Three Advertisers Pull Spots From Imus Radio Show - WSJ
Procter & Gamble, Staples and Bigelow Tea have suspended their advertising spots on Don Imus's radio show in reaction to his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team, according to the Wall Street Journal.
A spokeswoman for P&G said she does not not know long the advertising suspension will last. They are "waiting to see what the consumer response is." P&G she said, were accountable first to their consumers. "Any venue where their ads appear that are offensive to their target audience is not acceptable." She added they will evaluate their program sponsorship further.
MSNBC will suspend simulcasting the syndicated "Imus in the Morning" radio program for two weeks beginning Monday, April 16.
In a statement, Steve Capus, president of NBC News said that, "This comes after careful consideration in the days since his racist, abhorrent comments were made. Don Imus has expressed profound regret and embarrassment and has made a commitment to listen to all of those who have raised legitimate expressions of outrage. In addition, his dedication - in his words - to change the discourse on his program moving forward, has confirmed for us that this action is appropriate."
CBS Radio, a unit of CBS Corp., also suspended Imus and the broadcast of his show for a period of two weeks.
The Imus radiothon to support the Tomorrow's Children's Fund, the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research and the Imus Ranch will air Thursday and Friday on MSNBC, as scheduled.
Rutgers Team Responds
The Rutgers University women's basketball team slammed U.S. radio personality Don Imus, who has been suspended for two weeks for saying the team looked like "nappy-headed hos".
Public apologies by Imus for his remarks, widely viewed as racially provocative, have been coolly received by civil rights leaders who have called for a boycott of his sponsors and for him to be fired.
"We have experienced racist and sexist remarks," Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer told a press conference, calling the remarks "despicable" and "abominable."
"These young ladies are the best this nation has to offer," she added, flanked by the players themselves.
Team captain Essence Carson said players meet privately with Imus to discuss his comments, and members were noncommittal on the suspension or calls for his ouster. "The situation isn't quite over, so there's still some work to be done," Carson said.
Imus made the comments last Wednesday after the Rutgers team lost the national collegiate championship game to Tennessee.
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