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An open letter to Mr. Howard A.Tullman, CEO, Xceed, Inc
Dear Mr. Tullman, As corporate citizens, I’m sure that Xceed is aware of
public concern about excessive violence in the media, and its negative impact on
our community. Recent local and
national events involving domestic abuse, workplace and school shootings
emphasize how important it is for individuals and companies to take a position
against violence. Numerous studies have linked watching graphic violence to
antisocial conduct and an increased probability of acting out violent behavior.
Every day, America is deluged with headlines detailing the ravages
violence on our society. As a business person, I am writing to express my concern
and disappointment over Xceed’s sponsorship of the television show Survivor 2
on CBS. I was offended by Xceed’s
association, through sponsorship, of the February 15 Survivor broadcast showing
the graphic slaughter of a pig. This
graphic brutality in a popular prime time television show, which was seen by
millions of adolescents and young children, encourages inappropriate and violent
behavior. Are you aware that the
day after the broadcast, two separate stabbing incidents occurred in the Boston
public schools? Xceed’s sponsorship of CBS Survivor 2 makes it appear
that you endorse inappropriate and violent behavior. I would like an explanation of your company’s policy
regarding sponsorship of graphic violence as entertainment. I would also appreciate an explanation of your company’s
position on promotion of violence in the media, and request that you inform your
media outlets that this material offends your customers. I hope that Xceed will see this as an opportunity to take a
leadership role on this important issue. A
reasonable response would be for you to inform your media outlets that your
customers are offended by graphic violence, and to avoid sponsorship of such
programming in the future. An exemplary response would be for you to organize
all of the sponsors of Survivor to send CBS a clear message that sponsorship of
this type of programming is a corporate liability that will not be tolerated in
the future. If a reasonable
response is not provided, I will take my future business, and encourage my
associates to take their business to companies that take a strong position
against violence. Although some may
argue that advertisers should not have a role in determining media content, I
take the position that market pressure is urgently needed to balance a runaway
situation. I am looking forward to
your response. Sincerely, Chuck Anastasia |
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