Issues@Hand
AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs
February 1994 – AFA has identified the top 12 sponsors of TV violence. The listing follows monitoring done during the sweeps period last fall, October 17 – November 13.
Heading the list as the top sponsor of prime-time violence was Chrysler followed by ConAgra and Burroughs Wellcome Company.
Two of the three, Chrysler and Burroughs Wellcome, also have advertised on the ABC softcore porn series NYPD Blue.
AFA’s efforts have cost ABC approximately $12,000,000 in lost advertising revenue since the program began. When asked how long ABC would continue to lose money on the series, ABC Entertainment president Ted Harbert told Newsweek magazine (12/13/93): “The answer is, I don’t know. It’s not a charity concern here at ABC.”
Approximately 45 ABC affiliates still refuse to carry the series because of the porn sex scenes, the foul language and the extreme violence. “I hope that individuals will call and thank those ABC affiliates which have refused to carry the program. Also, I encourage individuals to boycott ABC affiliates which show the program,” said AFA president Donald E. Wildmon.
In a related item, General Motors continues to refuse to respond to a letter from Wildmon. On October 2, Wildmon asked General Motors to pull their advertising from ABC after the network began their new program NYPD Blue featuring pornography.
AFA discovered that General Motors is the largest advertiser on ABC. Because NYPD Blue continues to lose about $1-$1.5 million per episode, the network depends on the advertising revenue from sponsors of other programs to pay the bills. General Motors provides ABC more money than any other advertiser.
He said that if General Motors does not respond within the next month, AFA will seriously consider calling a boycott of their products. “We want to give General Motors every opportunity to avoid a boycott. But if they do not even respond to our letter, then the message is clear – they don’t care whether AFA supporters do business with them or not,” he said. 
Names, addresses, products of top sponsors of TV violence
1. Chrysler Corporation, Chrm. Robert J. Eaton, 12000 Chrysler Dr., Highland Park, MI 48288, Phone 313-956-5252. PRODUCTS: Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep, and Plymouth automobiles and Dodge trucks, Dollar Rent A Car, Thrifty-Rent-a-Car.
2. ConAgra, Inc., Chrm. Philip Fletcher, One ConAgra Dr., Omaha, NE 68102, Phone 402-595-4000, FAX 402-595-4665. PRODUCTS: Hunt tomato products, Manwich sloppy joe sauce, Swiss Miss puddings, frozen pudding bars and cocoa mixes, Wesson vegetable oil.
3. Burroughs Wellcome Company, Pres. Philip R. Tracy, 3030 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Phone 919-248-3000, FAX 919-248-8375, TOLL FREE: 1-800-722-9292. PRODUCTS: Actifed cold tablets, Neosporin ointment, Sudafed tablets.
4. 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, Burger King restaurants, Figurines, Green Giant products, Pearle Vision eye centers, Pillsbury foods.
5. 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: Aim toothpaste, Lipton tea and soups, Mentadent toothpaste, Snuggle liquid fabric softener, Wisk detergent.
6. 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, Bactine antiseptic, Mycelex-7, One-A-Day vitamins, S.O.S. soap pads.
7. Helene Curtis Industries, Inc., Chrm. Gerald Gidwitz, 325 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60610, Phone 312-661-0222, FAX 312-836-0125. PRODUCTS: Degree antiperspirant and deodorant, Finesse hair care products, Salon Selectives hair care products, Suave hair care products, Suave hand and body lotion.
8. 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, Le Menu frozen dinners, Mrs. Paul’s frozen foods, Swanson prepared foods, Vlasic pickles.
9. PepsiCo, Chrm. D. Wayne Calloway, Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577, Phone 914-253-2000, FAX 914-253-2070. PRODUCTS: Doritos corn chips, Lay’s potato chips, Rold Gold pretzels, Ruffles potato chips, Sun Chips, Taco Bell fast food.
10. Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Chrm. Richard Barth, 444 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley, NY 10502, Phone 914-479-5000, FAX 914-478-3480. PRODUCTS: Acutrim appetite suppressant, Desenex athlete’s foot medication, Doans’ pills, Dulcolax laxative, Efidac/24 cold medicine.
11. J.C. Penney, Chrm. William R. Howell, P.O. Box 10001, Dallas, TX 75301, Phone 214-431-1000. PRODUCTS: J. C. Penney department stores.
12. The Clorox Company, Chrm. G. Craig Sullivan, P. O. Box 24305, Oakland, CA 94623, Phone 510-271-7000, FAX 510-832-1463, TOLL FREE: 1-800-677-2624. PRODUCTS: Clorox bleach, Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, Liquid-Plumr drain opener, Soft Scrub cleanser, Tilex cleaner.
