Feb18
Announcing PETA's 2008 Litterbox and Glitterbox Winners
Posted at 02:32 PM | Permalink
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Comments (11)
As anyone who's seen our Super Bowl commercial can attest, we know a good ad when we see one. We can also spot a bad advertisement, and when we do, we're not shy about sharing our feelings. Every time we see that a company has incorporated a negative—or positive—message about animals into an ad, we immediately contact it with a nomination for our annual Litterbox or Glitterbox awards. We've sifted through the finalists, and we're excited to announce 2008's winners. Drum roll, please …
In the Litterbox category, for ads that stink:
The Golden Scoop goes to …
Levi Strauss & Co., for exploiting an orangutan in its recent viral video. Undercover investigations at primate training facilities reveal that trainers rip baby great apes away from their mothers and kick, punch, and beat them in order to force them to perform confusing and uncomfortable "tricks" that they don't understand.
The Silver Scoop goes to …
Kansas City International Airport, for its use of a chimpanzee, Kenzie, in an ad that never should have made it off the ground. Chimpanzees can live to be more than 60 years old, but by the age of 8, they become too strong to be handled and are often discarded at roadside zoos, where they can languish in squalor for decades.
And the Bronze Scoop goes to …
Citigroup for featuring a live elephant in its commercial "Safari," which showed an elephant sitting on the hood of a family's rental car. Animal trainers want you to think that elephants are treated with love and care, but if that were the truth, don't you think that elephant trainers would be carrying bags of peanuts instead of bullhooks?
Now, for the best ads of the year:
The Golden Scoop goes to …
Bridgestone and its ad agency the Richards Group for a charming commercial showing that—thanks to dependable tires—animals don't have to be the victims of drivers' love for the open road. Cars kill an estimated 1 million animals every day in the U.S. alone.
The Silver Scoop goes to …
ADT and its ad agency W.B. Doner & Company for showing that the company's Fire Protection Program saves human and animal lives. Dogs are part of the family for about 45 percent of Americans, and it's important to make sure that we take all the necessary steps to protect animals in emergencies.
The Bronze Scoop goes to …
Architex International, for an ad promoting the company's authentic faux-leather line, which features four cows and the tagline "Hey, it's no skin off our backs." As if producing this excellent cruelty-free product wasn't enough, Architex goes above and beyond in this ad to let consumers know why faux is the only way to go.
Here's hoping that all companies decide to follow the lead of progressive companies like Bridgestone, ADT, and Architex International and think outside the "litterbox" with their new ads in 2009. We'll be watching.
Posted by Liz Graffeo
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Comments
Did anyone out there hear about the 15 year old 200 lb. chimpanzee killed for attacking his owner's best friend a couple of days ago? The one who escaped from his cage and attacked when the friend arrived to help put him back in the cage?
The owner stated she did not not know why he did this, he was always treated like a member of the family, ate with the family, watched tv, drank wine from a glass, etc. She does not know why he attacked? He attacked because he was not in fact a human member of the family, he was a chimpanzee, that's why he finally snapped! He was used in movies and television, which basically made him a slave, and he had finally had enough. In the melee that followed, he was stabbed several times by his owner, than shot by a police officer; he then ran back into his enclosure and passed away. When, Oh, Lord, will people learn how to treat Your creations?
Posted by: Rev. Meg | February 18, 2009 02:55 PM
The latest chimp attack is just another reason why animals wild or not do NOT belong where it hurts, the entertainment industry. Thanks to the bridgestone commercial I bought their tires. Compassion sells!!
Posted by: Carla | February 18, 2009 03:08 PM
That Bridgestone commercial is awespme!
Posted by: NT | February 18, 2009 04:16 PM
I am always saddened to see cases where intelligent animals are "personified" to the point that people find humor or comfort in their weird assimilation into our culture. It's ok in cartoons, just leave it at that!!
When I see a chimp in a business suit most people laugh, but it makes me want to cry my eyes out...
Posted by: Meech! | February 18, 2009 06:27 PM
I love the ADT ad--usually I scoff at home security services, as my home safety needs are well met by Smith and Wesson, but I would consider purchasing one of their systems just to keep my kitties safe from fire!
Posted by: Kelley | February 18, 2009 06:43 PM
FYI, the chimpanzee had Lyme Disease. " Lyme disease is a multisystemic illness that can affect the central nervous system (CNS), causing neurologic and psychiatric symptoms." - That is why the owner had given the Chimp tea laced with Xanax earlier that day. He wasn't just fed up, he was a sick animal, unfortunately.
Posted by: Loryn | February 18, 2009 06:43 PM
@Rev. Meg
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I heard that lady adopted the gorilla when it was no longer fit to be in the entertainment industry.
I know its not any better but if thats the case even if she did something that was stupid her heart was in the right place.
Unless I'm wrong then sorry for spamming. :(
Posted by: Pepsi One is Fun | February 18, 2009 08:37 PM
I find it absolutely ridiculous that when animals snap, they are put down for a human's bad decision. These animals are WILD.. They live in the wild and are meant to be wild. A human with the strength would react in the very same way if captured against their will and sadly, would see much more compassion. I have absolutely no sympathy for those who meddle in any way compromising to animals and are hurt whether severly or even fatally. Your ignorance may sometimes chose your fate for you.
Posted by: Chelsea | February 18, 2009 11:41 PM
PETA should always be commended for the work it does.
Posted by: sidharth | February 20, 2009 06:03 AM
those commercials with the monkeys in them weren't even good. its sooooooo ridiculous.
Posted by: katie | February 20, 2009 03:42 PM
I agree with Katie, they torture the animals by using them on television, and it usually isn't even good.
Posted by: CJ | February 21, 2009 12:03 AM