Jaguar, Land Rover Pull Ads From Gay Media Outlets
Washington DC December 7, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that
Ford’s luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover will stop advertising in
gay publications in what Ford says is "purely a business decision,”
reports The Chicago Tribune.
The American Family Association, an interest
group based in Tupelo, Miss., called for a boycott of Ford in late May over
what it called the company’s "homosexual agenda," including marketing
to gays, donations to gay causes, and diversity training for its employees.
The boycott was suspended in June after Ford dealers complained it was
hurting them the most.
Advertising executive Todd Evans says gay buying
power will hit $610 billion this year.
FORD STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY AND ADVERTISING
Dearborn , Mich. , Dec. 7 – Ford's commitment to diversity as an
employer and corporate citizen remains unchanged. We have employment
policies that are second to none regarding our commitment to inclusion.
Any suggestion to the contrary is just plain wrong.
Advertising decisions for all our brands are driven strictly by
a business case, including Volvo, which has decided to market directly
to the gay and lesbian community.