"That" Ad...

I am sure "that" Superbowl ad did not offend or sadden everyone, but it did me. I know I sucked in my breath as I realized what was being portrayed. Yeah, it was "only" a robot throwing itself into the water below to end it's "life" but it cut deep. Stuff like that happens everyday. Comments like "I could just kill myself" or the gesture of putting a finger pointed to one's own head like a gun. This morning on the Today Show the offensive nature of the Snickers ad, now pulled, was discussed. So was the GM ad. I guess it only hurts if it pertains to you. Below is the statement AFSP, the Foundation for Suicide Prevention, has made to GM. I have already emailed GM. If this impacts you as well, please do the same.


AFSP Issues Statement to General Motors Regarding Super Bowl Ad

The Foundation, in response to a commercial for General Motors Corp., in which a GM factory robot "obsessed about quality" imagines itself jumping off a bridge after being fired for making a mistake, has contacted the automaker, CBS and the NFL regarding the insensitive nature of this ad.

The ad, prominently displayed on the GM website, is offensive to the tens of millions of survivors of suicide loss nationwide. The ad, in its carelessness, portrays suicide as a viable option when someone fails or loses their job. This is the wrong message to send to adolescents in general, or to young people and adults alike who may be depressed and thinking that suicide is their only option, rather than seeking help.

AFSP has requested that GM pull this ad and cease any further promotion and marketing of it, including taking it off the company's website. The Foundation has also encouraged GM to issue a statement of apology to those offended by the ad.

Suicide is a major public health problem that has claimed the lives of over 300,000 people in the United States over the past 10 years -- with approximately one million suicide attempts each year -- taking an enormous toll on families, friends, classmates, co-workers and communities. More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable, treatable mental disorder and are suffering. Suicide is currently the fourth leading cause of death among adults aged 18-65 and the third leading cause of death among youth aged 15-24.

Research has also shown that graphic, sensationalized or romanticized descriptions of suicide deaths in any medium can contribute to suicide contagion, popularly referred to as "copycat" suicides.

AFSP urges those offended by this ad to contact GM to express their concern. You can do so by going to the Contact Us page on the GM website. In the "Contact GM Corporation" section, choose "GM Advertisements" as a topic from the drop-down menu and click "Go," which will take you to a form where you can add your comments.


Added at7:30: Wow. Look at this heartfelt response from GM:

Dear Ms. Kovacevich,

Good Afternoon. Thank you for contacting us regarding the General Motors television ad, “Robot,” which first aired during the telecast of Super Bowl XLI. We appreciate your point of view and letting us know of your concerns.

This ad tells the story of GM’s commitment to quality because GM employees, together with our unions, are building the best cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers in our history. We are confident that our vehicles can compete head-to-head with anyone and everyone, and we’re willing to back that up with the industry’s best warranty.

Again, thank you for taking the time to let us know how you feel and for your interest in GM.

The General Motors Consumer Support Team

So yeah, I am really interested in GM. Especially for this sensitve response to my email. As Isaiah would say, "Geesch!"