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Anti-boy Toys "R" Us commercial
posted by Matt on 01:04 AM November 15th, 2004
Boys/Young Men mens_issues writes "Toys "R" Us has an anti-boy commercial on TV showing two boys exiting their bedroom at the same time. They get stuck in the door and are apparently too stupid to figure out how to solve the problem. Their sister condescendingly says "Maybe next year boys," while reading a Toys "R" Us catalog. She goes into her bedroom and closes the door, which has a sign saying "Girls Rule, Boys Drool."
Contact these jerks here or call 1-888-869-7932. The Toys "R" Us corporate Web site is at http://www.toysrusinc.com."

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Male Bashing Is Bigotry (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 08:09 AM November 15th, 2004 EST (#1)
I saw this Toys R Us commercial on TV and NOW it's being mentioned here. There's just so much of this male bashing going on on TV it's hard to keep track of it all. There is no comparison between the kind of crap that males are being bombarded with and any similar denigrating advertising toward females. Furthermore, the "You Go Girl" crap, yes I said crap, that we are sending to females in the process of denigrating males is also a form of bigotry that we are teaching to all females in society.

If there are any big mouth radical/gender feminists out there who say there is comparable denigration of females, all I have to say is put up or shut up.

Maybe it's time we just started bringing all these commercials to public attention, except I'm not sure any site can handle that much volume.

I know that at one time women's studies classes on college campuses assigned projects for students to cut out magazine advertisements that they considered sexist to women and paste them in a report for credit in the women's studies class. If there were any men's studies classes with similar projects, and you wanted to get "A's" all you'd have to do is get a women's studies textbook and you could make enough reports to earn a doctorate, magna cum laude.

I have seen so many advertisements on TV alone, that are denigrating of men that it literally makes you sick to your stomach. Again, anybody who says this is happening to females in the same magnitude as it is happening to males, is an enormous liar, and should put up or shut up. Can you hear me NOW???

Sincerely, Ray

Male Bashing Is Bigotry

Please do not scroll up the page of linked item(s). All the info I'm trying to convey is as the page initially comes up.
Re:Male Bashing Is Bigotry (Score:1)
by Rerun on 11:32 AM November 15th, 2004 EST (#4)
(User #1138 Info)
Get the lettersr out!!!

We need to be hitting this companies fast and hard with complaint letters!!!
Re:Male Bashing Is Bigotry (Score:1)
by Gang-banged on 09:29 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#15)
(User #1714 Info)
There's just so much of this male bashing going on on TV it's hard to keep track of it all

Well . . . if this stuff is coming at us thick and fast like you say . . . then, perhaps we need to concentrate our fire on the Broadcast Media airing the stuff . . . they do not want to lose viewers and/or readers. Given targeted media to aim at, we may make a difference !
Have Truck - Will Protest (Truck top publishing) (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 05:29 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#17)
". . . then, perhaps we need to concentrate our fire on the Broadcast Media airing the stuff . . . they do not want to lose viewers and/or readers. Given targeted media to aim at, we may make a difference!"

I was wondering about this too. Do TV stations that air these offensive commercials have any responsibilty to their viewers to not air such sexist and hateful advertising?

I'm retiring very soon, live in a major media area, and plan on protesting some of the stations that air this stuff on their channels, if of course we haven't driven all misandrist advertising from the TV screens by then. Here's one tip that works when protesting, "Bigger is better." I now do 30" X 40" signs on sturdy board that I get from Staples. The larger the lettering, the larger the words, the more easily your sign is read.

Stay on the public sidewalk and exercise your Freedom of Speech rights. Even though it may not seem effective, most often it really gets attention. Of course if you have a truck and can paint your message on a 4' X 8' piece of plywood and park in front of the place you are protesting, you will have the rare experience of seeing people's jaws drop big time.

It would be helpful in the future if people mentioned where they saw this misandrist advertising playing. I know that these companies pay big bucks to someone to get the air time to spread this misandry so who exactly (network/local channel) is selling that air time? Who is profiting from spreading misandry, besides the obvious companies that pay to run the commericals in hopes of increasing sales? If we can find out the ad agencies who produce this stuff that also would be good to know.

Ray
Response from Toys R Us (Score:1)
by garypc on 05:42 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#30)
(User #608 Info)
I sent an email and left a phone message for Toys R Us. Here is the response they sent me. I am curious if others got similar responses:

Thank you for your input regarding our most recent Toys “R” Us
television
commercial. Our advertisements are produced to entertain while
informing
our guests of special offers available in our store. It is never our
intention to disparage or single out any group in our advertising. We
work
very hard to find snippets of every day life to highlight, in a manner
that appeals to our customers in a light-hearted way. We are very sorry
that you find this particular ad objectionable and will take your
concerns
into consideration as we develop advertising in the future

Thank you, again, for contacting us. We value the opinions of all of
our
guests, and appreciate your feedback.
 
Sincerely,

"R" Us Guest Relations Team


Re:Response from Toys R Us (Score:2)
by mens_issues on 08:05 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#33)
(User #267 Info)
That's amazing - I got the exact same response from them by email. These advertising executives must think exactly alike.

"Dear Steven Van Valkenburg:
 
Thank you for your input regarding our most recent Toys “R” Us television commercial. Our advertisements are produced to entertain while informing our guests of special offers available in our store. It is never our intention to disparage or single out any group in our advertising. We work very hard to find snippets of every day life to highlight, in a manner that appeals to our customers in a light-hearted way. We are very sorry that you find this particular ad objectionable and will take your concerns
into consideration as we develop advertising in the future

Thank you, again, for contacting us. We value the opinions of all of our guests, and appreciate your feedback.
 
Sincerely,

"R" Us Guest Relations Team

guestservices.us@toysrus.com"

One less store to buy christmas gifts in. (Score:1)
by Dave K on 09:05 AM November 15th, 2004 EST (#2)
(User #1101 Info)
My Reply...

A note with regards to a sexist Toys 'R Us commercial currently playing.

The commercial depicts two boys exiting their bedroom at the same time. They get stuck in the door and are apparently too stupid to figure out how to solve the problem. Their sister condescendingly says "Maybe next year boys," while reading a Toys "R" Us catalog. She goes into her bedroom and closes the door, which has a sign saying "Girls Rule, Boys Drool."

I have never seen a Toys 'R Us commercial treat girls in such a condecending manner. Unless the current anti-boy commercial is pulled or an equivelant commercial denigrating girls (not bloody likely) is played, Toys 'R Us will not be seeing any revenue from my household this christmas season.
Dave K - A Radical Moderate
Re:And here's one that just went to Geico... (Score:1)
by Dave K on 04:20 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#7)
(User #1101 Info)
Comment about a sexist Geico radio commercial I recently heard... the punchline goes along the lines of:

"Married 10 years and husband hasn't learned to put the seat down, Satisfaction rating minus 2.3%, this after the dog ripping up the new sofa and some other problem both netted a positive rating"

I've got a new punchline for you -

"Trying to sell me insurance by insulting me... likely to succeed rating - 0.0%"

Dave K - A Radical Moderate
Re:And here's one that just went to Geico... (Score:1)
by Cain on 05:52 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#9)
(User #1580 Info)
Married 10 years and the wife is still incapable of figuring out something as simple as, how to use a toilet. You go girl!!
Re:And here's one that just went to Geico (Score:2)
by mens_issues on 08:00 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#11)
(User #267 Info)
Because of that stupid radio commercial I lodged a similar complaint with GEICO. I looked into other insurance companies, and chose Amica. It's top rated in customer satisfaction and saved me a few hundred dollars a year as well.

Steve
Re:One less store to buy christmas gifts in. (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 10:45 PM December 6th, 2004 EST (#44)
come on it's just a commercial it's not that serious people, get over yourselves and learn to take a joke.
Send Letters Instead of Complaining!!!! (Score:1)
by Rerun on 11:30 AM November 15th, 2004 EST (#3)
(User #1138 Info)
Attached is the letter I sent which was easy to do given how Toy-R-Us website is set up!

I realize now why your company is close to bankruptcy. I just saw your commerical making fun of boys. Girls rule boys drool.

This type of misandric advertising is angering men's groups across the country. You will soon be on their boycott list. Which is something your company really cannot afford given its precarious financial position.

Making fun of men and boys in advertising is bad business. We are sick of it. It is not funny. You wouldn't dare make fun of women, minorities, jews, etc...but you think it is fair game to make fun of boys and men--especially white boys and men. Well guess what--we have had it.

You had better tell your advertisers that they should find a way to advertise your company without pissing off half your customers.

Why don't you ask your friends at Verizon how they are coping with over 2000 letters demanding that they stop making fun of fathers in advertisements.

Misandric advertising is bad business and companies that engage in it can expect a boycot of their products.

Respectfully,
XXXXXXXXXX
we have to go up a level in our response (Score:1)
by MAUS on 03:43 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#5)
(User #1582 Info)
These ads are created by "concept"people who work at ad agencies. Many of these people were teacher's pet in women's studies. I know this for a fact because my original reason for enrolling at Mount Saint Vincent was to get into their "Public Relations" program....when I found out about the world of "spin doctoring" and political correctness enforcing I found it all just too revolting. But these people are the enemy more so than the companies who buy their ads. I have been advocating this for some. Find out the names of these "concept"people and make an enemy list and destroy their careers without mercy. I will send a letter that will get their attention....somebody sic Glenn Sachs on them.
Re:we have to go up a level in our response (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 03:57 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#6)
What are the names of the advertising agencies that produce these advertisements? How do we contact them directly?
Re:we have to go up a level in our response (Score:1)
by bledso on 04:57 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#8)
(User #215 Info)
This site is a good resource for ad agencies.

http://www.adforum.com/
http://www.adforum.com/ (Score:1)
by napnip on 08:10 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#19)
(User #494 Info) http://www.aynrand.org
Not sure if you've browsed around that site, but they have a KICK ASS Prostate Cancer Awareness campaign!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I know, it's off topic, but this is too good not to mention.)

Here are some of the pics from that particular campaign:

http://media1.adforum.com/zrIf58670C/N/NE/NEED_182 31/NEED_18231_0043408A.JPG

http://media2.adforum.com/zrIf58670C/N/NE/NEED_182 31/NEED_18231_0043403A.JPG

http://media2.adforum.com/zrIf58670C/N/NE/NEED_182 31/NEED_18231_0043400A.JPG

http://media2.adforum.com/zrIf58670C/N/NE/NEED_182 31/NEED_18231_0043402A.JPG

http://media2.adforum.com/zrIf58670C/N/NE/NEED_182 31/NEED_18231_0043404A.JPG

There are several more. I think some of the posters could be worded a little differently, but all in all it's good to see this kind of thing finally being said. I also liked how they STRONGLY included women in the prostate cancer awareness campaign.

"Existence exists. A is A." -Ayn Rand
Oops, corrected URLs (Score:1)
by napnip on 08:36 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#20)
(User #494 Info) http://www.aynrand.org
There is a space in the above URLs. Remove that space and the addresses will work correctly. "NEED_18231" in the addresses should not have a space between the 2 and 3.

My apologies.

"Existence exists. A is A." -Ayn Rand
Re:we have to go up a level in our response (Score:2)
by Dittohd on 08:25 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#12)
(User #1075 Info)
I don't agree.

These ad agencies may be creating this garbage, but the sponsoring companies have to approve and pay for them. It would be so easy for the sponsoring company to stop this garbage just by telling the ad agencies that they didn't like the ad. That is, if they were so inclined.

Dittohd

Aim for their wallets (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 06:05 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#18)
"These ad agencies may be creating this garbage, but the sponsoring companies have to approve and pay for them."

Bullseye! It's probably more effective to protest the company's that buy this stuff from the ad agencies. The companies that buy this stuff are the same ones who go on to buy air time to show this stuff on TV.

Although the ad agencies are likely the "brains" (oxymoron) that conceive of these misandrist advertising abortions, I do not think they would be responsive to protest letters as long as there are company's that buy their misandrist commercials.

Still, if we can find out who these ad agencies are, sidewalk protests in front of their places of businesses would likely get their attention. I just think these ad agencies are too mercenary to care about letters that only they will see and then toss in a trash can.

Maybe I'm missing something here so speak up if I am. I just think it's more effective to hit in the ole pocket book, where ever that is easiest to do, to break the cycle of advertisement hostility towards men. All of these people speak the mercenary language of bottom line profit, and getting down to their bottom line as strongly as possible is the most highly effective persuasion.

Sincerely, Ray

Break the cycle of commerical advertising hostility against men!

The Cycle: Bash males => Sell more product => make more money => Bash more males

Re:we have to go up a level in our response (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 01:22 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#25)

These ad agencies may be creating this garbage, but the sponsoring companies have to approve and pay for them. It would be so easy for the sponsoring company to stop this garbage just by telling the ad agencies that they didn't like the ad. That is, if they were so inclined.

This is a good point, but you have to wonder why it is that so many companies are following the herd and creating commercials like this.

It's the concept people that are leading them into it. The ad agencies are telling the companies it's a good idea, and the companies are following along.


RE: The companies are following along. (Score:2)
by Dittohd on 03:10 PM November 18th, 2004 EST (#39)
(User #1075 Info)
I agree that the ad agencies are responsible for creating this stuff, but the companies are ultimately responsible for their image and bottom line.

I would support a protest at both sources of this garbage. I can't see how protesting these ad agencies would hurt if it was coupled with protests of the companies who approve it all.

I wonder if there shouldn't be a law passed that requires all ads to reflect the ad agencies that created them, just like the "I'm ... and I approved this ad" in political ads.

Dittohd

Here's my email to Toys R Us w/ a copy to Glenn S. (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 07:55 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#10)
I was watching TV the other night, when I saw a particularly offensive “Toys R Us” commercial showing two boys exiting their bedroom at the same time. They got stuck in the door and were portrayed as being too stupid to figure out how to solve the problem. Their sister condescendingly said, "Maybe next year boys," while reading a “Toys R Us” catalog. She then went into her bedroom and closed the door, which had a sign saying "Girls Rule, Boys Drool."

There is so much sexist, "male-hating" advertising on T.V. these days that perhaps “Toys R Us” assumes it can join the long list of misandrist advertisers who bash males and profit thereby, but such is not the case. I and many other people are fed up with "male-hating" commercials.

I respectfully request that you pull your offensive commercial immediately as well as any other misandrist commercials you may be airing, or plan to air. I further respectfully request that you treat males with the same respect that you would any other human beings that affirmative action considers protected. Just because one group does not as readily fall within those groups that affirmative action protects is not an invitation to wage a hate campaign against them through commercial advertising.

Sincerely, Ray Blumhorst
                      Sherman Oaks, CA

Contact: (Score:2)
by frank h on 08:31 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#13)
(User #141 Info)
Contact at Toys R Us:

Mr. Jim Feldt,
Div VP of Merchandising and Marketing
Toys"R"Us, Inc. Headquarters
One Geoffrey Way
Wayne, NJ 07470-2030
Main #: (973) 617-3500 x 5762
Re:Contact: (Score:1)
by Rerun on 09:26 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#21)
(User #1138 Info)
I called Jim Feldt and talked to his administrative assistant. She said that the person responsible for the advertisement was a Senior Vice President, Amy Parker. Ms Parker's e-mail address is parkera@toysrus.com.

Also, she said we could contact Mr Jim Feld's at feldtj@toysru.com.

Lets keep the letters going!!!!
Re: OOPS (Score:1)
by Rerun on 09:29 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#22)
(User #1138 Info)
Jim Feldt's e-mail address is feldtj@toysrus.com
Re: My e-mail to Parker & Feldt (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 09:38 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#23)
Your companies recent television advertisement Girls Rule, Boys Drool is misandric, sexist, and bigoted.

I refuse to buy products from a company that spews hatred toward boys and men. This advertisement is not funny. It is part of a disturbing trend of constantly demonizing, ridiculing, demeaning, and degrading boys and men.

Toys-R-Us is in enough financial trouble as it is---it really cannot afford to lose half its customer base.

Respectfully,
XXXXXXXXX

Let's get the e-mails out. We have to fight the fight......


Re:Contact: (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 04:36 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#28)
I called and spoke with Ms. Parker personally. It was a polite conversation, and I think in summation, that she didn't realize what an issue this was. She expressed to me that they were just trying to demonstrate a humorous perspective on sibling rivalry. I conceded to her that, I did see the humor in it, but that my displeasure stemmed from the fact that their series of commericals appeared to have no balance: there is no commercial where humor is gained at the expense of women or girls. I believe she undertood this. She told me that the commercial was due to expire (I think she said) this week, and she indicated that it would "never see the light of day again."

I appreciated her receptiveness and I hope that any or all of you who contact her or Mr. Feldt are polite. To be angry or sarcastic with them would be to tempt them to ignore us completely.

One final note: Ms. Parker told me in the course of oour conversation that they tested the commercial with a group of mothers (I believe this is called a 'focus group'). I asked if there were any fathers involved and she replied that no, there weren't any because women were their target audience. I asked her to consider including men in these groups and I understood her to agree that, yes, this seemed appropriate givne the trend among men to be more directly involved in their childrens lives, day-to-day.

Frankly, guys, I think I got through, and I regard this conversation to be a victory, small, but a victory nonetheless.

Frank
Re:Contact/Thank You (Score:1)
by Rerun on 06:36 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#32)
(User #1138 Info)
Thanks for the update.

I sent a thank you e-mail to Ms Parker.

Lets be quick to thank those that listen to us and take action!!!

Rerun
My email to Toys "R" Us (Score:2)
by mens_issues on 08:37 PM November 15th, 2004 EST (#14)
(User #267 Info)
To the staff at Toys “R” Us,

Since when did Toys “R” Us become anti-boy? I used to associate you with Geoffrey the friendly giraffe. However, the following commercial has changed my impression of your company.

This commercial shows two boys exiting their bedroom at the same time. They get stuck in the door and are apparently too stupid to figure out how to solve the problem. Their sister condescendingly says "Maybe next year boys" while reading a Toys “R” Us catalog. She goes into her bedroom and closes the door, which has a sign saying "Girls Rule, Boys Drool."

I'm sure that this commercial was meant to be humorous. It wasn’t for me. In fact, these commercials are very offensive to males in that it gives the impression that it’s acceptable to devalue and humiliate boys. I doubt that you would have aired a similar ad portraying the girl in this commercial as a fool.

I realize that it’s important to be able to laugh at oneself, but when one group is consistently made fun of (i.e. men and boys) while all others aren’t, there’s something discriminatory going on. Men and boys are just as important to the well-being of society as women and girls, and nobody deserves to be marginalized.

It should be brought to your attention that anti-male ads such as these are being criticized on several websites (which are viewed by thousands of people each day). Men have become tired of negative portrayals of males in the media, and even some women are starting to speak out against this (it isn't particularly flattering to them either).

It is strongly recommended that you find an alternative approach to advertising Toys “R” Us (which is not insulting to men or boys) before you cause yourself to lose a lot of business. Companies cannot afford to alienate half the population, particularly during a time of economic recovery. While I have never been a Toys “R” Us customer before, I most certainly will not become one in the future after viewing these ads.

My Letter (had to shorten it TWICE, lol!) (Score:1)
by LSBeene on 02:35 AM November 16th, 2004 EST (#16)
(User #1387 Info)
Dear Advertising team,

I am a member of a few men's groups and it has come to our attention that you are playing into the current "bash boys, it's cute and funny (but never girls)" trend, and this is disappointing. I lived for years in Massachusetts and visited the Natick/Framingham Toys R Us. I have always associated your store with Geoffrey the Giraffe and friendly people. But now I see you are hopping on the bandwagon that insulting boys is "good clean fun", while you and I both know that advertising that depicts little girls as idiots, spiteful, or inferior to boys is bad for business.

Recently several men's groups have begun showing our concern by causing several companies that sell such products and use the "men/boys are inferior/stupid/useless" joke some financial hardship and public embarrassment. (The Boys are stupid: throw rocks at them, our campaign against Michigan A.G. Mike Cox, our killing of a bill in California, and our recent campaign against Verizon)

We figure that Verizon will fold on this in the next few weeks and we are already looking for anti-boy advertising or products so we can give some anti-boy company a nice in-the-red Christmas present: a clue-by-four to their bottom line.

What better and more prominent target than a toy store that seems to denigrate 1/2 the population with sexist advertising. It may not seem so to you, but I very highly doubt you will be making any bumbling moms or stupid girls commercials. So, it's pretty clear you know what you are doing.
Our "Christmas Campaign" is being decided. With you lies the decision for a good bottom line or a mention in our next few column inches in Time Magazine for the corporation we stung at their busiest time of the year.

I like Toys R Us. Let's make it friendly to ALL kids.

Any replies will be happily accepted.

L. Steven Beene II

Guerilla Gender Warfare is just Hate Speech in polite text
Re:My Letter (had to shorten it TWICE, lol!) (Score:2)
by jenk on 02:29 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#26)
(User #1176 Info)
I was recently was made aware of a commercial for ToysRus concerning two boys who cannot get through a door because they were apparently so excited about your catalog and so stupid they could not get think to let one through first. The girl smuggly walks away with the catalog saying "maybe next year boys" and slams her door with a sign reading "Girls rule Boys Drool."
First of all let me tell you that I have been a dedicated customer of your Arnot Mall Location in Big Flats NY, since we moved to Elmira 11 years ago. I have bought my two sons most of their Christmas and birthday gifts there, and purchasing gifts for friends, cousins, and the kids friends. I usually spend at least $200 each child for Christmas, $100 each for birthdays, and $30-$50 each for friends throughout the year, plus hundreds in 'just because' gifts.

Do you really think girls are so narcisistic that you must stroke their egos to sell them toys? How about just standing on the merit of your product? How about highlighting large selection, good prices, and quality products. That is why I shopped at your store. How about highlighting a few of the big item toys which are available in your store, likely to be sold out at Walmart and K Mart. Why does someone need to be the loser, you have customers who are boys too.

I refuse to financially support companies which stoop to slamming boys for the sake of a buck. I have two sons, and I will not take a part, however small, in making them targets. We cancelled our cable, and live fine without television. We can refuse to shop at your store, and live fine without your products. There are plenty of other places I can shop for my children, KB*Toys being one of them.

Unless I hear that you have pulled these ads, I will no longer be shopping at your stores.
Sincerely, Jen Kuhn

Re:My Letter (had to shorten it TWICE, lol!) (Score:2)
by frank h on 04:23 PM November 17th, 2004 EST (#38)
(User #141 Info)
Hey Jen,

Be careful with your last name, sweetie.

Frank
For longer letters, use this e-mail address (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 01:03 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#24)
The form they use on their contactus.cfm page actually send the note to an e-mail address. So if you have comments that exceed 2000 chars (like I did), use their C/S e-mail addy: customer.service@toysrus.com

Here is the note I sent them:

I was very disappointed to read the entry at /article.pl?sid=04/11/1 5/066231&mode=threaded regarding your boy-bashing commercial. I don't watch TV anymore largely because it is a huge waste of time and the male-bashing is so bad that I can't stand to look at it. Your ad as reported on the mensactivism.org web site is perhaps a last-ditch effort to bring in "girl sales" for Xmas for your struggling company. Well that is really too bad because let's say for instance it were still the 1800s and in an effort to bring in more white customers you had an ad that made black people out to look stupid and demeanable by whites? That wouldn't be right but would you do it anyway "for business reasons"?

Your store, which pitches sales to children and their parents, is all the more culpable because you are using demeaning sexist advertising tactics on children, whose senses of self and self-image are not yet fully formed and who get their impressions about their self-worth from what they see and hear. Is it doing boys a service to make them out to be unwanted dolts, all but rejected even by a toy store? Or does it do girls a service to send them the signal that they are oh so much better than the boys? This line of thought will ill-serve them in life, as it has for millions of young women in the western world today. Misandry is a big part of the root of the problem our society has with high divorce rates, low birth rates, and such things as drug abuse and suicide (societies where men are not reviled as we are in this one show much healthier traits: higher education rates, lower delinquincy, etc. Alas these are becoming fewer and farther between).

Rather than being part of the problem, why can't TrU be part of the solution? Start by pulling the ad in question. Then maybe consider making an ad that shows boys and girls playing together happily rather than trying to recruit them into the gender-based hatred that has unfortunately become so much a part of our contemporary society. May I also suggest a staffing responsibilities review in your advertising department.

Sincerely yours,

etc., etc.

Re:For longer letters, use this e-mail address (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 03:04 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#27)
Oops, use the form instead. Looks like the e-mail box rejected the note I sent. :)
Posting on ifeminists.com (Score:1)
by Rerun on 05:04 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#29)
(User #1138 Info)
Noticed Toys-R-Us campaign was posted on ifeminists.com...

Lets get some more activism going and get this commercial pulled from the airwaves. At a minimum, lets cause them to think twice before they advertise this type of misandric filth!!

Please keep sending e-mails, letters, and calling by phone....

Rerun
Got this reply from Toys T Us today, 11/16/04 (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 06:18 PM November 16th, 2004 EST (#31)
Dear Ray Blumhorst:

Thank you for your input regarding our most recent Toys “R” Us television
commercial. Our advertisements are produced to entertain while informing
our guests of special offers available in our store. It is never our
intention to disparage or single out any group in our advertising. We work
very hard to find snippets of every day life to highlight, in a manner
that appeals to our customers in a light-hearted way. We are very sorry
that you find this particular ad objectionable and will take your concerns
into consideration as we develop advertising in the future

Thank you, again, for contacting us. We value the opinions of all of our
guests, and appreciate your feedback.

Sincerely,

"R" Us Guest Relations Team
Re:Got this reply from Toys T Us today, 11/16/04 (Score:1)
by mcc99 on 12:52 PM November 17th, 2004 EST (#34)
(User #907 Info)
Yeah, I got the same reply from them. They are just dripping with sincerity in their apology, aren't they?
Re:Got this reply from Toys T Us today, 11/16/04 (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 01:41 PM November 17th, 2004 EST (#35)
"They are just dripping with sincerity in their apology, aren't they?"

I heard someone say that when they get so many emails as they did in the Verizon letter writing campaign, they almost have to do a standardized "canned" response to handle the volume.

Well, I think they have a variety of "canned" responses already on the shelf just waiting for the complaints they get.

Given that these commercials are not cheap, it will be interesting to see how many letters are necessary to get an advertiser to pull an offensive commercial. I know I have not seen any of the offending Verizon commercials in the L.A. market since Glenn Sacks campaign began so that is some very significant good news.

If/when we see these offending commercials on the tube again, picketing in front of their actual stores may be a possible next step.

Ray

Re:Got this reply from Toys T Us today, 11/16/04 (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 01:52 PM November 17th, 2004 EST (#36)
They LIE!
Re:Did not get a reply on 11/16 (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 02:45 PM November 17th, 2004 EST (#37)
I never got a reply!!!

I guess my e-mail didn't merit a canned response?
Don't forget how to be more effective (Score:1)
by ArtflDgr on 07:06 PM November 18th, 2004 EST (#40)
(User #1946 Info)
Hi all,
      This is my first post.... looking at how you are going about this I have to commend you all for starting the ball rolling.
      its time to get a little more effective. R.A.Heinlien said through a character in his books "never appeal to a mans better nature, he may not have one, appealing to his self-interest gives you more leverage".

Letters to toys-r-us themselves is hoping that they will have a better nature. is it in their self interest to give into the men, or to cater to the person that controls the 'purse strings' so to speak?

When it comes to shopping women outnumber the men in droves (count the square footage of space dedicated to them in malls and such). Men as currently perceived are not considered to have as much influence over spending and such. When single they don’t shop as much, and when married, the wife does much of the shopping. Numbers wise we are not large on their radar.

There is another way that will give you added leverage. Of course don’t stop writing to toys-r-us. Now what you also have to do is write to the companies that sell toys through them.

The idea is to be shocked and surprised that the company feels this way implying guilt through association. Companies all the time choose not to do business with companies that have a marred reputation, and when they don’t and continue to do business, then we as people tend to believe that they condone actions of who they do business with.

There are hundreds of companies that sell or feature their merchandise at Toys-R-Us; many whose main target market are boys. If anyone or I mentioned names here, they would come up in searches associated with this situation. These companies should know how Toys R Us intends to get people to buy their products.
They should also be told that if they choose not to sell their products at Toys R Us we would be more than happy to buy the same thing direct, online, or from one of the many stores in the country that don’t use such methods to make a sale….

Things will change real fast when a few toys end up being pulled. Or one of the companies decides to do damage control by leaving the toy in this store, but issuing a press release stating that they want to continue offering their customers the valued products they know, love, and trust, but that in no way means that they agree with or condone of some of the advertising methods of some entities that purchase and resell their products to the public.

It’s just a thought…

Yours truly ArtflDgr

hot[ILLUMINY]mail

Re:Don't forget how to be more effective (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 08:45 AM November 19th, 2004 EST (#41)
Great ideas

I hope you will fire off some letters of your own.

We need all the help we can get.

Please tranform your ideas into action!

How to be more effective (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 11:54 AM November 19th, 2004 EST (#42)
check out the 2nd picture on this page. One could always set up a table on a sidewalk, being careful not to block the sidewalk, and collect signatures on a petition.

I/We request that _______________ cease and desist in buying and broadcasting male bashing commercial advertising in any and all forms. We request that Fathers, men, boys, and any and all other groups of males be portrayed in this company's commercials with the same respect and intergrity that are afforded to all other protected groups of people. It is socially unconscionable for an enlightened society to negatively portray any group of people in a demeaning or denigrating way, especially considering the attention that our society has paid to calling attention to the harms created in groups of people by engaging in such sexist and hostile behavior.

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

Provide some lines for signatures, and addresses. I usually provide two lines for name. One says print name, and ones says sign name.

Believe it or not, you will probably get more signatures with complete info. if you are picketing City Hall for a Men's Commission and requesting signatures for that and various other things.

Ray
more effective - Rewrote the petition (Score:0)
by Anonymous User on 12:15 PM November 19th, 2004 EST (#43)
PETITION TO __________ TO STOP ALL FORMS OF MALE DENIGRATING ADVERTISING

_____________ is a company doing businesses in our 21st century American society. I/We, the undersigned, request that _______________ cease and desist in buying and broadcasting male bashing commercial advertising in any and all forms. We request that Fathers, men, boys, and any and all other groups of males be portrayed in this company's commercial advertising with the same respect and integrity that society affords to all other protected groups of people. It is socially unconscionable for any company to negatively portray any group of people in a demeaning or denigrating way. This is especially so when considering the past attention our society has paid to create an awareness of the harms created in groups of people by engaging in such sexist and hostile behavior.


____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

Ray
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