Within hours of my call for Glaxo to pull its Imus ads (see “Glaxo, Pull Your Imus Ads“), which I posted at around 6 AM this morning, I learn that GSK has heeded my advice (see “GlaxoSmithKline Pulls Imus Ads“).
Unfortunately, the action was not accompanied by any press release or statement by GSK other than this bland corporate-speak:
“The bottom line is that we have suspended our advertising with MSNBC until we can determine that we can have a level of confidence that our media standards are being adhered to,” GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman Nancy Pekarek told MM&M.
GSK missed an opportunity to explain what it’s “media standards” are. Imus is well-known to have engaged in racial parodies before:
“He’s ALWAYS said racist remarks. His show often makes fun of African-Americans and Latinos. As with many morning radio shows they do parodies, with favorite targets being Al Sharpton who is depicted in a horribly offensive Ebonic tongue and Omar Miniya, the General Manager for the New York Mets, who is portrayed with a horrible Hispanic accent. (See “Imus Gets Suspended 2 weeks but here’s what the media WON’T TELL YOU.“)
Once Imus gets back on the air, will GSK’s media standards coincidentally be met?
If anyone can tell me what these media standards are, I will be greatly appreciative!
P.S. I just learned from ABC World News that NBC will no longer simulcast the Imus show on MSNBC. This obviously means that GSK will no longer have ads on Imus/MSNBC no matter if Imus survives on the air or not. It also means that GSK doesn’t have to make a tricky decision based on whether or not it’s media standards have been met.
