2005 ADbusive Award:
Telus for continuing to exploit animals and supporting cruelty to animals
With penguins from the West Edmonton Mall (WEM) put in hotel bathtubs and an isolated hippopotamus from the old Vancouver Game Farm, Telus continues to be one of the worse companies to exploit animals in their company advertising. They also continue to pay unscrupulous businesses known for their animal abuses.
WEM owners have inhumanely imprisoned bears, monkeys, dolphins and many others who died prematurely. All four adult dolphins and all 5 newborns died prematurely.
The Vancouver Game Farm’s appalling records include the long term isolation of the hippo used in the Telus ad, the painful foot problem with the elephant named Tina and the deaths of many animals including two hippos.
“A win-win situation for companies and for the animals would be to use stock footage of animals in the wild and/or to film animals in their natural habitats. Organizations that work to protect animals can be contacted to discuss such opportunities. Donations can be given to animal protection organizations instead of contributing to businesses that harm and exploit animals,” stated Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founder.
“As shown in the latest animated movie “Narnia” art has reached the point where you can’t tell the difference between a computer generated animal and a living animal. Hopefully now the market in live animals will end,” added Hamilton.
Telus has recently advised Lifeforce that they will explore these options. (John Page, Director of Ethics and Control Compliance, John.Page@TELUS.COM )
Background
Lifeforce’s ADbusive awards started in the 90s. Many companies stopped promoting puppies and kittens as Christmas gifts. Since the 90s Lifeforce has been a leader in convincing cities to implement restrictions on exotic animals and we are presently seeking a total ban on the sale and ownership of primates, tigers and other exotic wildlife.
Below is an excerpt from a Lifeforce letter to BC Telus (October 22, 2002) which ads also have included monkeys, baboons, a sloth, a wallaby, a beaver and amphibians.
Dear Board of Directors:
On behalf of the Lifeforce Foundation I would like to bring to your attention our concerns over the use of exotic animals in BC Telus advertisements. Your ads promote keeping exotic, wild animals as pets and that they are mere objects for so-called human entertainment. It condones keeping animals to force them to do idiotic tricks. Your ad campaign does not instil a respect for and understanding of their natural lives in the wild.
In general, these animals are often abused and kept in inhumane conditions. They are beaten to be “tamed” and to be dominated by humans. They are imprisoned in small cages and are only let out for brief periods when performing. For example, the orangutan in the Clint Eastwood movies was found beaten to death at the holding compound.
Dishonourable Mention:
Kahlua - Albino white tigers used in TV commercial and on their web site Depicting exotic animals is as dangerous as drunk driving.
President, CEO and Board
Allied Domecq PLC
Daimler Chrysler - “You could be a Millionaire” contest ad with white birds crammed in picnic basket and William Shatner puts on a fur coat.
Steven J. Landry
Chairman, Presdent, CEO
18004652001
customerassistca@daimlerchrysler.com
Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum Print Ad – using chimpanzees in their ads
Christopher Perille
Director of Corporate Communications
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
P.O. BOX 3900
Peoria, IL 61614
(312) 645-4077
Kelly McGrail
Director of Public Relations
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
P.O. BOX 3900
Peoria, IL 61614
(312) 645-4754
Glamour Magazine – featuring a chimpanzee “model
Cynthia Leive
Editor in Chief
Glamour Magazine
The Condé Nast Publications In
4 Times Square
New York, NY 10036
Fax: (212) 286-8336
-30-
For further information contact Peter Hamilton (604) 669-4673