Monday, December 20, 2010

Is Omaha Steaks boycotting Glenn Beck? Is it backpedaling? Or is its president just a clever weasel, like say, mmm, Mike Johanns?


On December 16, Media Matters trumpeted the following: Omaha Steaks Pulls Ads From Glenn Beck
Omaha Steaks has joined the list of companies that have stopped advertising on Glenn Beck's program. Work by ColorOfChange.org and the Stop Beck effort has resulted in at least 100 advertisers reportedly dropping their ads from Beck's Fox News program. The campaign began after Beck called President Obama a "racist" who has a "deep-seated hatred for white people."
StopBeck.com reported today that Omaha steaks said it would no longer advertise on that program:

    This morning, Omaha Steaks announced that they were removing their ads from Glenn Beck's program (emphasis added):

        Omaha Steaks buys large units of national television advertising during the holiday season. This year, we bought a package of advertising through the Fox Network. We did not specifically request to be included on the Glenn Beck program. As part of our contract, the Omaha Steaks ads run in a variety of time slots throughout the day.

We took your comments regarding the Glenn Beck Program to heart. After further review and careful consideration, we have decided to pull all advertising from Glenn Beck programming effective December 20th, 2010. Unfortunately, due to advertising cancellation policies, we were bound to continue possible ad placements through Sunday, December 19th.

At Omaha, we greatly value the loyalty and support of our customers, fans and followers and thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention.
Good thing stopbeck.com and media matters posted Omaha Steaks' original announcement, because today CEO Bruce Simon is singing a different tune. He says "The staff writers of our blog responded incorrectly and I want to apologize for any confusion this may have caused."

Now, faster than you can say "Politbureau airbrushes ex-hero from party propaganda," clicking on the media matters link "announced" shows not the original statement (above) of last week by Omaha Steaks, but a new, different one:
Omaha Steaks Television Advertising Policy, Updated 12/17

Correction from the CEO of Omaha Steaks, Bruce Simon:

The staff writers of our blog responded incorrectly and I want to apologize for any confusion this may have caused.  The facts are: we did not “pull” our ads from any show. Our holiday TV advertising contract ends on December 19th. Our contract never specified when our ads would air, only that they would air. Mr. Beck’s show is enjoyed by many, and we at Omaha Steaks hope our steaks are too. Our marketing is designed to speak to Americans who love steaks and great food, getting together with family and friends and giving gifts of great taste – no matter what TV shows they watch or what newspapers they read.
Bruce Simon
CEO, Omaha Steaks
______________
Omaha Steaks buys large units of national television advertising during the holiday season. This year, we bought a package of advertising through the Fox Network. We did not request to be included on any specific program. As part of our contract, the Omaha Steaks ads run in a variety of time slots throughout the day.
At Omaha Steaks, we greatly value the loyalty and support of our customers, fans and followers and thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention.
While Omaha Steaks may value customer loyalty and support, clearly it does NOT value clarity. If it did, it would stop apologizing for "confusion" while attempting to create exactly that in respect of the following, rather simple question:

Has Omaha Steaks stopped future ads from being broadcast on Glenn Beck's program, or hasn't it? 

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UPDATE: Recently consumersearch.com summarized tenderloin steak comparisons by Cook's Illustrated Magazine:

Of the seven steaks editors tested, three are available by mail order. Lobel's is the top-rated mail-order variety. It didn't require trimming, but it's expensive. Omaha Steak earned a "not recommended" rating for its "powdery" and "gritty" texture. Niman Ranch beef was also downgraded for its texture, but it earned a "recommended" rating nonetheless. The best tenderloin of all was one purchased at the local supermarket.

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