Issues@Hand
AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs
April 1994 – Unilever, the people who make Lever Brothers soap, Lipton Tea, and Wish-Bone dressing, is the top sponsor of prime-time sex, violence and profanity on network television. Unilever was cited after monitoring during the fall sweeps October 17-November 13.
Miles, Inc., the company which makes Alka-Seltzer, was number two while Warner-Lambert was number three. Warner-Lambert, makers of Listerine and Certs, has been identified by AFA for more than ten years as a leading sponsor of filth on TV. All three companies helped sponsor the softcore pornographic series NYPD Blue.
AFA urges readers to call the customer service department and complain: 1-800-598-1223 for Unilever and 1-800-223-0182 for Warner-Lambert. Miles is a toll number, 412-394-5500.
The monitoring showed that during a period of one year during prime-time, the three major networks aired approximately 30,030 sex, violence and profanity incidents. The study showed a total of 84% of all sex was depicted outside marriage.
Originally, Burroughs Wellcome was listed as the top sponsor. However, after the monitoring period, Burroughs Wellcome was purchased by Warner-Lambert.
■ Unilever United States, Inc., Pres. Richard A. Goldstein, 390 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Phone 212-888-1260, TOLL FREE: 1-800-598-1223. PRODUCTS: All detergent, Close-Up toothpaste, Dove soap, Lipton tea & soups, Mentadent toothpaste, Pond’s Cream, Ragu’ Italian foods, Shield soap, Vaseline products, Wish-Bone salad dressing, Wisk detergent. Sample programs: A Stranger in the Mirror, Ghost, Die Hard 2, Message from Nam, Picket Fences (10/28/93).
■ Miles Inc., Chrm. Konrad M. Weis, P. O. Box 40, Elkhart, IN 46515, Phone 219-264-8111, FAX 219-262-7209. PRODUCTS: Alka-Seltzer, Alka-Seltzer Plus, Flintstone’s vitamins, Mycelex-7, One-A-Day vitamins, S.O.S. soap pads. Sample programs: NYPD Blue (10/26/93), Ghost, Die Hard 2, One Good Cop, A Matter of Justice.
■ Warner-Lambert Company, Chrm. Melvin R. Goodes, 201 Tabor Road, Morris Plains, NJ 07950, Phone 201-540-2000, FAX 201-540-3761, TOLL FREE: 1-800-223-0182. PRODUCTS: Benadryl, Benylin cough syrup, Certs breath mints, Dentyne chewing gum, Efferdent denture cleaner, Halls cough drops, Listerine mouthwash, Lubriderm Lotion, Rolaids antacid, Trident chewing gum. Sample programs: NYPD Blue (10/19/93), A Stranger in the Mirror, Double Jeopardy, Picket Fences (10/28/93).
■ Campbell Soup Company, Chrm. David W. Johnson, Campbell Place, Camden, NJ 08103, Phone 609-342-4800, FAX 609-342-3878. PRODUCTS: Campbell’s soups, juices, and canned foods, Franco-American foods, Godiva chocolates, Le Menu frozen dinners, Mrs. Paul’s frozen foods, Pepperidge Farm foods, Prego spaghetti sauce, Swanson prepared foods. Sample programs: Roseanne (10/19/93), A Stranger in the Mirror, Dances with Wolves, Ghost, A Matter of Justice.
■ ConAgra, Inc., Chrm. Philip Fletcher, One ConAgra Dr., Omaha, NE 68102, Phone 402-595-4000, FAX 402-595-4665. PRODUCTS: Act II Microwave popcorn, Banquet frozen foods, Chun King foods, Healthy Choice frozen food, Hunt tomato products, Orville Redenbacher popcorn, Peter Pan peanut butter, Wesson vegetable oil. Sample programs: Walker, Texas Ranger (10/30/93), Ghost, Die Hard 2, Message from Nam, One Good Cop.
■ Sandoz Corporation, Pres. Timothy G. Rothwell, 608 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10020, Phone 201-503-7500, FAX 212-246-0185. PRODUCTS: ExLax laxative, Gas-X Tablets, Tavist-D medication, Thera-Flu cold medicine, Triaminic cough formula. Sample programs: A Stranger in the Mirror, Northern Exposure (10/25/93), Die Hard 2, A Matter of Justice.
■ PepsiCo, Chrm. D. Wayne Calloway, Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577, Phone 914-253-2000, FAX 914-253-2070. PRODUCTS: Cheetos cheese puffs, Doritos corn chips, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Lay’s potato chips, Pepsi Cola soft drink, Pizza Hut restaurants, Rold Gold pretzels, Slice soft drink, Taco Bell fast food. Sample programs: Roseanne (10/19/93), Picket Fences (10/28/93), Ghost, Die Hard 2, A Matter of Justice.
■ Grand Metropolitan, Inc., Chrm. Ian A. Martin, 200 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Phone 612-330-4966, FAX 612-330-5200. PRODUCTS: Alpo pet food, Bundt cakes, Burger King restaurants, Figurines, Green Giant products, Hungry Jack products, Jeno’s frozen pizza, Pearle Vision eye centers, Pillsbury foods, Totino’s pizza. Sample programs: Dances with Wolves, Die Hard 2, One Good Cop, A Matter of Justice.
■ Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Chrm. Richard L. Gelb, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, Phone 212-546-4000, TOLL FREE: 1-800-468-7746. PRODUCTS: Ban antiperspirant, Bufferin pain medication, Clairol hair products, Excedrin pain medication, Final Net hair spray, Keri lotion, Loving Care hair care, Nice ’n Easy shampoo, Nuprin pain reliever, Ultresse hair coloring. Sample programs: Dances with Wolves, Love & War (10/18/93), Conviction of Kitty Dodd, Ghost, House of Secrets.
■ Nestle USA, Inc., Chrm. Tim Crull, 800 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203, Phone 818-549-6000, TOLL FREE: 1-800-637-8537. PRODUCTS: Beech-Nut Stages baby foods, Butterfinger candy, Carnation food products, Chaps cologne, Drumstick ice cream, Friskies pet food, Lean Cuisine low-cal foods, L’Oreal hair care products, Mighty Dog pet food, Preference hair dye, Quik drink mix, Stouffer’s frozen foods, Studio Line hair products, Taster’s Choice coffee. Sample programs: Pretty Woman, Roseanne (10/19/93), Dances with Wolves, Picket Fences (10/28/93), Die Hard 2.
■ Kmart Corporation, Chrm. Joseph E. Antonini, 3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084, Phone 313-643-1000, FAX 313-643-5249, TOLL FREE: 1-800-635-6278. PRODUCTS: Basset Book Shops, Borders Bookstores, Brentanos Bookstores, Builders Square stores, Kmart stores, The Sports Authority stores, Waldenbooks stores. Sample programs: Evening Shade (10/18/93), Love & War (10/18/93), Message from Nam, Seinfeld (11/4/93). 
