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PetSmart caved?

Chimera

Mind Fetishist
Chimera
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
394
This really bothered me.

A friend called this to my attention...a group called the American Family Association got people to email PetSmart about...get this...not using the word "Christmas" ENOUGH in their advertising. I actually used the AFA's form letter to thank PetSmart for using "holiday" instead of "Christmas".

So then, AFA publishes this on their website:

PetSmart's Response Concerning Christmas Promotions
PetSmart has heard and is addressing concerns about “Christmas” not being found in our online holiday promotional material. While we do not have a policy related to the use of holiday terms in our marketing and advertising materials and our omission of Christmas was not necessarily a conscious one, it is unfortunate and regrettable. You will be pleased to know we have already made some changes to incorporate Christmas on our website and will continue to do so where possible. (For example, if you visit www.petsmart.com you will see a banner inviting you to “Surprise your pet with the perfect gift for Christmas & the Holiday season.”) We strive to be authentic in what we say and do and believe that the use of Christmas or other religious or cultural terms in describing holiday related products and activities is in keeping with that brand characteristic. Thanks for voicing your concerns with us.

Bruce K. Richardson

Director, External Communications

Corporate Communications

PetSmart



Looks like PetSmart caved in to Christian demands to me.
 
Chimera said:
We strive to be authentic in what we say and do and believe that the use of Christmas or other religious or cultural terms in describing holiday related products and activities is in keeping with that brand characteristic.
Click to expand...

The authenticity is overwhelming.
 
Gads.

My brother is having to work mandatory overtime right now, at Boeing. 7 days a week, 10 hours a day. He's a Christian. You know what he's doing with some of that tasty overtime pay? Toys for Tots. He's going to buy a few hundred dollars worth of toys, so some kids can have a Christmas.

I find his focus for the holidays much more indicative of the Christmas spirit, than the focus of those worried about the greeting they'll get in the stores.

Bah. Humbug, indeed.
 
I don't see the big deal. They're a business supplying a demand. And the religious demand to be pandered to.

As an atheist it doesn't bother me as long as they don't make the employee's act all religious.

eta:

This of course has nothing to do that I just saved $30 by buying a ferret pen from PetSmart instead of PetCo.
 
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So the American "Family" Association has taken a break from condemning homosexuals and homosexuality to pay attention to the so-called "War On Christmas"?
 
Why would ANYONE care if a private business uses the word 'Christmas'? That's the name of the damn holiday! It's just a name, that's all. It has no power unless you give it power, and the best way to do that is bleat about how it offends atheists.
 
Just so I understand.....They're complaining because Christmas isn't being commercialized enough?

Isn't that what everybody complained about before this whole "War on Christmas" thing started? How unseemly it was that retailers used the birth of their Lord and Savior as a means to make a buck? So that's a good thing now?

My goldfish is a Unitarian. I'm not sure what he would make of this.
 
Nick the Budgie is Jewish, so she's offended at the whole not using "Christmas" enough thing. She wants them to start commercializing Hannukah.

ETA: She also has a soft spot for PetSmart, since that is where we first met.
 
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So what, PetSmart wants to make money off Christians too. They still rule over Petco.
 
LibraryLady said:
Nick the Budgie is Jewish, so she's offended at the whole not using "Christmas" enough thing. She wants them to start commercializing Hannukah.

ETA: She also has a soft spot for PetSmart, since that is where we first met.
Click to expand...
Do they sell little dreidels?
 
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tkingdoll said:
Why would ANYONE care if a private business uses the word 'Christmas'? That's the name of the damn holiday! It's just a name, that's all. It has no power unless you give it power, and the best way to do that is bleat about how it offends atheists.
Click to expand...


I don't give a damn about "Christmas" vs. "Holiday". The word "Christmas" does not offend me. It does bother me, however, that these AFA guys got people to write to PetSmart to order them to use the word Christmas, and PetSmart raced to appease them.


And I've never, ever "bleated". I don't think.
 
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