verizon pitbull commercial

[bleh60]

I know we have some pittie owners and lovers here, not to mention BSL fighting is breed specific at all. I am passing this info on from another board about verizons new commercial using pitbulls as junkyard/guard dogs. We have enough crap in the media and from BSL. Please let them know how you feel about the way they portray the breed.

If you'd like to see the clip its still on youtube.
YouTube - Verizon TV ad for the new LG DARE phone!

and sign the petition.
Make Verizon Accountable. Can They Hear Us Now? - The Petition Site

to write to them:

Bill Kula, APR

Director-Media Relations

Verizon Communications Inc.

600 Hidden Ridge, HQEO4L37

Irving, TX 75038

972-718-6924 (o), 214-789-1644 (cell), 972-718-0184 (fax)

william.kula@verizon.com

Brenda.Raney@verizonwireless.com

[MarleysMama]

Thank you for sharing :) I have signed and passed it along.

[BeauandShan]

I have signed and passed it on.

[Bear's mommy]

Shouldn't they have used a dachshund since they were just said to be the #1 most aggressive dog and most likely to bite? It would have made a much cuter commercial.

Seriously, it is really sad that they used a dog that already has enough bad publicity. Thanks for sharing.

Leslie

[jakesfostermom]

Thanks for the email addresses - I just wrote them - I'd copy & paste here - but it's long winded I did ask them to consider shooting a version II of this same commercial, with possibly the #1 breed of dog for being a "biter" portrayed - and also asked that they do some public education at the end of their commercial, about NOT ever chaining a dog, of any breed, at any time, for any reason.

I get so disheartened because we all know the dogs in this commerical are HIGHLY trained and likely have OUTSTANDING temperaments.........but that is always lost on Joe Public and these companies never qualify that or attempt to use the chance to do some educating of Joe Public.

I'll come back and let you know if I hear anything back.

[webangel2b]

Thats right Vic. No matter the fact that these dogs are awesome in their own right - the uneducated public will say... "see that's why you can't have THAT breed from the pound" No we have to leave them there to DIE!

Grrrrrrrrr!

[jakesfostermom]

I GOT A REPLY!!!!! Copied & Pasted for all to see:

Vicki -- To streamline things for folks who want to express their
comments, it's best they send it to Verizon Wireless, a unit of Verizon
that I don't represent so the contact information you've been provided
is not right.

I've already relayed your note, as I've done with others on this same
topic, to Brenda Raney, executive director of media relations for
Verizon Wireless. She's at brenda.raney@verizonwireless.com.

On behalf of our wireless unit, I know it regrets you found the
commercial disturbing and distasteful. It was absolutely not the unit's
intent to reflect a negative image with its advertisement, and I can
assure Verizon Wireless meant no purposed slander of American Pit Bull
Terriers in its commercial.

I do appreciate you taking time out of your day to express your
comments. They are in the right hands over at Verizon Wireless. -- Bill

Bill Kula, APR
Director-Media Relations
Verizon Communications Inc.
600 Hidden Ridge, HQEO4L37
Irving, TX 75038
972-718-6924 (o), 214-789-1644 (cell), 972-718-0184 (fax)

[jakesfostermom]

I thought I'd thank him for setting me straight on his email not being the 'right' contact. Here's my note back
**********
Thank you Mr. Kula - for forwarding my note on to the proper contact. I have also made my fellow dog friends aware that we were given your email address in error. I know you can understand that most of us see "Verizon" as one and the same - much like the general public sees all "Pit Bulls" as one and the same ;o)

I do appreciate your time and comments!

Vicki

[jakesfostermom]

....and just in to my email inbox - another reply (which seems carefully worded from a legal eagle for a standard reply to anyone writing on this commercial) from another Verizon contact:
*********

Dear Vicki,

Thank you for your comments. We value your feedback and appreciate your
taking the time to share it with us.

We regret that you found our commercial disturbing or distasteful in any
way. It was certainly not our intent to reflect a negative image with
our advertisement.

We will quickly forward your concern to our Marketing Department for
review.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you.

Steve Schwed
Executive Relations Supervisor
Verizon Wireless

[bleh60]

thank you all for signing and sending it around.

yes I got that same reply back.^ I hope they get they picture here.

[JonandMichelle]

Originally Posted by jakesfostermom

....and just in to my email inbox - another reply (which seems carefully worded from a legal eagle for a standard reply to anyone writing on this commercial) from another Verizon contact:
*********

Dear Vicki,

Thank you for your comments. We value your feedback and appreciate your
taking the time to share it with us.

We regret that you found our commercial disturbing or distasteful in any
way. It was certainly not our intent to reflect a negative image with
our advertisement.

We will quickly forward your concern to our Marketing Department for
review.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you.

Steve Schwed
Executive Relations Supervisor
Verizon Wireless

They "apologize for any inconvenience" How special of them I will ask them if they could forward their regret of "inconvenience" to the thousands of Pit Bulls who have to die each week due to ignorance fueled by jackass' such as themselves who pay hundreds of thousands for this "type" of creativity in advertisements.

I saw this commercial last week, and I came un-glued I was pissed that we are not with Verizon, because I wanted to drop them and to explain why they lost my business. I hope every dog owner who cares, is involved, or is educated about BSL, and has Verizon drops them like a sack of smelly potatoes. I would be willing to pay the money to break that contract.

[bleh60]

Originally Posted by JonandMichelle

I will ask them if they could forward their regret of "inconvenience" to the thousands of Pit Bulls who have to die each week due to ignorance fueled by jackass' such as themselves who pay hundreds of thousands for this "type" of creativity in advertisements.

Yes, good for you! I hope they get the message. Now I don't feel so bad that I told them not to piss where they eat.(i prefaced it with some other stuff so it didn't sound so impolite and harsh, lol, not that they dont deserve it) I havn't seen the commercial on TV, yet. I hope it isnt up for long.

[Inga]

Alright, I wrote a letter to the powers that be. I doubt it would do any good but who knows. At least if we all try it should let them know it is unacceptable.

[TrinaJ]

THis is my reply to the petition...

Certain dog breeds cop enough flack from the media and BSL without you adding fuel to the fire. Shame on You!!! You are providing the public with negative portrails of the American Pitt Bull. I find this commercial a slap in the face to all responsible dog owners world wide. Perhaps next time Verizon want to blow money on an add that offends they might reconsider and send the cost of producing the offensive add to a rescue shelter for animals.

[moz205]

I have also signed. I also added I have a gorgeous Rottie (ready for TV) that will give up that phone, if they "dare" to ask. They should've turned it into a favorable commercial of how our "dominant" breeds behave when raised by responsible owners. I will also write to the LG company as I am a big fan of theirs. The way I see it, they are adding fuel to BSL.