Issues@Hand
AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs
July 1994 – Tired of appearing on AFA’s list of sponsors of sex, violence, profanity and anti-Christian bigotry, some advertisers are approaching the networks saying they want more clean family programs they can support.
One group of advertisers is pooling their money to revive Against The Grain, the prime-time family series cancelled by NBC last fall, according to the May 23 edition of Advertising Age.
General Motors, AT&T, Clorox, McDonald’s, and Coca-Cola have asked CBS to develop a two-hour movie based on the series and to eventually bring the program back at a regular slot on Saturday night. The producer of the series reported receiving over 130,000 cards and letters of support from AFA members. NBC received a similar number. And while NBC did not respond to the request, it appears that the advertisers and CBS have. In fact, Advertising Age reported that other companies are believed to be joining the effort.
In a similar situation, CBS has announced that they have ordered 13 new episodes of Christy for next season. AFA recently had a major letter-writing campaign to save the series.
Donald E. Wildmon, president of AFA, said that the work of the members of AFA played a major role in the two series being on the network next year. “Even the largest corporation can be forced into listening if enough individuals let their voices be heard. These companies are beginning to get the message that sponsoring trash television is bad business. In putting up money to resurrect Against The Grain, they are hoping for positive public support,” he said.
He also said that AFA is launching another major campaign against the porn series NYPD Blue. AFA’s efforts last fall caused ABC to lose $15-20,000,000 of potential advertising revenue on the program. The network was hurt so much that they are sending out representatives begging advertisers to help support the program. Wildmon is encouraging supporters to call and write their local ABC affiliate asking them not to carry the program next fall.
Leading sponsors of NYPD Blue last season were Unilever (Lipton tea), Warner Lambert (Listerine), American Express and Volkswagen (call your local dealer). AFA urges supporters to cut their American Express card in half and return it, and to call the customer service department of the companies and complain. The toll-free number is shown in bold-face print below.
Unilever United States Inc., Pres. Richard A. Goldstein, 390 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Phone 212-888-1260, FAX 212-906-4411, TOLL FREE: 1-800-598-1223.
PRODUCTS: Aim toothpaste, All detergent, Aqua Net hair spray, Caress soap, Close-Up toothpaste, Country Crock butter, Cutex nail polisher and remover, Dove detergent, Dove soap, Elizabeth Arden cosmetics, Faberge’ cosmetics, Good Humor ice cream bars, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Imperial margarine, Lever soap, Lipton tea and soups, Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup, Pepsodent toothbrushes, Pepsodent toothpaste, Pond’s Cream, Q-tips, Ragu’ Italian foods, Shedd’s Spreads, Shield soap, Signal mouthwash, Snuggle liquid fabric softener, Sunlight dishwashing detergent, Vaseline products, Wish-Bone salad dressing, Wisk detergent.
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: Actifed cold tablets, Benadryl, Certs breath mints, Chiclets gum, Clorets breath fresheners, Dentyne chewing gum, Efferdent denture cleaner, Freshen-up gum, Halls cough drops, Listerine mouthwash, Neosporin ointment, Personal Touch lady razor, Rolaids antacid, Sudafed tablets, Trident chewing gum.
American Express Company, Chrm. Harvey Golub, 200 Vesey Street, New York, NY10285, Phone 212-640-2000, FAX 212-619-9077, TOLL FREE: 1-800-528-4800. PRODUCTS: American Express Card, IDS Financial Service.
Volkswagen of America, Pres. Clive Warrilow, P.O. Box 3951, Troy, Ml 48007, Phone 313-340-5000, FAX 313-340-4930, TOLL FREE: 1-800-822-8987. PRODUCTS: Audi and Volkswagen automobiles. 
