Posted on 01/06/2005 8:56:23 AM PST by Just Another Guy
Politics plays no role in ad buys, Staples insists By Greg Gatlin Thursday, January 6, 2005
Staples Inc. is distancing itself from an activist group's claim that the office supply retailer will no longer advertise on Sinclair Broadcast Group's TV station newscasts, saying it wasn't a political decision. Sinclair is the Maryland-based broadcaster that made headlines this fall for plans to air a controversial program attacking U.S. Sen. John Kerry [related, bio] (D-Mass.) just days before the presidential election. Media Matters, a left-leaning media watchdog group, praised Staples on Tuesday for what it said was a decision to stop broadcasting on newscasts of 62 stations owned by Sinclair. Media Matters said Framingham-based Staples cited an effort to be responsive to customer concerns about ``Sinclair's injection of partisan conservative politics into its nightly newscasts.'' But a Staples spokesman said yesterday that ``there's been a misrepresentation.'' ``Clearly (Media Matters) has a political agenda,'' spokesman Paul Capelli said. ``We've been positioned as being part of a political agenda. Staples is an apolitical company.'' Staples' management team has a variety of political leanings. Chairman Tom Stemberg is active in Republican circles. Chief Executive Ron Sargent is described as fiercely independent. It's true that Staples doesn't plan to advertise on Sinclair station newscasts, Capelli said. But, he said that decision was a media-buying decision that had nothing to do with politics. He said the station does plan to advertise on Sinclair stations, just not on local newscasts. Still, David Brock, with Media Matters, said Staples told the group its decision to stop ads on Sinclair newscasts was based in part on complaints from customers. That was echoed by another Staples spokesman in published reports yesterday. Capelli wouldn't say whether Staples might buy ads on Sinclair station newscasts in the future.
I'm in. Any company, entertainer or organization that caves or joins those leftist bottom feeders is off my list.
Great Work - I second that - Almost success. Way to go!
Hello, Office Max!
This can't be repeated or emphacized enough!
I thought office max wouldn't allow the salvation army in front of the store just like target?
When I talked to them, I requested a public statement saying their reason for pulling ads was not because of politics. I'm glad to see this, but still P.O'd at them.
Can you post their email address.
I emailed them already; told them I'd bought 90% of the office supplies for my businesses from the local Staples since it opened. Also explained that I'd be buying across the street at OfficeMax going forward. Let's see how the business community's dollars break with regard to liberal and conservative.
This is actually the PERFECT company to make an example out of. Their business is HEAVILY dependent on business buyers, and they need to be shown that they couldn't even keep their doors open on liberal business.
MM
Years ago my Father impressed upon me the difference between Conservatives and Liberals, Conservatives want everyone to be rich, Liberals want everyone to be poor. The moral to this, at least in this instance, Conservatives make the most money and thus spend more. For any store who's lifeblood is to make money (legally), to alienate 80+ percent of it's customer base equals a soon to be Bankrupt company.
I never heard that. Guess I'll shop online then.
You can call Staples HQ at 877-235-9088.
Let them know that they should not allow the Marxist that cannot win at the ballot box to dictate corporate advertising. Also inform them that business tend to be conservative, and mental and welfare cases tend to be liberal. So they may shooting themselves in the foot if they pull their ads from a conservative station.
Just E-mailed Staples. Advised I will be shopping at Office Depot.
Staples gets nothing from me.
Ron Sargent is fiercely independent, but he has no record supporting any candidate, including "fierce" independents.
The last donation, including soft money from Tom Stemberg was in 2001. How active is that?
Here's my contact with Staples over this when the flap began.
I am a Staples customer, at the South Portland, Maine Staples. I have been a long time customer, so much so, that your staff recognizes and greets me in the busiest shopping area in Maine.
I was shocked and disappointed to hear that Staples is pulling its advertising from the Sinclair Group on the recommendation of Move On.org, MediaChannel, Working Assets, among others. Move On is a leftist anti business organization whose manifesto is best understood by watching a Michael Moore film festival. Working Assets is a socialist organization which it antithical to the Staples business plan…and mine.
I am tired of having conservative perspectives continually attacked and silenced by these and other left-wing organizations. People like me and MANY OTHERS with traditional values and conservative, pro business perspectives are constantly fighting even to obtain a seat at the table of dialog. These organizations and others like them do not permit any other perspective other than a leftist, anti-business, pro-entitlement, large government one.
I will now take my business to the new Office Max that has opened in South Portland. I don’t want to …I like Staples, but I will no longer tolerate having my values and perspective silenced.
I went to their website and wrote a note saying I wouldn't shop there anymore because of the Washington Post article (I gave them the link). Here's their reply:
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