Comments on: Stonewall calls for Heinz boycott after they pull the plug on gay advert

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:13:12 +0000

Right.. so boycott a company that places a Gay advert (but retracts it in the face of pressure and condemnation) and instead purchase products from companies too chicken-shit to do anything pro-gay. Very clever!

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By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:26:46 +0000

Hey Heinz – check this out:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8102.html

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By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:05:59 +0000

cheers for those addresses Nia

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By: nia

nia — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:59:13 +0000

let them hear us! write an email to @uk.hjheinz.com">pressoffice @uk.hjheinz.com with copy to butlerc@amvbbdo.com, @us.hjheinz.com">Ted.Smyth @us.hjheinz.com, @uk.hjheinz.com">Nigel.Dickie @uk.hjheinz.com and @uk.hjheinz.com">Consumer.Contact @uk.hjheinz.com

subject: Censoring of Heinz Deli Mayo TV ad

dear mr. or mrs. i’m really disappointed, why did you remove the Heinz Deli Mayo TV ad made by BBDO only because a bunch of sick homophobes pressured you to do that? you are endorsing a homophobe agenda and i won’t buy any of your products again until you repair the damage you have done. you have lost one customer, and i’m pretty sure i won’t be the only one. have a nice day xxxxxx

and sign the petition too: http://www.petitiononline.com/heinz/petition.html

we are a lot more than 200 sick homophobes, and they have lost us as customers!!

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By: Abi Chrisopher

Abi Chrisopher — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:54:01 +0000

I think this is not just a thing we should take up with Hinze but your supermarket as well email them telling them you object as a LGBT person to seeing the homphobic Hinze products in stores and if they want to keep your custom they will remove all Hinze products.

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By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:40:27 +0000

I think that Heinz knew only too well that this could 'backfire'. They are the client and nothing the ad agency came up with would ever make it to air without the full agreement of the Heinz marketing department, and that includes this ad with the associated risk. In the back, or probably not so back, of their minds would be the knowledge that the sight of two guys kissing on TV could still cause a stir, however small or large.

Their fall-back position would have been pre-planned from the start. They knew they could pull this ad and not lose the campaign – they knew they would have other executions out there still running. Otherwise this would have been the standalone ad. They also knew that balance of the cost of the ad and pulling it against the value of the free media they would get when they did pull would probably be in their favour. If this had been a standalone ad, that would not have been true – they would only have the uncontrolled media rather than their carefully crafted message out there. In this circumstance they may have resisted the calls to pull the ad, purely for financial reasons.

Marketers plan, execute and brand track campaigns from every angle, doing extensive audience research both pre and post campaign break. Heinz are to be viewed in a dim light as they have chosen to exploit the free publicity and ignore the offence they have caused to many gay and lesbian people.

It might just be though that they have underestimated how negative the backlash is. When their replies to all the emails start coming through we'll be able to see the angle they take. Then we really will know what they think of us!

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By: Ryan Haynes

Ryan Haynes — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:22:03 +0000

I say FULL RESPECT to Heinz…well done…why? Well they dared do an advert with a gay couple in the first place, if it hadn't have been pulled we would have applauded it – or WOULD WE?

I doubt it! Heinz knew that by pulling it it would get MORE RECOGNITION and ATTENTION. I say, ruddy GOOD ON THEM!

If people are TOO IGNORANT to recognise this as a VERY BRAVE publicity stunt that could BACKFIRE from their middle-England audience then MORE FOOL YOU!

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By: Angela Marincowitz

Angela Marincowitz — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:47:48 +0000

I am the person who erroneously sent the original email to Sean. Here is my response to his response (APOLOGIES FOR THE CAPS):

What a bunch of moaners. I’m all for equality for people of varying sexual orientations, but my god! It’s an advert! (ADVERTS ARE A POWERFUL AND OFTEN SUBTLE WAY OF ENFORCING THE STATUS QUO – OR NOT AND WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE ALERT TO HOW GAY PEOPLE ARE PORTRAYED IN THE MEDIA)

We are not Rosa Parks, and we are treated nowhere near as bad as Black Americans back in the day, so what’s the boycott thing all about? (NOT ALL GAY PEOPLE ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND HAVE THE ADVANTAGES WE HAVE – THINK MATTHEW SHEPHERD, IRANIAN HOMOSEXUALS, JAMAICAN AND AFRICAN LESBIANS RAPED TO TURN THEM STRAIGHT, GAY-BASHING IN MANCHESTER… NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE INSULT OR ABUSE IT STILL NEEDS CHALLENGING TO CHANGE.)

Are gay people complaining about Heinz’s actions genuinely offended or just trying to prove a point for the Pink Corner? (I FOR ONE AM GENUINELY OFFENDED THAT HEINZ WOULD REMOVE AN AD ON THE BASIS OF 200 COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2 MEN KISSING IN A CLEARLY LIGHT-HEARTED AD.)

I don’t think anyone in their right minds wants to deal with trying to explain to their children why two men are kissing on TV (I THINK EVERYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO THEIR CHILDREN WHY 2 MEN WOULD BE KISSING – HOW IS THIS ANY DIFFERENT TO A MAN AND A WOMAN KISSING IN THE SAME WAY?).

This doesn’t mean that it’s homophobic – and the article doesn’t tell us what the complaints were about. Were they homophobic complaints or simply actions of parents in the situation I mentioned above? (HOW IS IT NOT HOMOPHOBIC TO COMPLAIN ABOUT 2 MEN KISSING AND NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT A MAN AND A WOMAN KISSING IN THE SAME SITUATION?)

And who wants to see ANYONE kissing on an advert for Heinz mayonnaise anyway? (AGREED – BUT WHAT IS WRONG ABOUT A 'PERCEIVED' ALTERNATIVE FAMILY.) Whether they’re gay or straight or bisexual?

If there’s anything to be angry at Heinz for, it is not for the fact that they pulled a gay-related adverts; it’s for the fact that they were willing to use gay men as a catalyst for causing controversy. (AGREED – IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE DOING.)

WHATEVER THE POINT OF THE AD – WHETHER IT WAS INTENDED TO PORTRAY A GAY RELATIONSHIP OR NOT(I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS ABOUT THIS BEING UNINTENTIONAL – THE WHOLE NY DELI CHEF/MOM THING) THE COMPLAINTS ARE CLEARLY HOMOPHOBIC– WHATEVER THE REASON GIVEN. TAKING OFFENCE TO THE SIGHT OF 2 MEN KISSING (AND NOT EVEN A FULL ON SNOG) IS HOMOPHOBIC.

REMOVAL OF THE AD ON THE BASIS THAT IT OFFENDS SOME PEOPLE – AND NOT THINKING HOW THAT WILL LOOK TO EVERYONE ELSE IS A BAD MOVE ON THE PART OF HEINZ. I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD USE PINK BUYING POWER TO SUPPORT COMPANIES WHO ACTIVELY SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL AND NOT SUPPORT THOSE THAT GIVE IN TO THE MORAL MINORITY.

I ALSO AGREE THAT LETTING THIS GO IS THE START OF THE SLIPPERY SLOPE. I'VE COMPLAINED TO HEINZ VIA THEIR SITE AND SIGNED THE ON-LINE PETITION.

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By: William - Dublin

William - Dublin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:31:42 +0000

"For Heaven's sake, people, take a deep breath, calm down, chill out, and be grateful for the more enlightened times we are living in!"

Rod, we're getting there yes, but Heinz pulling an ad because two men are kissing would indicate we have a LONG way to go yet.

I do not agree that this is an overreaction. If 200 people can complain about two men kissing and have an ad pulled, what's next? Objections to two men kissing on the street? Or holding hands? Or moving in next door? Complacency is a slippery slope and should never be an answer to 200 homophobic reactions to an ad.

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By: Rod

Rod — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:07:40 +0000

Who gives a toss?! I object more to gay men being used to flog baked beans than the fact that this ad has been pulled. Every time I see Stonewall mentioned in the press, I squirm with embarrassment at the laughing stock they are making of the gay community, and I know I am not alone. What a bunch of whiners and reactionaries they are painting us to be. David Davies last week? Heinz Beanz this week? What will it be next week, as Stonewall fights for its survival, desperately attempting to prove that it still has a role to play in this more enlightened age when, in reality, it is fast becoming an irrelevance and a major embarrassment. Gay men should start acting like men and stop screaming "bigots" every time the minority of ignoramuses who still view us with disdain open their mouths.You are far more likely to make them go away by laughing at them and ridiculing them than to scream and shout at them. Just ignore them and they will go away. Make a fuss and get outraged every time you see an injustice and our comunity will only attract more negative attention and be viewed as reactionary zealots who won't be satisfied until we are running the world! Gays have never been as accepted by, and integrated into, the mainstream as we are today. For Heaven's sake, people, take a deep breath, calm down, chill out, and be grateful for the more enlightened times we are living in!!

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By: Sister Mary Clarence

Sister Mary Clarence — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:35:10 +0000

I absolutely agree with you Nick, and clearly from the media storm that is brewing and the comments attached to the story on every major newspaper's websites, public opinion, gay and straight, is overwellingly against the removal of the ad.

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By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:48:44 +0000

Anthony – Heinz DIDN'T have to pull the plug – they weren't instructed or required to by the ASA, they chose to. In doing so they have thrown their weight and influence behind the ignorant people you talk of, thereby displaying and validating that same ignorance.

I am as fair as the next person, but if Heinz want to publicly align themselves with people who find me offensive, simply because I am gay, then they can expect to hear from me about it. They can also expect me to boycott them and actively encourage others too as well. That's fair. That's how fair works in a market economy.

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By: anthony

anthony — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:05:14 +0000

Oh come on, be fair. Heinz aired the ad in the first place, knowing full well how it could be interpreted. I think we should give praise to Heinz, and not denounce them and threaten to boycott.
If anything, we should look to see how ignorant some people of Britain still are. It is those who complained at fault, not Heinz themselves. It is a shame they had to pull the plug on the ad, but I won't place the blame on them.
Boycotting seems a childish idea and would not do the gay community any favours.

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By: francesco

francesco — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:54:51 +0000

here's a list of products to boycott in the u.s.

Bagel Bites – Frozen snacks
Black Tie Hors D'oeuvres and Desserts
Boston Market
Classico – Premium sauces
Del Monte
Heinz Organic Ketchup
Heinz 57 Sauce
Heinz Vinegar
Heinz Relish
Heinz Mustard
Jack Daniel's – Grilling sauce
Lea & Perrins
Mr. Yoshida’s products
Nancy's
Ore-Ida – Frozen potatoes
Poppers – Jalapeño Poppers, Mozzarella sticks
Smart Ones
T.G.I. Friday's
UFC ketchups
Wyler's

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By: dave

dave — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:52:14 +0000

DONT BOTHER. We do not have gay equilty in this counrty. WE never have and we never will. Stonewall is out of touch with gay life and should concentrate more on real issues that effect our every day lives other than trite like this

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By: Sister Mary Clarence

Sister Mary Clarence — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:46:06 +0000

Peter, those of us that are able to actually focus on more than one things at any one time could maybe be indignant and about the removal of this ad AND Robert Mugabe, US HIV immigration policy, our Home Secretary's comments about gay people in Iran living 'discreet' lives, and anyone one of a number of others things.

I can’t quite get my head round why you should think why concern about this should in any way detract for concerns about other issues.

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By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:00:53 +0000

Well said Nick, you're right on.

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By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:41:33 +0000

Continuing on – sorry, but this has really pissed me off!

Part of the reason the ad was pulled is that apparently people think that it is unsuitable for kids. It would make it hard for some parents to discuss homosexuality with their kids, blah, blah, blah. Well parenting is by and large a choice and no-one said it would be easy.

This issue is going to give Heinz god knows how many column inches of free marketing, they WILL be rubbing their hands in glee, so it is up to us to turn the spotlight on the issue of the real negative effect this is going to have on lesbian and gay youth. If Heinz are so concerned about youth, then they can't ignore this aspect of their actions on these kids.

Peter and Sean, yeah, it's only an advert and yeah it's only mayo and yeah, Heinz are a big multi-national. A few queens jumping up and down in the UK isn't going to send them into receivership. I can walk away from it and deal with the bad feeling this episode gives me. Using 'gay men to cause controversy' means that somewhere tomorrow some kid won't have that luxury of walking away, cos they will be surrounded by bullies. I used to be that kid at school and I remember it well. So, please consider that this issue does have a serious side, it's not JUST a piece of fluff and get 'angry and activist' about something that matters just as much as HIV or Mugabe. You might be the one walking past tomorrow just as that kid gets punched in the gut and called a faggot.

Nothing ever changed cos people just sat at home and went 'tut', so if you aren't offended by this thought and don't want anything to change sit at home and go 'tut', but do it to yourself. Taking the piss out of those who are offended is great fun, and has its moments, but here it seems just a bit pointless.

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By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:09:15 +0000

I emailed them. I asked for a retraction and said I would boycott etc etc. However, I think we should aim for something more positive.

Every time homophobia is legitimised like this, homophobic assaults increase. Some kid somewhere is going to get bashed or tormented tomorrow cos his or her classmates have read about this in the papers or seen it reported on TV. I asked Heinz to make amends in the form of donation to a charity which supports those at the receiving end of homophobic abuse. They need to see how their action in pulling this ad has just helped legitimise it. The more they need to comment on this, especially in the media, the harder it will be for them to justify it and the more unacceptable their actions will become in the eyes of their consumers – very few, even most bigots want to see their actions cause kids to get hurt.

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By: Peter Rivendell

Peter Rivendell — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:02:34 +0000

Heinz – or more specifically, their ad agency – used the 'comedy' of two men kissing in this advert. This advert is not inclusive in any sense or intended to portray or 'normalise' same-sex relationships or parenting. In fact, it is, if anything, somewhat homophobic, if rather sweet.

Unfortunately, this seems to have backfired spectacularly as the ad has offended those people who find the sight of two men kissing 'offensive' and now the gay community who are affronted by this perceived homophobia.

I suggest that if you want to get angry and all 'activist' about something you get angry and activist about something that matters – like Robert Mugabe, US HIV immigration policy or our Home Secretary's comments about gay people in Iran living 'discreet' lives. Or just don't buy the bloody naff mayo.

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