10.17.2006

Is This XM Radio Ad Offensive?

Let me know what you think about this advertisement by XM radio. Watch the ad then read the article from Diversity Inc.com.



XM Radio ran a "gold tooth" ad on "60 Minutes" Sunday night—the latest in a string of multicultural missteps that have cost national corporations millions of dollars. Watch the video below:

The ad, which features a "gold-toothed" man and background music from black rapper Snoop Dogg at the very end, is dangerously reminiscent of the one that got Toyota in serious trouble not so long ago.

In 2001, Toyota Motor Co. faced harsh criticism for airing an ad featuring a black man with a gold tooth. At the time, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his RAINBOW/Push Coalition publicly denounced the ad, claiming it was offensive to blacks, and threatened a national boycott on Toyota products. By 2002, the automaker formed a seven-member diversity advisory board to hold Toyota accountable for its diversity commitment.

It remains to be seen whether or not Jackson will take a position on XM's new ad campaign.

The recent ad is part of XM Radio's new multimedia marketing campaign, according to Orbitcast. The campaign, designed by XM's new ad agency, Lowe New York, uses the waves of the XM logo and music from Johnny Cash, The Circle Jerks, Beethoven, Snoop Dogg and other artists. The intent is to draw attention to XM's music offerings.
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:29 PM

    Are you serious? You have to figure out what exactly is wrong with this. I don’t believe its being stereotypical at all but rather using an identifier that’s perpetuated in the hip hop culture at this time. What’s wrong to me are songs that flood our air waves that are destroying young men and women…oh! cant leave out the older kids (30 and up) experiencing their second childhood through such songs as Grills, Im so Icy, and My chain hangs low…WTF! Who cares! If there is anything to be upset about I would have to say the source and the people behind the BS songs that sparks marketing firms, such as Lowe New York, to jump on the bandwagon and exploit a foolish generation.

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  2. Anonymous12:12 PM

    It's so offensive. Pathetic. It's funny as hell is what it is, and no one finds this offensive except for morons with nothing better to do than complete about frivolous matters. Move on with your life and quite wasting everyone's time.

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