Let me give you the skinny on PETA and marketing

[justiceischeap]

I was asked to make this an OP, so I'm gonna

I used to work at PETA (it was my first full-time web design gig). They have several methods of operation... this being one of their more common ones when it comes to advertising or marketing. Keep in mind, at this point PETA is mostly a PR firm for their brand and cause.

Here are the steps:

1. Create an ad that is totally outrageous
2. Claim you are going to post it somewhere or even put it up in one place.
3. Send out a press release about said outrageousness...
4. Everyone starts talking about the ad and PETA.
5. Mission accomplished for very little $$ or effort.

There have been some really outrageous ads created by PETA that have never been displayed anywhere but in a news article--and that's the point of that ad. PETA wants people talking... they don't care if it's good or bad, as long as a conversation is being had. If you're hating on PETA, in some way you're still thinking about the animals. If you're loving PETA, you're still thinking about the animals. I'd say this most recent ad has accomplished their goals. Want to shut down PETA, don't talk about them.

[FLyellowdog]

1. Doesn't Sarah Palin sort of do the same thing? nt

[justiceischeap]

2. As do many other people

Except I don't think Palin actually plans her bad publicity.

[FLyellowdog]

4. Let's hope not...

[etherealtruth]

3. PETA is genius at bringing attention to PETA

... bringing attention to their purported cause ... not so much.

Their asinine stunts cause folk to talk about them ... people are not talking about factory farming, animal cruelty ... they talk about PETA

[Voice for Peace]

34. I think I agree about this -- it's a great cause and they have done good work

but .. it reminds me of Code Pink. Great efforts and
causes -- but using tactics that give fuel to the opposition,
especially via ridicule.

[yewberry]

5. I've been surprised for years that people fail to understand this.

Even after having it pointed out to them repeatedly, they won't get it. It's kind of amazing.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

28. Einstein: "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about

the former."

[dionysus]

6. whats the deal with them euthanizing a shitload of animals though?

[seabeyond]

7. Well then, fans can feel justified with their racism, sexism, target kids. Good to know racism is ok

When we back it. None of us are stupid. We are well aware they lack integrity to play a game for a buck. Some of us have a line we never cross.

[dionysus]

8. whats the racism angle? i've noticed the other two...

[seabeyond]

9. i am beyond belief that we dismiss this as just a means for attention. isnt that what westboro does?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4003873

[dionysus]

10. OMG.. i didn't see that.. wish i hadn't....

[seabeyond]

11. since it is all about the buck for them, how many people will send in $10 because of KKK

outfits?

you go outrageous to get a few bucks. who is giving them the money for dressing up as KKK

[dionysus]

12. and they kill tons of animals at their "shelters" as well. someone is getting rich off of suckers...

[Beaverhausen]

19. Tons? Got a link for that?

And not the Richard Berman "PETA kills animals" one either. Thanks.

[dionysus]

32. maybe its an outlier.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8255324/

[Beaverhausen]

35. From 2005

Yes an outlier. The two people mentioned in the article were fired.

[justiceischeap]

22. They don't have "shelters" at all

They are pro euthanasia, it's not a secret they are pro euthanasia. They offer humane methods of euthanasia.

The majority of the animals they euthanize are in North Carolina--and the common practice of euthanasia is shown in the video below. They spend time with the animal, they feed them, they give them love and then they euthanize humanely. It isn't PETA's fault that people purchase animals and then abandon them.

[justiceischeap]

21. I don't think comparing the AKC to the KKK is racism at all

they also did a Holocaust display that many found tasteless. That doesn't mean they hate Jews.

I agree there are some lines that should never be crossed that doesn't make my OP any less valid.

[seabeyond]

23. using racism, using sexism, using children, using the holocaust to get a buck, are bottomfeeders. nt

[JI7]

13. i don't think about Animals much when i think of PETA

[etherealtruth]

27. Exactly

[Matariki]

14. Tactics of a two year old.

Since when is being "talked about" the same as being useful or relevant? They don't seem to understand that.

[1000words]

15. Have you ever heard the expression:

No such thing as bad press? As long as they are talking ...

[seabeyond]

16. telll that to new coke. or how about that pasta brand that recently had the world against them.

as i said in another post. that is a lazy and stupid saying that the failed PR people use to make themselves feel better. plenty of companies are hurt with bad pr. fact adn history tell us so. i am really sick and tired of that over used little nothing to get away with wrong behavior. and ya. racism is a wrong behavior. even for a dollar.

[Matariki]

36. +1

[Ikonoklast]

17. Bad press puts companies out of business. Bad press kills political careers.

Bad press cost Limbaugh millions in sponsor's ad money.

[1000words]

18. PETA is in the business of creating publicity

They're really pretty good at it.

[justiceischeap]

20. Yet almost 30 years later PETA is still going strong. nt

[MicaelS]

25. It just proves that there a lot of stupid people out there.

Some people will fall for any line of bullshit.

[Ikonoklast]

31. Doing what? They accomplish nothing, except existing.

So easy ignored by just about everyone, because previous bad press outed them as loons.

[seabeyond]

33. they get enough $ for the top to live pretty comfortably. nt

[HappyMe]

24. Their nasty stunts don't make me

think about any animals. I just think about what offensive asshats they are and move on.

[SidDithers]

26. Sounds like Westboro Church...

Put out a press release that Westboro will be picketing some funeral.
Watch the subsequent outrage.
Don't show up at funeral.
???
Profit.


PETA = Fred Phelps.

Sid

[greatlaurel]

29. This group gives all humane and green groups a bad name

This group is used to make all humane and green groups look bad by their insulting memes. They are a very clever ploy to take away credibility by getting people to link their behavior with real humane and environmental groups. It is a very successful and powerful operation to discredit real humane and environmental groups. It is a useful tool to use against low information groups especially rural people who have little access to anything other than right wing media. Just another way to alienate rural people and to get them to vote against their economic best interest.

If they were really about protecting animals, they would run no kill shelters and fund spay and neuter clinics. They have enough money according to charity navigator to do real work protecting animals, but they do not. Why not?

Face it folks, this is a massive scam. I wonder which right wing organization came up with the PETA plan. Wake up folks!

[AnotherMcIntosh]

30. What if PETA doesn't cause people to think about animals but Alicia Silverstone?

Isn't that contrary to what the PR firm wants people to be thinking about?