Staples Responds to Sinclair Flap: Thank you for your feedback

E-mail | 1/7/2004 | Me

[Smogger]

First my e-mail to Staples:

From: XXXXXXXX To: Subject: Staples Pulls Advertising From Sinclair Date: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 1:39 PM

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 corporate 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,

----------------------

Now Staple's response:

From: "Staples" To: XXXXXXX Subject: Thank you for your feedback Date: Friday, January 07, 2005 11:03 AM

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. Our media buying process with Sinclair Broadcasting stations has recently been misrepresented by an organization with no affiliation to Staples. Staples regularly drops and adds specific programs from our media buying schedule, as we evaluate and adjust how to best reach our customers. We do not let political agendas drive our media buying decisions.

Staples does not support any political party. We advertise with a variety of media outlets, but do not necessarily share the same views of these organizations or what they report. As we have done for a number of years, Staples will continue to advertise on Sinclair Broadcasting stations.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.

Staples

[Smogger]

I appreciated the prompt response on their part.

[L98Fiero]

Some people still prefer to believe liberal groups, though. Some people are still going to boycott them even though they stated they would continue to advertize on Sinclair. What would be the point of such a boycott? Certainly not to change policy or right a wrong but simply out of spite. Sad really, IMHO.

[Wicket]

I agree. If a business responds to legitimate concerns, then you should continue to buy from that Biz. The tricky bit on Staples is that their initial response was that they were not going to advertise with Sinclair because of concerns expressed, their second was they advertise w/o succumbing to political pressure. Which, do you suppose, should we believe?

[Retired Chemist]

I received the exact same reply from Staples

[wildbill]

I got the same response.

[fastattacksailor]

same response here......

[Cableguy]

Excellent email on your part. Any corporations who alienates 1/2 or more of the country is just asking for trouble.

[TaxRelief]

Staples showed evidence of caving into the Loud Regressive Liberal Movement (LRLM) when it initiated Homosexual Partner benefits for its employees in 2004.

Can we trust this purported backpedaling...?