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Parents Television Council - Because Our Children Are Watching

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2008

PTC: Applebees' TV Advertising Does Not Reflect IHOP's* Family-Friendly Image

 

Glendale, Calif. (May 13, 2008) – At the IHOP shareholders meeting in Glendale today, the Parents Television Council™ called on the corporation to decide whether the television shows its Applebee’s brand advertisements appear on are in step with IHOP’s hard-earned family image. The following are excerpts from the statement that Glen Erickson, PTC’s Director of Corporate Relations, gave at the meeting:


“The reason I am here today is because Applebee’s frequently advertises on programming that contains graphic violence, excessive sexual content and profane language. The IHOP Corporation has always been known for its social responsibility by being a part of the communities that it serves. Through charitable support, community outreach and volunteerism, IHOP and its brands have continually been at the helm of improving the quality of life for others.  

 

“In keeping with the spirit of building strong communities, we commend IHOP and Applebee’s for their support in sponsoring such family-friendly shows as ‘1 vs. 100,’ ‘Deal or No Deal,’ and ‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?’ While these shows embrace family values that keep communities viable and strong, we implore IHOP’s brand, Applebee’s, to reconsider its sponsorship of ‘Two and a Half Men’ and ‘NCIS.’  

 

“These shows consistently contain coarse and inappropriate language, along with gratuitous sex and violence and are in direct opposition to IHOP’s family image. 


“In one episode of ‘NCIS,’ sponsored by Applebee’s, a pimp and a drug dealer fight over a corpse in a morgue while looking for a deceased person who had transported drugs. One character is held at gunpoint while another is forced to search the intestines of a dead body for drugs. Does this type of programming reflect your corporate values?

 

“Chairwoman Stewart, for the protection of our children and in the spirit of fostering strong communities, we ask that you take control of your companies’ advertising dollars and redirect them to responsible programming.

 

“The PTC would welcome the opportunity to work with IHOP and Applebee’s in finding alternative programming.”

 

*IHOP is the parent company of Applebee's.

 

To speak with a representative from the Parents Television Council, please contact Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Megan Franko (ext. 148) at (703) 683-5004.

The Parents Television Council™ (www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.3 million members across the United States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families.

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