(The following was sent out by Chicago Chapter of the PTC to Burger King, Chrysler, McDonald's, Capital One, Microsoft, Domino's, Clorox and Visa):
_____________________________________________________________________________
June 3, 2011
Bernardo Hees
CEO and Director
Burger King Holdings, Inc.
5505 Blue Lagoon Dr.
Miami, FL 33126
RE: Your Sponsorship of Two and a Half Men on CBS
Dear Mr. Hees,
I am reaching out to you as a member of the ____________ Chapter of Parents Television Council, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization with over 1.3 million members, who are committed to promoting and restoring responsibility and decency to the entertainment industry.
According to Harris Poll, “27% of Americans say they did not purchase a certain brand because they did not like a program or event sponsored by the brand.”
Two and a Half Men is centered around the promiscuous activities of Charlie, a hedonistic ladies man, and the often inappropriate advisor to Jake, his nephew. Your commercial aired during the May 30th episode entitled “The Guys and a Girl Named Bud.”
In the fall premiere, Charlie is shown passed out drunk on the stairs of his home, with his pants missing, appearing in his boxers. After discovering blood in his boxers from a zipper accident he had, he claims that he will stop drinking, but it quickly becomes clear, he only means hard liquor, after he is shown drinking several bottles of beer, and finishes off a bottle of wine.
On two separate occasions, 16-year old Jake is shown sneaking two girls from his room. When Charlie discovers what Jake has been doing, he is proud of his nephew for fooling around with girls, and he is shown giving Jake a high-five and a hug. In another scene, a woman is shown pouring whip cream underneath the covers onto Alan’s groin, as he replies “bon appétit.”
Promoting underage sex and belligerent drinking is unhealthy for children in their social and emotional development. By advertising on this program, your company supports its content. Is Two and a Half Men an accurate reflection of your corporate values and brand image?
We ask that you reconsider your sponsorship of this program until such negative and harmful content is no longer part of CBS’s schedule. We strongly encourage you to support more family friendly shows on CBS such as Ghost Whisperer and Amazing Race. Please respond by June 17, 2011 with your intentions. We are eager to inform our members of your decision.
Sincerely,
