BMW Excludes a oeUrbana Ad Markets, Highlighting Ad Industrya s...

A leaked e-mail from BMW's advertising agency sparked outrage among minority broadcasters this month, reviving concerns about discrimination in the advertising world.

[Adam]

I mean, BMW has the right to decide what demographics to market to. How many people in inner cities really buy luxury vehicles. It's sort of up to the company to know their industry.

[sal]

"It's sort of up to the company to know their industry." F that. This is messed up. But it's probably also not the best example of discrimination in ads. If you need some examples, just turn on the TV. Every ad is full of white people, unless it's a McDonald's ad.

[devils advocate]

How is this different from a company choosing not to air their ads on a television station? Aren't companies allowed to market their products in a way that they feel is cost-effective? Has the company conducted research that's found it sells more cars to upper-middle class suburban Americans than to urban populations? If so, shouldn't BMW be allowed to market its products in a way that targets this luxury car-buying segment of the population? That doesn't seem like racism, it just seems like capitalism.

[Howard Roark]

Funny in 2009 there are still folks who think ALL blacks live the Inner City. Urban radio is listened by, now hold your socks on this ones....Rich Black Folks too!!(gasp)
Yeah there are Rich black people in America. And the "demographics" show that they're not listening to "Boys like Girls" or TUPAC. But are listening to Jazz and Classic soul on "Urban Radio."
Silly mortals it's all a game. How can these insensitive companies profit without actually spending money? Some companies still have the Slave mentality just like you! But you only understand struggle when it happens to you. Which is why we have a Black President...remember your friend and good buddy G.W Bush who cared about you so much that he left you dry....
Enough edu-ma-cation. BMW is wrong and you know it.

[TWalker]

Howard Roark wrote:

Funny in 2009 there are still folks who think ALL blacks live the Inner City. Urban radio is listened by, now hold your socks on this ones....Rich Black Folks too!!(gasp)
Yeah there are Rich black people in America. And the "demographics" show that they're not listening to "Boys like Girls" or TUPAC. But are listening to Jazz and Classic soul on "Urban Radio."
Silly mortals it's all a game. How can these insensitive companies profit without actually spending money? Some companies still have the Slave mentality just like you! But you only understand struggle when it happens to you. Which is why we have a Black President...remember your friend and good buddy G.W Bush who cared about you so much that he left you dry....
Enough edu-ma-cation. BMW is wrong and you know it.

Thanks & Amen!!!

[Richard]

Jazz is a urban format? I don't think so. Urban formats are Hip Hop and R&B
I am a African American man and I have owned four BMW's. 90% of the people who listen to urban radio do not purchase high end luxury cars. They ae more likely to buy a Ford, GM, Toyota etc,etc. Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Audi, Range Rover do not place ads on urban radio because the market is not there and advertisers have a responsiblity to spend money where they will make money. Sadly there are some people in my race that are so sensitive that can find racism in bowl of oat meal.

[Howard Roark]

O.k Mr."I am an African American man." My first ride was a Discovery back in 97' and I solely listen to Hip Hop. Another friend's first car was a BMW and another was a Benz. I guess the 3 of us fit in that 10% you're talking about. No wait, we're all probably selling drugs to little kids and doing drive-by shootings in the "inner city" where ALL the people who listen to urban radio live.
I'd love to know where you get your figures. You see the truth in front of you and argue against it. Having no urban dictate is not racist,it's just plain dumb. So much of what is deemed cool today got that way because of its association with popular urban culture and the music has been the key driver. "Some" companies allow executives who are out of touch with today's multi-ethnic society (defined as Urban format) make key decisions. But I guess the Mini Cooper's target audience is just confederate white males who I'm sure have the big bucks, "Scoot over Bubba I gotta fit my rifle."
Because we all know that there are no upper-class Asians, Indians, Hispanics or African Americans.

And what's even more sad is that we have Mr. "I am an African American man", who supports this kind of buffoonery!
"Timbuck weez caught. You can come out the closet now, they see yuh feet. Weez caught!"

[Ricahrd]

It's clear from your response that your are more emotional than intelligent in on this issue. the comment about selling drugs is evidence that you see the world through a racial prism. There is not doubt that racism exists and we as people of African heritage can play the victim or overcome it. Like it or not, the vast majority of consumers who purchase luxury items will not come from listeners of urban format music. I have a mass communications background, I can assure you that the format consumers of luxury products is classical music, talk radio, public radio, sports talk. The other formats will have consumers who purchase luxury products, but the numbers are not there to warrant the expense.

[Howard Roark]

This is getting fun.
Now you're Mr. "I have a mass communications background." You and folks who think like you are a joke. You don't even realize you've named Radio Segments. Segments equate to the masses, i.e Urban segment. You also don't realize, Mr. "I have a mass communications background" that one key reason for ignoring the Urban "segment" is BMW's lack of ability to creatively capture that audience properly. So they'd rather not waste their money on something they no nothing about....(this is way too easy)

Take care of yourself!

[Richard]

The personal attacks are typical of your juvenile perspective on life. People like you constantly play the race card or result to personal attacks when you fail to make sensible arguments. People like you can see racism in a glass of water or a bowl of jello. It's people like you who keep Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton employed.

[Tru Cherry Hill NJ]

BMW has the right to pull ads from Urban settings. It is also the right of Americans not to provide revenue to a company based on practices. It doesn't matter if you have a mass communication background or your a professor at Havard University. It's sad but true that racism is alive and doing quite well in America. Just take note of the increase in recruiting into hate groups; increases in death threats to the President. A representative (electied official) in CA said publically that the republicans needed a "great white hope". You don't need to look as far as oatmeal to find racism, just look in the mirror!

[Richard]

No one denies that racism exists in this country. But to calm BMW is racist because it does not advertise on urban formats is absurd. I find it interesting that selective parts of my statements are criticized, while others curiously ignored. It seems now that we are attempting to change the subject to the mere subject of racism. Okay, lets do this. Black people have done more to hurt other black people than all of the racist groups combined. Lets talk about the thousands of black on black crimes committed each day in this country year after year. From drugs, murders, rape, car jacking, robbery etc, etc. And lets not forget the blatant disrespect of the black woman by the black man. Lets talk about black men abandoning children and leaving the black woman to bear the responsibility alone. Lets talk about how many black men call each other the N word like its a term of endearment. I can go on and on. BMW is hardly the problem of African Americans. I like the reference about looking in the mirror. Because the next you look into it, you just might see the person in denial.

[mcjenkins]

It is about time to focus on the rampant misrepresentation and bias exhibited by the ads we are daily bombarded with. Kudos for this exposure!

[FBP]

I have a simple solution, in order to prove the value of the "urban" dollar lets all people whom "fit" into this sect boycott all Bavarian Motor Works products and services...

Can this agency afford this??
Ad spenders holding their agencies very accountable for ROI aka revenue=sales per marketing dollar now, even tying fees to how these agencies are paid.(i.e. P&G)

Lastly, this is not a new thing. Ad agencies have perpetually disregarded not only the value of the African American market but also it has a history of terrible recruiting, promoting, and retaining such talent...

The clock is ticking Madison Ave...promote justice or justice will find you..TICK TICK TOCK!!!!

[Richard]

Madison ave has nothing to worry about. Just ask Jessie Jackson about boycotts that don't work. Jessie has been trying to intimidate BMW NA for sometime now and to no avail. Now for a actual boycotts that would really make a difference... How about a boycott against black drug dealers for selling drugs to black people and ruining neighborhoods and property values. We also need a boycott against the crips and bloods for killing people for wearing the wrong colors. We also need a boycott against the Hip Hop industry for the way black women are portrayed in music videos. We need a boycott against cheap alcohol like Colt 45 for solely advertising in low income black neighborhoods...TICK TICK TOCK???

[Alan]

Richard that was a good ending. Howard. There is more pressing issues we can focus our anger on besides each other. If we as a people would use this energy to try and stop this we would not be having this conversation.

Pease to both of you.

[Howard Roark]

It would be a more interesting conversation if some of "us" really knew what was going on in today's society. Jessie's boycotting works very, very well. He cashes in every time. Crips, Bloods, Drugs and Colt 45? I mean come on! I feel like I'm talking to a Caucasian 65yr old who claims he has a close black friend...his butler!

BMW is wrong and the proof will be when they fork-up money to the Rainbow Coalition while founding and funding a new NAACP "performance" award. Is that solving the problem, hell nah, but it is what it is.

Stop cheering and get in the game.

OBAMA!

[Richard]

Your response to the Crips and Bloods killing innocents, and Colt 45 being pushed on the low income blacks is come on? No wonder so many of our people are lost. Your thinking is likened to a man with a gun shot wound in his chest and he complains about the mosquito bite on his leg.
I see you referred to the NAACP. Didn't they coin the phrase "A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste"? Yeah dude, get in the game.

[AARON BROWN]

I am a "urban" owner of two BMW'S.
I AM OUTRAGED AT THIS CAMPAIGN BY BMW.
I WILL SERIOUSLY RECONSIDER PURCHASING A NEW BMW IN THE FUTRE.
I EXPECT THAT THE NEXT NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE WILL BE A MERCEDES, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE PREVAILING ATTITUDE AND CAMPAIN THAT HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY BMW. I WILL ALSO PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO MY AFRICAN AMERICAN FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S.

[Richard]

Hi Arron, If Mercedes is going to be your next purchase, you will find that they do not market Urban music formats either. The same is true for other luxury car brands.