|
|
Team Work on a National Level
E-mail messages disseminated to "the troops on the inside."
April 30, 1997
Seen the Kellogg's commercial about bran cereals? The one with the firefighters commenting about "fat dispatchers?"
======shaking my head in disbelief=====
Well, until I find a really GOOD e-mail address for the corporation, here's one forum for expressing your dissatisfaction:
http://www.kelloggs.com/booth/booth.py?page=feedback
*snarl*
Happy to be here, proud to serve!
Linda Olmstead
http://www.geocities.com/~gryeyes
very late hours of May 1, 1997
Getcher dialing/pushing fingers ready!!!
--------------------
Forwarded message:
Subj: Re: Kellogg's Cereal "fat dispatcher" Commercial
Date: 97-04-30 12:33:34 EDT
From: (e-mail address suppressed)
To: GryEyes911
Just when you think we are getting beyond things like this.
Kelloggs consumer # 1(800) 962-1413 weekdays 8am-8pm.
If it helps.
one of the on-line dispatchers
evening hours of May 2, 1997
For those of you who haven't seen the commercial we've been discussing, you probably won't, now. Hehehehehehhehe. (All together now: "ohhhhhhhh, fooh!")
I'm forwarding Alan's message to y'all.
I do know that when I spoke to the woman at the Consumer line, she was willing to tell me that SHE alone had spoken to five dispatchers herself, and that there was a formal memo they were supposed to paraphrase to say the company had not intended to offend anyone, just focus on "healthy foods."
I told her that the commercial COULD have had those firefighters say: "I'm starting to look like a sheriff's deputy" and see what sort of reaction they might have gotten. (One of my close friends indicated she was going to tell them: "How about if they said 'I'm starting to look like a Kelloggs Consumer Line representative'.'" and see if she appreciated the comparison.) I suggested that if they needed to poke fun at anyone with an incipient weight problem, they could have had the firefighters compare themselves to a fictional entity, such as Jabba the Hut, but NOT an entire class of public servants.
So, here's to success, everyone!
(me)
---------------------
Forwarded message:
Subj: Kelloggs
Date: 97-05-02 19:08:57 EDT
From: DispMag To: GryEyes911
I received a voice-mail call at 330pm Friday from a Kelloggs representative saying that the offending ad had been pulled. Also that they wanted space in Dispatch Monthly's June issue to carry what may be an apology. I won't be able to talk to them until Monday PM, but will keep you posted.
I have not discussed this with anyone else, so feel free to share it as you see fit.
Alan Burton
May 5, 1997
Some of our "activists" have received this message from Kelloggs, so I thought I'd pass it on to y'all.
(Interestingly enough, I haven't received a thing from them yet..... Maybe there's a Bran Flakes truck with my name on it on its way....... )
Here 'tis:
Thank you for contacting Kellogg Company regarding the television commerical for KELLOGG'S COMPLETE BRAN FLAKES entitled "Firemen".
We certainly did not intend to offend dispatchers. Kellogg Company has long been committed to health and nutrition and the intent of the commercial is to encourage healthier eating habits at breakfast through high fiber low fat choices like KELLOGG'S COMPLETE BRAN FLAKES cereal.
Because concerned professionals, like yourself, took the time to share their views, we re-evaluated this advertisement and made the decision to no longer air this commercial effective May 2, 1997.
Due to the manner in which media is scheduled, you may see a few spots in selected markets during the next two weeks, however, we are doing all we can to discontinue the commercial. You may see the same characters in another commercial for KELLOGG'S COMPLETE BRAN FLAKES in the future, but we want to assure you that the content will be changed.
Viewer reaction, such as yours, is helpful to us and taken into consideration when developing future advertisements. Your concerns have been forwarded to the appropriate company officials and we hope future ads for this and our other products will be more acceptable to you.
Again, thank you for sharing your views and interest in Kellogg Company.
Consumer Affairs
Kellogg Company
*********************************
Okay. Next thing:
PSTC911 is looking for a video tape of the commercial, if anyone has one. I was actually too startled when I saw it to THINK of recording it!
NEXT thing:
I'm passing on a letter to y'all for which we should all pat ourselves on the back! (I know Alan won't mind my disseminating this to y'all....)
Subj: K'ggs
Date: 97-05-08 21:23:30 EDT
From: DispMag
To: GryEyes911
I talked with Consumer Affairs today (Thursday) and mentioned that The Commercial aired during the noon news on Sacramento's Channel 3. She said, and I had been previously told, that it could take several weeks for the pipeline to shut down. They've stopped some, but some contracts were in place and will run. Even so, they claim that they are trying to stop even those.
The Kelloggs people are particularly impressed with the demeanor and professionalism shown by the dispatchers, and police officers, and firefighters, that have called them. Previous complaints have apparently been accompanied by ranting and raving. The dispatchers (et al) have been understanding and rational. Interesting.
Alan
**********
Subject: Kellogg's
Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 15:27:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: PowerPhone@aol.com
Greetings,
Anne P. Barea, Product Coordinator, Consumer Affairs for Kellogg Company
asked me to distribute this to all of PowerPhone's Saving Seconds...Saving
Lives!(r) subscribers. If you would like a .jpg scan of the ad (same text as
below) e-mail your request to powerphone@aol.com.
Kellogg Company salutes our nation's dispatchers for the vital roles they play in their communities.
Kellogg Company recognizes the concerns dispatchers had with our recent Kellogg's Complete Bran Flakes cereal commercial. We certainly did not intend to offend dispatchers and we sincerely apologize.
Because of these concerns, we made the decision to no longer air this commercial in the current format.
We appreciate your candid feedback.
-- Kellogg Company
May 22, 1997
Date: 97-05-22 21:21:05 EDT
From: Joesas3
To: PowerPhone,GryEyes911,DispMag
Hi all,
Just to let you know, Kellogg's changed the voiceover on the
commercial....just caught their latest version of THE commercial.
The firemen now talk about leaving the goodies for the younger fire fighters.
Looks like they followed through on their promise.
Spread the word,
Joe
*******************************
May 22, 1997 - TWENTY MINUTES LATER
Date: 97-05-22 21:43:53 EDT
From: PowerPhone
To: Joesas3,GryEyes911,DispMag
Hey All,
According to consumer affairs, they actually called the NFPA
to make sure it was okay to pick on the rookies.
Sounds like we (911) made quite an impression.
Have a great weekend!
chris
***********************
May 23, 1997
Date: 97-05-23 12:24:31 EDT
From: DispMag
To: PowerPhone
CC: Joesas3,GryEyes911
NFPA maybe, but they also called National Firefighters.
I'm surprised they approved it, but hey... if it doesn't bother them, it's fine by me.
**********************************************
GOOD JOB, EVERYONE!!!!