneycom]

Mr. Rucker - your site ColorofChange.org is now the recipient of the Zirconia Dufus award of the day for promoting racism in America via pressuring advertisers to pull their bucks out of the Glenn Beck show. He is a great American who knows how to call a spade a space. Whoops! You'll take that the wrong way and call me a racist! Explanation for all the PC Bleeding Heart Racists out there, that phrase means: Telling it like it is!
TheColorof­Change.org is fanning the fire of racism in America because without it - there would be a terrific loss of revenue. The insidious poison of the Obama administration is trying it's best to squelch freedom of speech and take away our liberties. Who is more racist than Obama's pastor and friend of 20 years, Jeremiah Wright? hummmmmmm? You aren't worth the time I've spend writing this. Equal rights means that every American has a shot - but it doesn't mean that respect automatically goes with that shot. That is something you must earn and you damn sure haven't earned mine
Best
AttilaTheHoney.com

[brandi wine112]

Boycott those companies who boycott Glenn Beck! These Companies who pull ads applauling the freedom of speech in America forget all American rights to constitution " Freedom of Speech" ( Which our constitution also says Government should not own American business - which is another "Urps my ass" Story) but Let's not forget Obama pushes the "race /racist" button as well when suitable for him. Obama is not good for America. Obama is a Racist in my book. Because of Obama and his rights to "freedom of speech" he called his own grandmother "typical white woman" and dont even get me started on Rev Racist White ! Glenn Beck says it like it is and thats how alot of Americans feel. Keep up the good work Glenn and dont be railroaded by these Advertisers. Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!! those Advertisers who want to "run the show" threats of money talks bullchit walks well that's how I see it "bullies " trying to run your show.. Its Bullchit!

[Citizen4honor]

Man this is not American at all. I can't believe anyone in this blog thinks this is good for America. Where is free speech? Let's be real - Bush was called everything from Hitler to racist to Nazi by most everyone in these blogs. Yet he said it was the right of people to have freedom of speech.

You disagree with Obama and this administration and you are destroyed.

I don't like this at all. Very scary.

[mahonpe]

Yes it is intresting that , those who said horrible mean things about one person do not like having it done. It has been the policy of history not to like your leaders, and be disliked by said leaders if you spoke out.

[hahaney]

You could say anything you wanted from the nearest "Free Speech Zone"

[MNflash]

Glenn baby...Karma...it's a beautiful thing...

[audreyonhuff]

Thanks, Huffington, for keeping us up to date as to which companies to boycott for joining the racist organization Color of Change in violating our constitutional right to free speech. I'll carry the list around so I know what stores to stay out of and what products to not buy. There's two ironies here: 1) I just purchased an HDD recorder so I could time delay all of Glenn Beck's show. I hate missing a single episode. I got it at Walmart - the last purchase I'll ever make there. 2) Obama IS a racist. How can people be so blind? He won't even acknowledge his own white side. "Color of Change" people simply don't like Beck pointing this out to people who may not have noticed it yet. Go to colorofchange.org. There's nothing MORE racist than that organization. Glenn Beck is one of Fox's highest rated shows. Whatever advertising is pulled from his show will be replaced by non-racist entities. This is unfortunate since I would personally prefer that his show become commercial-free. With his ratings, Fox wouldn't cancel it - they'd simply fund it from the same pool of advertisers who supported it in the past. He brings a lot of viewers to Fox. Count all the ex-CNN viewers who now see the light.

[Lulubelle1]

For someone ranting & raving about the First Amendment and Constitutional Rights, the poster displays absolutely no understanding of what the First Amendment actually says. What Color of Change is doing is absolutely not a violation of rights to free speech.

Read the Constitution and Bill of Rights, why don't you. Or perhaps take an introductory civics course.

Beck can say what he likes. You can say what you like. I can say what I like. Others can respond by either echoing, or by withdrawing support.

You know, just like happened when cultural conservatives urged boycotts of networks that aired programs featuring homosexual relationships in a positive light, etc.

Demonstrating economic might (potential sales lost) with petitions and press releases is the right of any group of individual Americans who choose to do so. That is THEIR right, as well.

[audreyonhuff]

Actually, no, Glenn Beck CAN'T say what he likes because if he does, some racist organization allies with big business to punish him. You people are acting like suckers. Do you support big business or not? Get your heads out of the sand. You're being played. I suggest watching Glenn Beck for a couple of weeks. Start next Monday.

Meanwhile, I'll say what I like but withdrawing my support for every company that boycotts his show. That IS how it works.

[wmramlal]

Lulubelle1

Let the church say Amen!

When dealing with some individuals the only way you can get their attention and hold it is to hit them in the pocketbook.

I

[iplaw]

Everyone has some degree of racism. I would rather vote for a racist than an idiot. McCain lost millions of votes with his utterance "the fundamentals of the economy are sound".

Though I would estimate that most FOX viewers are either retarded or completely brainwashed, I see no reason to cancel Glenn Beck. What we need are some libel lawsuits. Any reasonable judge would find his blatant lies to cross into the legal classification of "malicious" as well as being untrue. This threshold allows even public figures to collect damages.

[gaysofla]

Ohhhhh Noooooo Audreyonhuff....I joined Color of Change when they first launched this campaign! Oh my, I'm not part of a racist group....and actually, it seems I'm part of a black racist group. My white redneck grandpappy is gonna turn over in his grave. Ohhhhh nooooo! But thanks for reminding me, I need to run down to Walmart and purchase my HDD recorder so I can tape delay all of Olberman and Maddow's show on MSNBC!

[MinnesotaProud]

All of you have been duped! The companies have all acknowledged that the response from people who refute these allegations have been 10 times the numbers from Colorofchange petitions and they refuse to get into this political fight championed by the Left. Once they learned about colorofchange founders ties to the Obama Admin, all advertising will revert to original plans! They have also advised that they have been alerted to commentators on MSNBC and CNN and contributors to Huff who have called people racists many times over. They have now refused to be drawn in to this any further!

[Adakin Valorem]

Isn't Broadview Security Systems the company that only has white males braking into homes?
How come there is never any one other than this race & gender always breaking into homes? Don't other races and genders invade homes? I'm pretty sure that they do... And why do the bad guys always run away when the alarm sounds? Cops in my neighborhood take at least 20-30 minutes to get here or at least until after the Dunkin Donut Shop closes. Someone breaking into a home in my rural neighborhood knows that they got at least 15 minutes to grab what they can before the cops get there... or get shot by the homeowner in the process.

[bermanator]

Most of the ads also feature break-ins committed during broad daylight by clean-cut looking criminals, five seconds after the husband/parents pull out of the driveway. Oh, and the potential victims run UPSTAIRS rather than out of the house.

[IFTYS]

We also can't subject our viewers to ANY racial misconduct. Now could we.

[iplaw]

Breaking into a house in middle America is a dangerous occupation. These people must be pretty stupid as the only thing worth stealing are the guns the owners are likely to shoot them with.

[audreyonhuff]

These observations are interesting in that they point out the flaw in Broadview's product. It obviously won't work. They're stealing more from you every month than a potential burglar would get away with. A Broadview alarm would never have scared SImpson or Manson away. Those are the ones I'd be worried about the most.

[StCrispian]

For people addicted to anger this is their daily fix. Some get the fix all day. I wouldn't have thought it could happen but just think of all the shows people just "have to see". For most people it is comedy, or reality, but for this crowd, lets call them "people who need to be at the therapist for anger issues", hate TV is the addiction. I live in a condo with about 15 older people (I'm getting older, they are all in their 60's to 70+'s, and one man is cranky, mean, rude... he loves FOX. His sweet wife must just go nuts! The good news is he still goes to work part time at the company he still owns so she gets away from it a bit.

[outworldarts]

I can't believe anyone listens to any talk show host. What is the point of listening to one person (liberal or conservative doesn't matter) screech his or her opinions for an hour or so a day? Biased reporting seems to be the norm nowadays not the exception.

[iplaw]

You obviously have not seen the Daily Show.

[audreyonhuff]

This is a good point. While I watch Fox for morning news, the only "talk" show I regularly watch is Glenn Beck. This is because his is NOT an hour of opinions, like Mr. Tingly-leg on that Obama-owned channel, but well researched and under-reported topics. It's THE source of truth. Of course, there are obviouly readers on this site who would dispute that, but it's because they've never watched it. I find it ironic that no one tried to have advertisers pull from his show while he was at CNN. So long as he was bashing Bush, OK. But don't anyone dare say a cross word about the annointed one.

[MominAmerica]

Ah, another following loyal dittohead.

[phylliscooper1]

Glenn does not seem to be wrapped just right. He gets on the air and cries because of his perceived thoughts of threats to his disabled daughter's well being under a new health care plan and also makes fun of the President's aunt because she has to use a cane because of her medical problem.

[GHM]

boycott FOX News

[iplaw]

Yeah, I am sure there are a lot of Huffpuff readers that are also FOX viewers. This is a great place to call for a FOX boycott.

[audreyonhuff]

Sure, if they ever cancel Glenn Beck or even if he "resigns".

[DMashaK]

Hello my fellow Citizens aka WE THE PEOPLE

It troubles me that so many Democrat/P­rogressive­/Liberal/B­lue Collar Americans delight at Glen Beck losing advertisers. Imagine this Scenario - All these advertisers, while sitting around smoking their big ole cigars at their exclusive clubs are likely chortling over how easily the American Public can be manipulated to celebrate things that go against their own personal best interests.

Do you folks really just blindly follow what you are told and not think for yourselves? While I don't agree with everything that Glen Beck stands for, I can tell you I stand with him in his position that something is terribly wrong with America, that America is broken. I don't always appreciate his comments, choice of words or attitude, but I stand.....

System does not allow enough room, please read missing middle portion here : http://twurl.cc/1gsk

...I do not understand how can you complain day after day about low wages, a hectic schedule and both spouses having to work to make ends meet and then celebrate the attempts to silence Glen Beck?....

Personally, I would rather die than grovel at the feet of power for a few scraps and be powerless when that power no longer has a need for me and/or tires of me.

Those were my thoughts.

Respectfully,

Don Mashak
The Cynical Patriot
http://donmashakteapartyindependentdissent.blogspot.com/
http://donmashakschallengetouspoliticalparty.blogspot.com/
TEA Party | Appeal for Decorum - No Guns, No Violence http://twurl.cc/1gmu

[Bill Edgeworth]

GLEN BECK, will always be known to me as THE PAUL REVERE OF SANITY FOR "WE THE PEOPLE". I will shop at any business that supports his radio and TV shows, as well as his comedy stage acts, but more importantly I will not do any business with anyone that does not support him. Two can play at this game James Rucker of The Airryheaded Post. I hope that all of Glen Becks Fans will take up the cause and do the same. Yes WE Can make a difference, and Yes WE Will.
A FIRM SUPPORTER OF GLEN BECK, SARAH PALIN, RUSH LIMBAUGH, SEAN HANNITY and all the like.
Bill Edgeworth
Get use to seeing that name. I will be back.

[bermanator]

How can you possibly justify liking any of these people, even as a conservative?

Sean Hannity? Every time I think about him I picture the time he screamed "abortion pills!" over and over again at one of his interviewees. He is incapable of conversation or a coherent debate.

Sarah Palin, while not actually a bad person, is so far beyond unqualified for a government position it's laughable. It has nothing to do with her being a woman, or attractive, or anything superficial. It has to do with her absolute inability to debate or be interviewed. Then she went and resigned, which solidified her image as a feckless leader.

Rush Limbaugh is capable of actual analysis but has chosen the Rejectionist / Obstructionist strategy, illogically criticizing Obama for anything and everything -- a position anyone should view as inherently anti-American. No American should take joy in the failures of our leadership, but he sure does; all the while crowing about his (transparently) hollow Patriotism.

I actually find Glenn Beck the least offensive of the group only because I think he's a double agent, a Moby, a comedian, and I don't believe he takes himself seriously.

True conservatives have no future in the GOP, a fundamentalist party which is obsessed with the sexual habits of their constituency.

Hopefully, a new party will emerge for conservatives who love capitalism and strive for small government but do not feel comfortable defining other people's relationships or what women can or can't do with their bodies.

[MominAmerica]

You told everyone everything (about your following dittohead self) with your list of those you support.

[freetobemealways]

Amen Edgeworth!!! America is in trouble!! I absolutely agree with you. God Bless America!..Oops, are we still allowed to use the G-word?

[BeltwayBandit]

I only Tivo'd the last 1/2 hour of the program, below are the advertisers from 5:33-5:59PM (EDT)
Commercial­s/Sponsors 8/19/09 5:33-5:59 (EDT)

AmeriTrade
SmartBalance
Go-to-Meet­ing/Citrix
Jos A Bank
Binder & Binder
DirecTV NFL Ticket
Extenze
IRS Tax Agreements
Lear Capital
Johnson Law Group
Liberty Medical
ZeroWater (also available @ Target)

[Lulubelle1]

Now, now... While I refuse to support any business which supports Glenn Beck's vitriol, I certainly wouldn't deny the cretins watching him access to advertisements for Extenze. I'm sure they need it, since "small man" syndrome is why half of them are so bellicose and watch such dreck.

Also... Liberty Medical probably provides the catheters and tubing used to pump crazy juice into Beck's viewers. And Binder & Binder provide valuable legal assistance to the many who drive drunk on their way home from the local bar or appear on a COPS episode.

Come to think of it, SmartBalance might well keep their pork-rind-laden arteries open a bit longer, too.

Leave 'em something, since they're otherwise so uninformed...

[iplaw]

SmartBalance makes sense, you would have to be crazy to eat that stuff after reading the label. I would expect more snake oil salesman like Extenze to advertise. Couldn't hurt Remington, Colt, Bennelli, etc., noone blames gun makers for how stupid their customers may be.

[MinnesotaProud]

Hey thanks, we Glenn Beck supporters will immediately contact them!

[OzoneTom]

I doubt that many of Beck's fans are going to be able to give up WalMart -- I mean Geico's one thing, but never WalMart.

[FormerReaganite]

I NEVER shop at WhaleMart, and never will. Not until they allow a union to organize there.

[MinnesotaProud]

Glenn Beck followers do not shop at Chinamart (Opps - Walmart) anyway! We have too much class and those cheap items are reserved for LEFTIES!