This is for informational purposes; doing as outlined below will result in PR nightmare, bigotry accusation, brand annihilation and widespread boycott.
How to Pull Off a Netflix, Lowe’s Style
Step 1
Advertise on the first ever show on U.S. cable television that shows Muslims as part of American society and not terrorists – All-AMerican Muslim.
Step 2
Three weeks into the show, pull off your ads. Why? There are quite a few hate groups out there that have nothing better to do and want to uphold Florida’s reputation of being anti-Muslim. One such hate group, Florida Family Association, will send you an email and say that the show is “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.” In other words, Muslims are too normal in this show, they should only be portrayed as terrorists.
Step 3
Make a lame excuse on your Facebook page.
It appears that we managed to step into a hotly contested debate with strong views from virtually every angle and perspective – social, political and otherwise – and we’ve managed to make some people very unhappy. We are sincerely sorry. We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, across our workforce and our customers, and we’re proud of that longstanding commitment.
Lowe’s has received a significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible. Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lighting rod for many of those views. As a result we did pull our advertising on this program. We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance.
We strongly support and respect the right of our customers, the community at large, and our employees to have different views. If we have made anyone question that commitment, we apologize.
Step 4
Go over to Twitter and reply to an Islamophobe’s Tweet and let him know you appreciate his business.
Step 5
Hide. Them Mooz-lums are coming.
An Afterthought
I don’t blame the group for complaining but there is a problem if a fortune 500 company bows down to something ridiculous under pressure and calls it a normal reaction to a “consumer complaint.” Blaming the hate group is pointless because it is freedom of speech but I don’t think the same can be said about Lowe’s decision to pull ads. The reason doesn’t meet the common sense test, no matter how you look at it.
The Boycott
It’s getting really bad for Lowe’s. Since I don’t shop there or plan on, I did my part by signing the petition, thanking California Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and selling Lowe’s stock. There’s also a Boycott Lowe’s Facebook page that has done a good job to get the word out. If you want, you can also pitch in little to produce a new conceptual film to push back against anti-Muslim bigotry.
Some related stories worth reading:
Russell Simmons blasts Lowe’s for pulling Muslim show ads: ‘This can’t happen in America’
All-American Muslim Not Worth The Fuss
Lowe’s pulls ads from TV show about U.S. Muslims
Say No to Bigotry and Lowes and Support ‘All-American Muslim’
25 Dumbest Comments On Lowe’s Facebook Page About “All-American Muslim”
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