Posted on 01/05/2005 1:24:15 PM PST by AMDG
Office-supply retailer Staples Inc. is pulling its advertising from news programming on Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. television stations, saying the decision was fueled in part by e-mails from customers angry at what they consider to be the broadcaster's right-wing bias in news and commentary.
The Hunt Valley-based Sinclair drew attention and criticism from some quarters in the weeks leading up to November's presidential election for airing parts of "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal," a film critical of Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry and his war record.
Staples, which has 1,400 stores, will continue to buy advertising during other programs on Sinclair's 62 stations but, as of Jan. 10, no longer will advertise during news programs, which include "The Point," a daily conservative commentary by Sinclair Vice President Mark E. Hyman.
Advertising during Sinclair's news programs accounts for "a very small part of the overall buy," said Staples spokesman Owen Davis, who would not disclose the publicly traded company's ad budget.
Sinclair chief executive David D. Smith said he was unaware of Staples' decision. Smith -- whose father, Julian Sinclair Smith, founded Sinclair in 1971 -- said he has received no complaints from advertisers regarding the broadcaster's news and commentary programming. The publicly owned company is controlled by the Smith family and owns more television stations than any other company, networks included.
"No one from Staples has called me," David Smith said. "I think I would eventually hear about it if and when it happens."
Since December, Sinclair has been targeted by Media Matters for America, a liberal media group, which claimed the company was abusing the public airwaves to promote a conservative agenda and not offering politically balanced news. . . . . . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Dear Sirs:
I recently came across and article in the Washington Post which read in part:
"Office-supply retailer Staples Inc. is pulling its advertising from news programming on Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. television stations, saying the decision was fueled in part by e-mails from customers angry at what they consider to be the broadcaster's right-wing bias in news and commentary."
You should be aware that by aligning yourself with far-left groups such as Media Matters for America and MoveOn.org you have effectively alienated the majority of you coporate and small business customers who are likely conservative and consider such groups to be part of the lunatic fringe.
Furthermore, as this information circulates on the Internet I would expect that you will see a substantial number of corporate and small business customers directed to look elsewhere for their office supplies. I for one am going downstairs to talk to purchasing right now. There is, after all, usually a less politically biased Office Max or Office Depot right next to your stores.
Thank You,
Since Staples is going to continue to advertise on other programming perhaps they are playing the ratings game?? It is no secret that network and news slots pull a smaller rating than other programming. So before we jump the gun and assume Staples is pulling out sponsorship of news programming because of political philosophy is perhaps premature.
I am sure there are other advertisers who may benefit from the slot available so I don't see Sinclair broadcasting going down the tubes. Advertisers continually tweak their ads to try to get the most benefit for their buck. I detect paranoia on the part of a few ultra conservatives who fear someone may be stealing their thunder. We shall see.
Simplifies my choices. My businesses have purchased a ton of supplies from Staples over the past four years. Effective today, Staples no longer needs my business or money.
My letter, which I think is cute:
I just read this article in the Washington Post titled "Staples Pulls Advertising From Sinclair":
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48745-2005Jan4?language=printer
I was not, until now, aware of your corporation's activist stance. I'm afraid that I cannot support your views, and will have to begin buying my small business office supplies from Office Depot.
It's ironic that, since your store is directly across the street from theirs, my buying decisions have been made by the choice between a right turn and a left turn. Knowing now that your corporation would prefer only left turns, I will go shopping where my right turns are tolerated.
Just sent them an e-mail letting them know that I won't be shopping with them any longer BUMP!!
My email to Staples:
I regret that you have succumbed to pressure from a liberal, Democratic Party group and pulled your ads from Sinclar's news programs.
Your advertising group has shot your company in the foot and you will suffer because of it. You should have just let things be, for, as Michael Jordan noted when asked to take political sides- there are just as many Republicans as Democrats and they all buy shoes.
I can only voice my protest since I am now retired and purchase infrequently from Staples, but were I still in working, I would insure we avoided purchasing anything from your company, since there are fine competitors who do just as well.
I will make my opinion known to my friends who are in a better position to influence your decision.
BTW, before retiring my budget was 2.5 billion dollars, which would buy a lot of pens.
I sent a snail mail to the president of Staples, Ron Sargent, 500 Staples Drive
Framingham, MA 01702, asking him why Staples chose to take a stand against Americans who spent years in Vietnam POW camps? I wondered if Staples would treat our Iraq War veterans with such disrespect 35 years from now. I suggested that he watch "Stolen Honor" if he hasn't already.
I would like to know exactly how many customers (companies) are operated by the anti capitalists from Moveon and common cause. I find it hard to believe that an email campaign and petition sponsored by those groups would prove the demographics of a huge loss of business for Staples. Just because a letter is recieved don't mean the author has ever made a purchase. So loss of business is pure speculation and not statistically supported.
Smart management would surely understand the demographics of pro business customers. I find no reason for my business to boycott Staples until hard evidence is shown that Staples folded to anti growth socialist factions.
If the numbers start to drop, locate another market. Until then I say business as usual and operate the company with brains and not emotions.
Keep up the good work on the "boycott." If you'd like to know what places to avoid, here's the info.
http://www.staples-locator.com/
Darn. Now I'll have to go all the way to the next block and use Office Max...
I've never been to Staples, now I have a reason not to go.
thank you for providing the email contact information for staples. I just sent them the following email:
I just read an excerpt from a Washington Post article that said that you are pulling your advertising from news programming on Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. It is apparent you have caved to pressure from left wing groups such as Moveon.org and Media Matters for America. I hope those groups can send you lots of business to make up for the lack of it that you will be seeing from patriotic citizens who actually care about this country, rather than hating it.
You do not have any stores near where I live in Illinois, so I haven’t patronized any stores locally. However, my Mom lives in New Bern, NC, and I have bought a number of items in the Staples in New Bern while visiting her. I certainly will no longer do that, and by copy of this email, I will inform her of your actions, and request that she, and other like-minded patriotic residents of New Bern that she informs, also stop purchasing at the Staples store. I am so happy for the existence of the internet, because it can multiply my efforts geometrically.
You see, I happen to believe that the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were telling exactly that: the TRUTH about John Kerry. About his self-inflicted slight wounds, and lies in his action reports, all designed to get his butt out of Vietnam in the minimum time possible – as it happens, right around 4 months. I don’t think they had an agenda other than their refusal to let Mr. Kerry perpetuate lies about his service in Vietnam, and I think they had the future of this country in mind as they took the gutsy step to go public with the TRUTH. And I think it was an equally gutsy move for Sinclair Broadcasting to air segments of “Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal”, in an attempt to let the American people see the TRUTH, and decide for themselves about Mr. Kerry’s record.
Sorry that Staples as a company doesn’t see it that way, and chooses to pull their advertising business from Sinclair. In a like manner, I will do what I can to inform others of your action, and I hope enough of them join me in pulling our business from Staples, to let you know that your actions have consequences also, for your bottom line, and your share price.
Sincerely,
Also, I happened to see that Staples' share price is down 5% from the recent highs. May that only be the start. Keep those cards and letters flowing in their direction!
Unfortunately we have 2 Staples stores but no Office Depot in our area.
Then I also assume Staples that you will no longer advertise on the left-wing biased news like ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NYT, LAT, etc...?
You can always shop online...
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