Call FCC, Sinclair, and advertisers. I did. WOW!

[PretzelWarrior]

Hey guys,

I just want to let you know that I truly believe we can keep this in the news AND make headway by calling the numbers people have been throwing around.

****************************************************************
NOTE: you should email this and other numbers to some friends and family not reading DU. Or link them to other discussion boards you participate on.
**************************************************************** Here's what I've done so far:

I emailed FCC at [e-mail] I also sent the form from the third party site that also lodges your complaint with FCC. I also called them today at:

FCC 1-888-225-5322

ON EDIT: I'm including Federal Elections Commission number here too.

FEC 1-888-424-9530

I was very polite, but I was firm that I wanted them to seriously consider action against what amounts to a breech of the people's trust as they unfairly use airwaves to broadcast free campaign ads for Bush. The woman said it is a VERY busy day for them. Keep it up. Let them know what side you stand on.

Secondly, I called the SINCLAIR BROADCAST HEADQUARTERS. I didn't want to get in their face. I just asked for a consumer affairs/customer service person (which was the person answering my call). I then told her in about 3 sentences why I was so upset with their decision to persuade/force affiliates to run this anti-Kerry broadcast. I asked that my complaint be lodged formally. She said it was. End of call. Others may have a different take. I did the soft sell. Important thing is NUMBERS.........call VOLUME

Sinclair Broadcasting: 1-410-568-1500

Finally, as a person who has bought 2 new Toyota cars, I felt it was important to call Toyota Motors Corp.

Toyota: 1-800-331-4331

I spoke to a guy about my willingness to go purchase a new car from competitor. Apparently our calls have gotten them "on script" where they say they buy for NETWORK-WIDE not just Sinclair stations and it would hurt a wider audience than Sinclair. I said it was their obligation to listen to their customers and that there are times when we must take this kind of asymmetric action against an advertiser to make our point.

He mentioned calling the FCC and FEC. I said I'd called one and the FEC had complaints brought by multiple parties on the issue. Finally, I said....I'd hate to not buy a Toyota, but bottom line is if this show airs..whether they think it's their fault or not....I'm not buying a Toyota and could he pass along my complaint.

QUESTION: What has worked for you guys? What are you saying that seems to get some headway with these folks?

[lil-petunia]

1. Iams, Toyota, GM, P&G. Domino's Pizza, and Sylvan

all responded nicely. A couple said that they were getting a lot of calls, and they also agreed with the message being sent to their corpses.

[Jackpine Radical]

6. Dominoes Pizza

has always been a RW Wacko company, big $$ to Pugs & RW causes. We oughtta boycott them on general principles.

[lil-petunia]

9. Chicago is pizza heaven NO ONE in their right minds orders theirs.

Heck, our pizza is better than ANYONE else's.

But I called them anyway.

[DeadHead67]

12. I saw the guy that owns Domino's on the Mother Angelica network. . . .

. . .old line catholic, right wing, and anti-abortion. I won't call that 'pro-life' cause they aren't, since they love war and executions. I happened to watch Religion and Ethics News Weekly on PBS Sunday, and they did a segment on the catholic vote. That vote is no longer monolithic. While some catholics will vote for Satan as long as he's anti-abortion, many will consider all the issues. The thing that amazed me the most about what I saw was footage of a Mass somewhere, with Knights of Columbus in full drag, with their ostrich plume Napoleon hats and DRAWN SWORDS marching down the aisle of the church!!! What the F. . . .

[Anaxamander]

15. You're goddamn right about that!

There was a Dominoe's Pizza I used to drive by all the time that had BIBLE VERSES on their fucking sign outside.

[funkybutt]

17. I've been boycotting them for like 15 years

since hearing a RUMOR that they funded anti-choice causes. there's plenty of other pizza places.

[debatepro]

25. Ya they are pretty much the enemy

nm

[PretzelWarrior]

26. Dominos is to pizza what NKOB is to singing

LOL.

[DesEtoiles]

2. don't forget to mention - buy no tickets to Toyota Center in Houston

[liveoaktx]

3. I told the rep I talked with at Midas that even though she might

not control personally what a local station did with the advertising, overall having Midas not taking steps to explicitly separate from stations that are unethical and probably illegal is vital to people's perception of them. Suppose it was a Ku Klux Klan program with Midas association-think the network level, even though one-off from local advertising, would not be on the horn immediately to protect/salvage their reputation?

[PA Democrat]

4. The woman I spoke with from the FCC was very nice

We had a nice conversation about how poorly the corporate media had been covering the real issues of this presidential campaign. She also suggested that I call the FEC at 1 800-424-9530.

Edited to correct phone number.

[PretzelWarrior]

5. I'm editing your FEC number in. Thanks!

x

[tishaLA]

8. This number requires a pin number

so I don't get anywhere.

[tishaLA]

7. The FCC said they wouldn't discuss this on the phone

and that they "were looking into it" and I should go to the website. That really pissed me off. I asked whether they were looking into that like they looked into things last year when they voted in favor of further media conglomeration and monopolization. The woman was really unpleasant and I responded in kind.

[havocmom]

10. Get more bang for you buck: Send letters and calls to Sales Managers

They will do the hammering for us with their bosses.

[PretzelWarrior]

11. how can we make it easier for letter writing?

I agree. there's nothing like getting a letter on their desk to show our sincerity.

Can we get an address list going for the sales departments of these places?

[havocmom]

18. Do a DU search. Somebody posted some addresses yesterday

[BUSHOUT]

13. KICK! N/T

[PretzelWarrior]

14. thanks

:kick:

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

16. Kick!

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

20. With

Toyota, I suggest threatening to buy a Hyundai instead. Toyota recently lost out to Hyundai in the Initial Quality Rankings. They dropped from 2nd to 3rd. Hyundai also hired their quality control guy about 5 years ago and now you see the impact that had! Threatening them with buying a Hyundai instead , would be BIG. Hyundai is quickly eating up market share.



On edit: Spelling

[spartan61]

21. I called Toyota this morning

and told them we are car shopping. (It's really true.) I told the rep from Toyota that we are deciding between a Toyota and a Kia and if this anti-Kerry film is aired and Toyota doesn't use their clout against Sinclair, then my decision will be an easy one. I will have no choice but to purchase a new Kia. They even gave me a case # and said the calls about Sinclair are being kept separate from their other calls. Toyota is taking this seriously.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

23. On a side note, Kia

is now owned by Hyundai. Great choice!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

22. Camry AND Tundra owner here

I agree. I am going to call Toyota.

[PretzelWarrior]

24. they can check you out and find out you're legit.

that is the BEAUTY of marketplace. we can have lots of pressure applied. That is good.