Stations say ‘jihad’ car spots go too far

[jake75]

Stations say ‘jihad’ car spots go too far Saturday, September 23, 2006Tim Feran THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Some Columbus radio stations have rejected as insensitive an advertisement for a car dealership that invokes Islamic references. The general manager of the dealership, though, says the promotions — which he called "tongue-in-cheek" — will air on some stations beginning next week. In the spot, Keith Dennis of Dennis Mitsubishi talks about "launching a jihad on the automotive market." Sales representatives "will be wearing burqas all weekend long," the ad says. One of the vehicles on sale "can comfortably seat up to 12 jihadists in the back." "Our prices are lower than the evildoers’ every day. Just ask the pope! " the ad says. "Friday is fatwa Friday, with free rubber swords for the kiddies." Jeff Wilson, general manager of Radio One stations WCKX (107.5 FM), WJYD (106.3 FM) and WXMG (98.9 FM), doesn’t intend to air the spot. "We won’t play that," Wilson said. "With no disrespect to their creativity or their desire to build business, everything we’re about is promoting the values of diversity. To air things of that sort would go against our mission statement." Representatives of WSNY (94.7 FM), WBNS (97.1 FM), WWCD (101.1 FM), WJZA/WJZK (103.5/104.3 FM), and WODB (107.9 FM) also said they won’t air the ad. But Aaron Masterson, general manager of Dennis Auto Point, which writes and produces its own commercials, promised that the commercial will air. "It starts next Friday morning," Masterson said. "As far as I can see, the top 10 stations — minimum — in the market. We made it very clear we wanted market saturation to get the point across." The dealership was a little surprised by the hesitation to run the ad, Masterson said, although he noted, "According to the people who have heard it, it is the most controversial commercial they’ve heard in the last 15 years." Calling the commercial aggressive, Masterson said, "This is one where we feel we’re taking a bull’s-eye on terrorists. After all the nonsense that the terrorists put the public through, they’re fair game." The president of the Columbus chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, doesn’t think terrorism is to be taken lightly. Asma Mobin-Uddin said she is concerned the ad’s tone and imagery are "mocking and disrespectful to many different areas. One is Islamic faith and Islamic culture." "Using that as a promotional pitch when so many are dying from the criminal activity of suicide bombers, that’s not funny," Mobin-Uddin said. "I don’t think it’s appropriate when it causes real pain. It exploits or promotes misunderstanding in terms already misunderstood or misused. That type of ad does nothing but promote discord in a very difficult time. The timing is just amazing. Maybe that’s part of the shock value." When Dennis previewed the commercial Wednesday for radio executives, Masterson said, "everybody in the room thought it was very funny, extremely aggressive." Yet executives did have some concerns. "We talk about the pope, fatwa, terrorists. You hear one of these words, and their minds froze on it," he said. Nonetheless, he said, the company plans few changes.

[jake75]

I had to think awhile about this. I normally adhere to a "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" kind of attitude, but as I get older (and hopefully wiser) I think there are times when one should not push their right to freedom of speech to the limit. The Associated PressPublished: September 23, 2006 COLUMBUS, Ohio A car dealership's tongue-in-cheek radio advertisement declaring "a jihad on the automotive market," will not be changed, the company said, despite drawing sharp criticism that the ad's content is offensive to Muslims. Several stations rejected the spot from Dennis Mitsubishi, which boasts that sales representatives wearing "burqas" — head-to-toe traditional dress for Islamic women — will sell vehicles that can "comfortably seat 12 jihadists in the back." The Columbus chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations decried the ad as disrespectful. "Using that as a promotional pitch when so many are dying from the criminal activity of suicide bombers, that's not funny," chapter president Asma Mobin-Uddin said. "I don't think it's appropriate when it causes real pain. It exploits or promotes misunderstanding in terms already misunderstood or misused." In the ad, Keith Dennis of Dennis Mitsubishi talks about "launching a jihad on the automotive market." The ads will begin airing next week, dealership general manager Aaron Masterson said, although it was unclear whether any radio stations had accepted the spot. A message was left seeking additional comment at Dennis Mitsubishi on Saturday.

[jake75]

Express your opinion - pro or con - if you wish tossmith@dennisautopoint.comFYI - This used to be Dennis Pontiac-Mitsubishi but he sold his Pontiac franchice. Now sells Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Hyundai. Probably was influenced by Colonel Panic

[ColonelPanic]

I hopped on news.google.com last night and poof! there's this story, right there! They picked this one up from all over the globe. Good stuff:Quote » The Columbus chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the ads are disrespectful. President of the chapter Asma Mabin-Uddin said this kind of promotion when so many people are dying from the criminal activity of suicide bombers is not funny. The council representatives intend to contact the dealer to "offer some kind of cultural or sensitivity awareness training." http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/8953.htmlI'm one who really can laugh at just about anything, but this one really isn't even funny. It sounds stupid, immature - maybe junior high-ish at best. All this ad campaign is going to do is (removed) people off and make those who aren't offended by it sit back and think "wha?" And from what I've read, this is just Mitsubishi, right? They don't even have a vehicle capable of hauling 12 jihadists, sheesh!It is so tasteless, it almost sounds like a campaign that the local slimeball Kia monopoly, er, franchise would come up with. P.S. I hate to see a Pontiac dealer go away, I really don't dislike their product lineup, aside from the turdy Vibe I owned.

[jake75]

Sanity Returns!!!!! I suspected that Mitsubishi might apply a little pressure.DENNIS MITSUBISHI Radio ad won’t air, car dealer decides Story about ‘jihad’ spot generated opposition Tuesday, September 26, 2006Tim Feran THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Strong reaction to a radio ad that never aired has led the car dealership behind the spot to apologize and cancel plans to run it. In the spot, which was presented to radio executives last week, Keith Dennis, principal owner and CEO of Dennis Mitsubishi, talks about "launching a jihad on the automotive market." Some radio stations told Dennis that the spot was insensitive, and they would not run it if Dennis went through with plans to buy air time. The ad featured several references to terrorism and the war in Iraq. It referred to one car that "can comfortably seat up to 12 jihadists in the back" and said that on "fatwa Friday," free rubber swords would be offered to children. Aaron Masterson, general manager of Dennis Auto Point, said last week that the ad would run. But on Sunday, the dealership pulled the ad from consideration after The Dispatch’s story on Saturday about the proposed ad attracted widespread attention. "The story has sparked a significant reaction," Keith Dennis said in a news release. "Many Internet-based media outlets have picked up this story. … A large number of people have contacted us. Lots of them have seen the humor we were trying to convey, but far too many were clearly bothered by it. This was simply an attempt at humor that fell short. "I wish to offer my sincere apology to anyone who was offended," he said in the statement. "We do not wish to alienate anyone in our community — all of whom are potential customers. And we especially want to re-emphasize our support of the U.S. troops in harm’s way overseas. "Never have I seen a commercial that never aired generate such a huge response," Dennis said. "It is my hope that this statement clarifies our position, and we can return to business as usual." Mitsubishi Motors North America said in a statement yesterday that it had "strongly urged him (Dennis) not to run the campaign," noting that the campaign "runs contrary to our company values." "We are pleased that this campaign will not run," Mitsubishi said, "and apologize to all those who were offended."