State Farm pulls ads and apologizes

[kanga]

Were any of you as offended as me at the recent State Farm ads that featured a guy having to ride his bike to work? The ads portrayed bicycling to work as a "last resort" option to those who couldn't afford to drive.

I felt compelled to write to them about it... not sure if my email got through, but apparently the message did. It's been pulled, not only from TV, but also from youtube:

http://www.statefarm.com/about/media/sf_disc_ads.asp




State Farm Discontinues Advertisement

The following email was sent to those who expressed a concern about a recent State Farm television ad highlighting a man who, because of high gasoline prices, decided to ride his bicycle to work. State Farm's 'pitch' in the ad was to offer some relief by encouraging viewers to contact a State Farm agent for an auto insurance quote for possible savings

State Farm discontinued the ad.

Thank you for your letter regarding our advertisement that features a cyclist riding his bike to work. We have read your concerns and those of others with similar concerns. We take very seriously each letter, email, and blog comment we receive.

I discussed the perception of this ad with others at State Farm, and we decided the right thing to do would be to discontinue it. We will remove this ad as quickly as possible from the current rotation schedule.

We are sorry the advertisement offended anyone. Our intention with this particular ad was to recognize and empathize with the everyday challenge of high gas prices, and suggest that State Farm could help by providing lower auto insurance rates than a person may be receiving from their current provider. But, clearly we have heard your concerns.

This change is being communicated directly to those who have corresponded with us, but I also ask that you pass this message along to others whom you know have a similar concern about this ad.

Please know that State Farm is very concerned about doing what we can to improve the health, safety, and environment in our communities. For example, in numerous states, employees can earn up to $1.50 a day by ridesharing, walking, or riding a bike to work. We also have more than 1,200 employees participating in van pooling throughout the country.

State Farm has also been a supporter of bicycle safety through the thousands of bicycle rodeos we've held for children throughout the US and Canada. We remain open to discussion about how State Farm might partner with the bicycling community in the future.

We value direct consumer input as we make decisions about our advertising messages and safety programs. As a mutual company with no stockholders, we work hard to be good stewards of our policyholders' money.

If you'd like more information about State Farm, go to statefarm.com or talk to a local State Farm agent.

Thank you,
Tim Van Hoof
Director of Marketing Communications

[El Salt]

I just now (4/18/08 – 4:00pm) saw this very commercial on KABC 7. I was on my trainer, watching the 4 o’clock news.

[slayer]

you got to be kidding. it's a freakin commercial.

i thought it was funny. the little bike made me laugh.

you need to lighten up.

[kanga]

"We will remove this ad as quickly as possible from the current rotation schedule."

Apparently not quick enough... I haven't seen it in a few days (but haven't been watching much TV).

Originally Posted by slayer

you got to be kidding. it's a freakin commercial.

i thought it was funny. the little bike made me laugh.

you need to lighten up.

There's two versions with the same theme... one with the little kids bike, and another with a rider on a 26"er mountain bike... with bright red lycras and a suit and tie top... Yeah, the kids bike was funny, but the other crossed the line and sent the wrong message about biking to work.

[El Salt]

Ahhh, the one I saw was the "little kids bike". I didn't really mind it. Funny to see a guy in a suit riding that little bike.

[dirtvert]

"There's two versions with the same theme... one with the little kids bike, and another with a rider on a 26"er mountain bike... with bright blue lycras and a suit and tie top... Yeah, the kids bike was funny, but the other crossed the line and sent the wrong message about biking to work."--kanga

lycra on a mountain bike? they totally crossed the line.

[tbowren]

I never give too much thought to commercials to be offended by them. Actually I have noticed a lot of commercials with cyclist lately. Usually I am so happy to see a bike on TV I don't care why its there.

I applaud you for taking the time and writing them with your opinions. You are correct it does send the wrong message about bike commuting.

Now I need to find out how to get up to $1.50 a day for riding my bike to work.

(But it won't be on a 26er mountain bike because people would make fun of that!)

[kanga]

Originally Posted by dirtvert

lycra on a mountain bike? they totally crossed the line.

I forgot to mention the knee-high white socks....

Yeah, they crossed the line.

[dirtvert]

Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtvert
lycra on a mountain bike? they totally crossed the line.

"I forgot to mention the knee-high white socks..."--kanga

get a rope!

[tkblazer]

[Abui]

I thought it was a lead-up to an ad for 29ers.

[bobzrag]

too many people offended over too many things!
not_this_shit_again.jpg

[0gravity]

Good riddance. And it's not being whiny. Public perception is easily swayed by the media and commercials. Yes, the guy on the kid bike wasn't great, but it was fine. But the other one went too far. I wrote in a couple weeks ago and complained. I'm impressed mine and other complaints didn't fall on deaf ears.

[Bullcrew]

That ad was funny and to be offended by it youd have to be pretty anal as well as blinder mentality!
I had to ride my kids BMX to the shop once and it was to say the least funny and humiliating. But still funny especially since friends saw me riding it to lunch.
So if I have a unibrow am I supposed to hate the cavemen commercials, or if I have irritable bowl syndrome i should hate the crap rap that pepto put out!
Its advertising and its funny.
I personally thought that was one of my favorite ads on tv!
So no it didn't irritate me in the slightest.

[slayer]

when i see something that i don't care for on t.v. i push a button on my remote and magically it goes away.

[OffRoadie]

I thought it did send the wrong message, but I could see how other people thought it was funny.

[mottmcfly]

Originally Posted by slayer

you got to be kidding. it's a freakin commercial.

i thought it was funny. the little bike made me laugh.

you need to lighten up.

Agreed here. I thought it was funny too. The guy is on a too small kids bike with a suit on.

[jschwart73]

Whoever was offended by this needs to get over themselves.

[kanga]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

Whoever was offended by this needs to get over themselves.

Perhaps "offended" was too