MIAMI (November 29, 2007) – Today at the annual Burger King shareholder meeting, the Parents Television Council™ called on the company to reconsider using a sexually charged and sometimes violent advertising campaign to sell its product. In addition, the PTC took Burger King to task for placing its ads on shows like Family Guy and an episode of FX’s Dirt that included graphic sexual situations, stating that the company’s advertising placements are inconsistent with its corporate values.  Miryam Knigge, PTC’s Miami Chapter Director, spoke at today’s shareholder meeting.  The following are excerpts from her remarks and from her written statement that was given to Burger King executives:
 

“Whether you are here today as a responsible corporate citizen or a member of the board, I urge you to help me promote the betterment of our children through a consistent pattern of responsible advertising.  The Parents Television Council can help; the PTC is a non-profit, non-partisan, organization which monitors primetime broadcast and basic cable shows and has startling statistics on children mimicking behavior, good and bad.

“Your commercial messages and the programs that they support are a destructive force in free broadcast television.  Three commercial messages stand out as particularly troublesome.  The first one is a spot for your dollar menu that includes a father giving his young son what looks like a condom and instructing him to put it in his wallet because he will become very popular with the girls.  This commercial is supposed to be promoting your dollar menu but it is completely irresponsible in its overtly sexual message that involves children.  Another 2007 Burger King ad featured a ballerina reaching into the front pockets of a man from behind searching for money.  And today you have a national campaign depicting mothers trying to kill your spokesperson.  What message are you sending?

“Your negative commercials supported such non-family friendly shows as Family Guy, C.S.I. Miami, Nip/Tuck, The Shield, The Sopranos, and South Park.  In an episode of Dirt on the FX network sponsored by Burger King, the lead character takes out a vibrator from her drawer and activates it, then places it under the covers against her crotch, using it to masturbate.  Is this responsible advertising Mr. Chairman?

“We have reached out to you many times; we’ve called, e-mailed and written you.  Our calls go unreturned; you shut out our e-mails and then you send us form letters written by your consumer relations department.

“Your advertising dollars reflect your corporate values.  Is this direction consistent with your own community outreach program?  Your Have It Your Way Foundation supports youth programs and improving education.  Your advertising practices are in direct conflict with your charitable works. 

“I am pleading with you on behalf of millions of Americans to adopt responsible advertising guidelines.  I would like to let 1.2 million PTC subscribers know Burger King is joining the campaign to help clean up TV!”