Not exactly a surprise ending. From NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio:
A car dealership’s tongue-in-cheek radio advertisement declaring “a jihad on the automotive market,” will not be aired, according to a press release issued on Monday from the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
An official with Dennis Mitsubishi told CAIR-Ohio that the dealership has issued an apology for any misunderstanding caused by “an attempt at humor that fell short.”
In a statement, Dennis Mitsubishi owner Keith Dennis said his company ultimately decided not to air the spots.
“The public reaction to this story has been significant,” Dennis said in the statement. “A large number of people have contacted us. Lots of them have seen the humor we were trying to convey, but far too many were clearly bothered by it. This was simply an attempt at humor that fell short.
“I wish to offer my sincere apology to anyone who was offended. We do not wish to alienate anyone in our community — all of whom are potential customers.”
Smartest move he ever made.
Now, let me show you this ’07 over here. Power everything. Fully loaded!
David,
is this cryptic? Columbus..Dennis…Dealerships..Cars?
Criminy, this is straight out of my summer 06?
I’m getting paranoid. Call the House Doctor!
I am joking, High Jive! … about calling House. Okay!
Do we know whether this was client-generated creative, or from some agency who sold them this ridiculous jihadist concept for their radio ads? If the latter, heads are gonna roll… (ack, couldn’t resist)
(apologies for the double post)
I answered my own question. From the Columbus Dispatch article: “But Aaron Masterson, general manager of Dennis Auto Point, which writes and produces its own commercials, promised that the commercial will air.”
There you have it.