Rolling Stone Bans Bible Ad

http://www.newsmax.com/ ^ | Jan 18 05 | http://www.newsmax.com/

[churchillbuff]

Rolling Stone magazine rejected an ad from the nation's largest Bible publisher, USA Today reports Tuesday.

Though the message doesn't mention God, it does tout publisher Zondervan's new Bible translation aimed at "spiritually intrigued 18-to-34-year-olds."

"The magazine rejected Zondervan's Bible ad just weeks before its scheduled run date, citing an unwritten policy against accepting ads containing religious messages," the paper noted.

USA Today reported that Zondervan executives say the entertainment magazine was key in its $1 million campaign to reach young adults who have rarely, if ever, seen Bible ads before. Surveys show that 53 percent of this age group read the Bible less than once a year or never, although they are huge buyers of books on spiritual and religious themes.

Today's New International Version of the Bible (TNIV) is a modern English translation from Zondervan, publisher of the world's best-selling English translation, the 1978 New International Version. The TNIV features updated language and scholarship.

The ad features a young male unsure about life. The ad copy says the Bible is "real truth" in a world of "endless media noise and political spin."

USA Today said Rolling Stone was angry about the ad's slogan: "Timeless Truth; Today's Language."

"And that assertion of 'truth' evidently triggered the rebuff from Rolling Stone," the paper said.

[TitansAFC]

So I am to understand we could search through recent Rolling Stones magazines and find no ads for psychics, tarot, Scientology, yoga, etc.?

I'd really have to see this to belive it.

[beansox]

wanna bet they have several ads promting homosexuality and abortion!

[GeekDejure]

Would they run an ad for the Islamic BuyBull (the Koran) ??? ;-))

[Fintan]

I wouldn't worry too much. Rolling Stone still thinks U2 is the greatest rock and roll band in the world.

[carlr]

"USA Today reported that Zondervan executives say the entertainment magazine was key in its $1 million campaign to reach young adults who have rarely, if ever, seen Bible ads before."

Well its a privately run magazine so I suppose they can put what they wan`t in it.
Anything is worth a try I guess,just don't know if advertising the Bible in what is close to a porn magazine, sometimes, is a very effective strategy or wise use of money.

[My2Cents]

I can understanding Zondervan's essential marketing reasoning here, but to advertise in Rolling Stone is probably money down a rat hole.

[LisaMalia]

ACLU? Hello? Hello? Is this thing on??????????

[newzjunkey]

I have an unwritten policy not to buy a MUSIC magazine that puts John F'n Kerry and Al Gore on its covers.

[MarineBrat]

just don't know if advertising the Bible in what is close to a porn magazine, sometimes, is a very effective strategy or wise use of money.

Maybe they consider it to be a target rich environment. :)

[Arkinsaw]

Do people really buy magazines anymore? And if so, why? I can get all the info I need on the net for free, and fresher. I have no idea why people still buy TIME or Newsweek since they are week-old news by the time they come out. They keep getting thinner, and pricier as time goes by.

[Billthedrill]

Zondervan just needs to do a little market research here. If they were flogging Bibles to ancient, geriatric rocker wannabes, then Rolling Stone is the place to do it.

RS is certainly within its rights, but turning away advertisers is not always the best business decision for a magazine with declining numbers.

[Lurking Libertarian]

just don't know if advertising the Bible in what is close to a porn magazine, sometimes, is a very effective strategy or wise use of money.

There is a very funny passage in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (I haven't read it in years, so my memory may be off) where a woman explains that they leave Bibles in hotel rooms because that's where people go to sin and those are the people who need to repent.

[Graymatter]

"And that assertion of 'truth' evidently triggered the rebuff from Rolling Stone," ...

"What is truth?" /s

[DJ MacWoW]

just don't know if advertising the Bible in what is close to a porn magazine, sometimes, is a very effective strategy or wise use of money.

Sometimes you have to go where you're needed. I would bet that most that read Rolling Stone have never been to Sunday School or heard Bible stories. My baby boomer generation at least knew WHAT they were rejecting. Sadly, a lot of younger people only know what they've been told about the Bible by people who have never read it either. I actually had a librarian in her 40's tell me the Bible was full of violence and contradictions....her friend told her so and he'd read it once. Anyway, my point is that to pique someones curiosity, you may have to go where they are.

[atomicpossum]

Rolling Stone? It's still AROUND? Didn't it disappear in a cloud of doobie smoke about 1983?

[cricket]

"I have no idea why people still buy TIME or Newsweek since they are week-old news by the time they come out. They keep getting thinner, and pricier as time goes by."

I do. . I love magazines; love to read them; carry them from one place to another. . .love to save the really good ones. . .easy pick-up anywhere. . .anytime.

Internet is great and read some on-line; but love the 'presence' and convenience. . .of real paper. . .

[Paved Paradise]

"I wouldn't worry too much. Rolling Stone still thinks U2 is the greatest rock and roll band in the world."


You mean they're not? I love that band. Whom do you think is better? Just wonderin'.

[WildTurkey]

I actually had a librarian in her 40's tell me the Bible was full of violence

If Noah's flood and the Tower of Babel weren't examples of violence, I don't know what are.

[WildTurkey]

Oh yeah. Those pesky plagues, also.