It's Working! Sylvan Learning Center pulls ads from Sinclair

[Killarney]

According to Kos

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/10/12/121355/52
Sylvan Learning Center pulls ads from Sinclair
by Rakkasan
Tue Oct 12th, 2004 at 16:32:54 GMT

(From the diaries. A great morale boost and proof that our efforts are paying off -- kos)
As directed in this forum I sent emails to an advertiser saying that I enjoyed their products but that I was no longer going to use them, and that none of my friends and family were going to use them either because they advertised on Sinclair stations. I went on to tell them why I had a problem with Sinclair as well.

A few minutes ago I received a call from them telling me they were PULLING their advertising from the Sinclair stations.

[Bluzmann57]

1. HOORAY!

Great news. Hopefully more companies will jump on the bandwagon and Sinclair will suffer.

[rndmprsn]

2. thats good news

i'm writing more letters this afternoon

[ronnykmarshall]

8. Any info where I can help?

Links? Addresses?

[Killarney]

9. HERE YOU GO!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1042241

thanks :)

[rebel_liberal]

25. List of Local TV Stations to Boycott

Here's a list of the stations Sinclair Broadcasting owns. Let's Turn them off.

WLOS 13, Asheville, N.C.
WBFF 45, Baltimore, Md.
WTTO 21, Birmingham, Ala.
WUTV 29, Grand Island, N.Y.
WNYO 49, Grand Island, N.Y.
KGAN 88, Cedar Rapids, Ia.
WICD 15, Champaign, Ill.
WICS 20, Springfield, Ill.
WMMP 36, Charleston, S.C.
WCHS 8, Charleston, W. Va.
WSTR 64, Cincinnati, Ohio
WSYX 6, Columbus, Ohio
WKEF 22, Dayton, Ohio
KDSM 17, Des Moines, Ia.
WSMH 66, Flint, Mich.
WXLV 45, Winston-Salem, N.C.
KSMO 31, Kansas City, Kan.
KVWB 21, Las Vegas
KFBT 33, Las Vegas
WDKY 56, Lexington, Ken.
WMSN 47, Madison, Wis.
WCGV 24, Milwaukee, Wis.
WVTV 18, Milwaukee, Wis.
KMWB 23, Minneapolis, Minn.
WEAR 3, Pensacola, Fla.
WFGX 35, Pensacola, Fla.
WZTV 17, Nashville, Tenn.
WUXP 30, Nashville, Tenn.
WTVZ 33, Norfolk, Va.
KOCB 34, Oklahoma City, Ok.
KOKH 24, Oklahoma City, Ok.
KBSI 23, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
WYZZ 43, Bloomington, Ill.
WPGH 53, Pittsburgh, Penn.
WCWB 22, Pittsburgh, Penn.
WGME 13, Portland, Maine
WLFL 22, Raleigh, N.C.
WRDC 28, Raleigh, N.C.
WRLH 35, Richmond, Va.
WUHF 31, Rochester, N.Y.
KOVR 13, West Sacramento, Calif.
KABB 29, San Antonio, Calif.
KRRT 35, San Antonio, Calif.
WGGB 40, Springfield, Mass.
KDNL 30, St. Louis, Mo.
WSYT 68, Syracuse, N.Y.
WTWC 40, Tallahassee, Fla.
WEMT 39, Johnson City, Tenn.

[missouri dem]

3. Good work!

one down.

[sherilocks]

4. An incentive for all

to keep plugging on this.

[Blue_Roses]

5. ROCK ON!

that's what I'm talking about :bounce: and some say the people don't run this democracy...shit...

[RollergirlVT]

7. kick

[liberal_in_GA]

6. good news

let's keep the heat on!

:kick:

[rndmprsn]

10. Letter to Applebee's

i'm hitting every Sinclair advertiser right now.


To whom it may concern,

I'm writing you this email to express my concern about Sinclair Broadcasting's decision to pre-empt regular prime-time programming to air a completely inappropriate and partisan attack program against a Presidential candidate just days before an election.

Whatever your political persuasion is this is just wrong and it cannot go un-challenged, i have already sent Sinclair broadcasting several letters expressing my frustration and along with hundreds of thousand of others consumers i have signed numerous legal petitions and filed a complaint @ the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) and FEC (Federal Election Commission), now i am contacting companies that advertise on Sinclair's TV stations.

I have enjoyed your product and services in the past, but i will from now on BOYCOTT your business and advise all my friends and family to do them same unless you and your company withdraw advertising from Sinclair's TV stations...i have learned this morning that SYLVAN LEARNING CENTERS have courageously pulled their ads in protest...i applaud them for their corporate responsibility.

Now, it is up to you and Applebee's to do the same and prove that you have them same ethics and sense of community and national conscience.

It's not only a good business decision, but it's the right thing to do.

Thanks for your time and looking forward to hear your response.

Signed
(A very concerned US citizen)

[ProfessorPlum]

17. Great letter

Here is my variation - I hope you don't mind I took the best bits of yours.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing because it has come to my attention that Sinclair Broadcasting has made a decision to air a non-credible, propagandistic attack on John Kerry mere days before the national election. This decision stinks of using public airwaves for electioneering and partisanship, and I cannot support businesses which advertise with Sinclair.

My family of five frequently enjoys eating at an Applebee’s close to our house, but until I learn that either Sinclair Broadcasting has reversed its decision to air this piece, or that Applebee’s has decided to pull its advertising in protest of this blatant partisanship, we will be boycotting Applebee’s and visiting a nearby Bennigan’s. Bennigan’s does not currently advertise with Sinclair. Other advertisers have already courageously pulled their ads in protest, and I applaud them for their corporate responsibility. It is up to Applebee’s to do the same and prove you have a sense of community spirit, ethics, and fair play.

I look forward to your response. Thank you for your time.

[TwentyFive]

24. My email to Applebee's....

Dear Applebee's,

I am outraged at Sinclair Broadcasting for their plans to produce and televise a John Kerry political hit piece one week before the election.

Sinclair is only in business because advertisers like Applebee's do business with them. I travel a lot and Applebee's is one of my favorite places to eat at. However, if you support a far right-wing political organization such as Sinclair Broadcasting - I will lose my appetite for your food.

Best regards,

[Emboldened Chimp]

11. In related news, Sinclair stock is down another .06, or .81%...

http://quotes.nasdaq.com/quote.dll?page=charting&mode=basics&selected=SBGI

Keep hammering away!

[mac56]

12. Great news!

Remember that advertisers don't generally like controversy attached to their product's name.

[DaveinMD]

13. the owner of Sylvan

is a big Democrat. He gives a lot of money to Democratic candidates.

[realcountrymusic]

14. WOW! Anyone know how to thank them so it gets through? eom

[realcountrymusic]

15. Unfortunately, we may be jumping the gun here

A little research reveals this is unconfirmed except in a phone call from a Tampa branch office to one complainant. Sylvan has not made any formal announcement.

Be careful about getting too excited. Now would be a good time to pepper Sylvan with calls and emails congratulaing them in order to KEEP the pressure on.

RCM

[SoCalDemocrat]

16. POST a LIST of ADVERTISERS

Give us contact info and names of all their advertisers.

[ProfessorPlum]

18. Look here

http://www.boycottsbg.com/advertisers/

[mparker]

27. Thanks for the link

I've sent out around a dozen emails so far to the different companies. I also emailed the CEO of Sinclair and FCC chairman Michael Powell. Let's keep fighting.

[newyawker99]

29. Hi mparker!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Zuni]

19. I have been writing 'Prepare for a major boycott'

in letters to advertisers. I wrote that I am organizing a major boycott in Maryland, and that these companies cannot afford to offend Maryland Democrats, which outnumber Repugs almost 2 to 1.

[deadparrot]

20. Great news! Now, if only some of the bigger companies would follow suit...

[endnote]

21. I don't believe this at all.

They are pulling because ONE guy called and said he's boycott them ? Smells REALLY fishy. This smells like a plant to get us off their backs...

[mac56]

23. You're joking, I'm sure.

nm

[randyrat]

22. Hot doggies!

I am really proud of everyone! Keep it up!

My TiVo is at home right now recording the local Sinclair station (KSMO Kansas City) so that I can update the advertiser list tonight.

Anyway, here is what I am sending out:

I notice that your company buys advertising time on Sinclair owned TV stations which, as you may or may not know, are going to be showing a propaganda peice just days before the elections.

(see http://www.nbc4.com/news/3797658/detail.html)

I am writing to urge your company to use it's advertising dollars elsewhere by pulling your ads from the Sinclair network. These kinds of dirty tricks must not be allowed to continue.

I look forward to your reply.

Randy Rathbun
Independence, MO

I tailor it a bit for national and local advertisers, but the wording is pretty much the same.

[newyawker99]

30. Hi randyrat!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[troubleinwinter]

26. I have filed an FCC complaint,

written Sinclair stations and have been emailing advertisers.

(Having stolen bits from others' emails:)

Subject: Boycott of Sinclair advertisers

I notice that your company buys advertising time on Sinclair owned TV stations.

I'm writing to express my concern about Sinclair Broadcasting's decision to pre-empt regular prime-time programming to air an inappropriate and partisan attack program against a Presidential candidate just days before an election.

I have written Sinclair broadcasting expressing my objection to this inappropriate programming and have filed complaints with the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) and FEC (Federal Election Commission).

My family and friends enjoy your products, but will not purchase them any longer, should your company continue to advertise with Sinclair Broadcasting. I have joined with many thousands of like-minded Americans in this effort.

I urge your company to spend advertising dollars in such a way as to exhibit proper ethics and conscience towards a fair election, and pull advertising from blatantly unfair and partisan Sinclair activities.

I look forward to your reply.

[llywrch]

28. Sinclair Comm is Paying Attention

Poll currently on the front page of WSTR (http://www.wb64.net/cincinnati_oh/station/index.shtml):

"Do you think Sinclair Broadcast Group should run the documentary?"

Not "the Stolen Truth documentary", nor "a proposed newscast" -- "the documentary". They know what the hullabaloo is all about, and they know also that so far the poll is running 70-30 against running the program.

BTW, there's only one company advertising on an otherwise nondescript web page (ignoring the corporate ad in the lower right corner); I missed seeing it the first time I looked at the page. This does not look like the web page of a prosperous company!

Geoff

[American liberal]

31. that's awesome

It all comes down to dollars and sense. Is there a link or a post on DU that lists the primary Sinclair advertisers? I'll write them all!
Thanks for your good works.
Peace,
AL

[Alpharetta]

35. Sinclair advertisers

http://www.boycottsbg.com/advertisers/default.aspx

(I got this off the big alert on the top of the DU page)

[Barney Rocks]

32. Sylvan Learning Centers

are franchises. (A friend of mine just purchased on in Washington State!) The owner of one Center is not necessarily the owner of any other. (Sylvan is run a lot like McDonalds--there is a corporation that keeps everyone on the same page--but each individual center is able to have some discretion in how they run things--dependent on what the owner wants.)

So-it is possible that ONE Sylvan Learning Center has pulled their ads--however--you would have to contact EACH individual Center (in all the areas where these stations are) in order to make sure that all Sylvan Ads are pulled. Just because one store pulls ads--does not mean anything to another Center. Each centers makes individual and discrete advertising decisions.

[sisenor]

33. ANOTHER POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM Tallahassee!

I got a reply from an advertiser I emailed, Here it is:

Dear SI SENOR,

I am truly sorry that Sinclair Broadcasting Group has done this. I strive to excel in all that I do and hope that you will understand my shock when I learned that Sinclair has done this. I had no idea when I chose to advertise with the local NBC 40 that they would do this. I advertise in several ways with numerous companies, none of which struck me in a way to cause alarm. In light of this information, I will not be advertising with Sinclair any more. I called my advertising agent earlier this evening and they will be pulling my advertising effective immediately. To sum this up, I hope that you and your family will not hold the fact that I advertise so that I may obtain business to make a living in this world, something that I know you can understand. I keep politics out of my business and try to focus on providing the best quality real estate service in Tallahassee.

Sincerely,

Jason
Keller Williams Town & Country Realty



FOLKS: SHOW THIS COMPANY SOME LOVE!!!!

[drfemoe]

34. woohoo

Sylvan is first class. They should not support anything less.

Give them Kudos. Write and support their ethics.