Hi folks. I've been very much taking one for the team this week, listening to the Rush Limbaugh show each morning to identify local advertisers. Actually it hasn't been all that horrible. His whining and appeals to his listeners have been rather enjoyable to experience. The fear in his voice is hard not to notice.
I sincerely believe we are winning at the moment, but we need to keep up the momentum and keep the pressure on his advertisers, whether they be intentional or inadvertent. And there are many inadvertent advertisers on Rush this week, spots shoved into Rush timeslots due to the stampede away from his show by his previous sponsors - Carbonite, Sleep Comfort, AOL, etc. ... As such, Premier and their ad people are royally pissing off advertisers left and right, scrambling to fill these slots. It is so bad that today they had two spots for Proactiv - an anti-acne medication sold by Guthy-Renker. As one of their communications folks shared with me earlier, the Rush Limbaugh demographic isn't where their money lies and any ads run on his show are essentially wasted.
I also got a laugh today hearing the same identical ad for AllState back-to-back - probably a national play followed by it being put into a local slot, but still amusing to hear.
Anyway, I've compiled a list of local businesses and organizations who have been advertised on his show broadcast by KPNW 1120AM in Eugene yesterday and today. I have the list along with contact info and the status of my contacts below the slutty squiggle.
This was also the text of an email I sent to local friends who are active with MoveOn and wanted to participate in Operation Flush Rush ... For various reasons I think it best to confine calling to people within the 541 area code. I will update this information after tomorrow's show.
Most, if not all of these folks just buy ad time without intending it to be on any specific show. They can, however, direct those placing the ads to not run theirs during a particular show such as Limbaugh's. In calling these folks I've started with the premise that they are unaware that their ads are appearing with Limbaugh and might not appreciate being associated with his hate speech. In general I've requested that they direct KPNW to not run their ads during the RLS. Here are the locals I've identified and the status of my contacts with them. ALL could stand to be called again.
Ramjack of Oregon - I sent a message via their website, just found this number - 541 688-7177
Home Federal Bank - they should get thank you calls for having their ads removed from Limbaugh, it was in the pipeline Monday and by today none of their ads were on. 541-345-9430
Connolly Capital - Called Monday, lady who answered sounded surprised, Mr. Connolly was in a meeting but she'd check with him. The ads were on again Tuesday, may be in the process of having them stopped but not confirmed. 541-686-1201
Keller-Williams Realty, Erick Harpole - probably a lost cause given that Glenn Beck narrates his ad. Still worth the time to call them on it. 541-743-8999.
Oregon Women for Agriculture - I left a message, 503-243-3276
Fitzpatrick Painting - The lady who answered Monday sounded rather upset that their ad was on Limbaugh. It wasn't on today ...(541) 485-7232
Oregon National Guard - I left a message on their website - http://www.oregonarmyguard.com/...
BMW of Eugene - spoke with owner Stan, seemed to have his head where the sun don't shine, couldn't understand why his ads on Limbaugh were a problem. 541-342-1763
George M Sutton RV - spoke with lady who was fairly clueless about Limbaugh, I filled her in on the gist, she was appalled, only heard their ad today, (541) 686-6296
NEDCO - left them a message, doubt they appreciate being on Limbaugh, 541 345-7106 - they are a neighborhood empowerment organization
You might also enjoy reading this legal smackdown of one of Rush's advertisers who threatened a blogger for saying that they advertised on Limbaugh:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Good Luck with your calling. And please feel free to forward this info to others who may find it useful