Hallmark Channel At Center Of Storm Over Ad Featuring Lesbian Brides Kissing

[tbolt909]

"All In The Family" was innovative because it used humour to spotlight real issues. Some people found that uncomfortable.

The Hallmark situation is different. A fringe group that doesn't like gay people complained to the network. The network reacted by caving in and then reversed the decision. A famous episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati" dealt with a religious group that pressured the station to stop playing certain songs or face boycotts of their Advertisers. Ultimately, the station told the group to get lost.

If Hallmark had simply ignored this moronic group, they would have no controversy...

 

[FreddyE1977]

With so much bang for its ad buck, Zola emerges as the big winner. I wonder whether all the controversy was part of the plan.

Increasingly it is looking to me like it was. One big guerilla marketing campaign.

As you all know I am plugged-in to America's Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, and I have never heard of this outfit
that started the petition over the initial complaint. Hmmmm…...

 

[Silkie]

Nobody ever even heard of "A Million Moms" before this, or the "Million Mom March". It was a publicity gag completely staged on both sides by the advertising company in cooperation with the network.

 

[landtuna]

Having said that, if Hallmark had standards that this commercial didn't meet, the sponsor should have been told in advance.

It didn't sound like Hallmark had any standards. First it flipped, then it flopped. Not an ideal way to get a message across.

 

[CTListener]

Nobody ever even heard of "A Million Moms" before this, or the "Million Mom March". It was a publicity gag completely staged on both sides by the advertising company in cooperation with the network.

Proof?

 

[tbolt909]

Nobody ever even heard of "A Million Moms" before this, or the "Million Mom March". It was a publicity gag completely staged on both sides by the advertising company in cooperation with the network.

Present your proof. For what it's worth, this group has a website (One Million Moms). I doubt that Hallmark would engage in a publicity stunt of this kind during their Xmas Marathon season...

 

[boombox4]

Complaint, backlash, boycott, etc.

Haven't we seen this sort of thing before in broadcasting?

 

[FreddyE1977]

Haven't we seen this sort of thing before in broadcasting?

Heck, no, we won't go!

 

[Silkie]

Proof?

There are times when history is the best teacher. This is one of them.

 

[CTListener]

There are times when history is the best teacher. This is one of them.

Meaning what? Hallmark has done this before? I think not. Guerrilla marketing schemes pulled off through collusion between advertiser and station/network may have been done before, but it's extremely unlikely that Hallmark and an advertiser would pull off this sort of snarky, cynical, ha-ha-we-fooled-you-rubes fakery on the loyal audience it has developed for its wholesome, family-oriented programming, especially during this time of year when it's ratings are highest.

I suppose you're one of those who still believes Coca-Cola deliberately failed with New Coke.

 

[Silkie]

Has nothing to do with Hallmark.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/243740/hallmark-media-ceo-leaves-after-ad-backlash/

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of Hallmark’s media business is leaving the company after 11 years, just a month after its flagship Hallmark Channel faced an outcry over a decision to pull an ad with a lesbian couple kissing.

No reason was given for Bill Abbott’s departure, and no replacement was immediately named.

In a statement, Mike Perry, president and CEO of Hallmark Cards Inc., said that with immense competition from TV networks and streaming services, it is important for the company to find “relevant new ways to grow our business.”

Here is a new one