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JC Penney reportedly says its "policy" prohibits advertising on Limbaugh -- but here's the audio

August 19, 2009 3:20 pm ET by Jeremy Schulman

Last week, Media Matters for America documented that JC Penney was one of several companies that recently advertised on Rush Limbaugh's hate-filled radio show, despite having been included on a 2006 list of advertisers that reportedly requested that none of their ads be broadcast during Air America programs.

According to a tip from a Media Matters reader, JC Penney is now stating that its "company policy is to run no advertising on any programming that is political or religious in nature - and that includes the Rush Limbaugh show."

Media Matters has the audio of a JC Penney ad that aired on New York's WABC-AM at the beginning of Limbaugh's May 29 show at 12:06 p.m. ET.

Here's the text of the email JC Penney reportedly sent:

Thank you for contacting us online.

Our company policy is to run no advertising on any programming that is political or religious in nature - and that includes the Rush Limbaugh show. We have a record of supporting candidates ? Democrat and Republican -- that have an interest in issues that are important to the retail industry.

We welcome comments and suggestions from our customers that call matters to our attention and enable us to address each issue. Customer concerns are always forwarded to the proper areas responsible for the issue. Your comments are a great help toward increasing satisfaction of all JCPenney customers.

As a company servicing half of America's families for over 100 years, our customers have come to know JCPenney as their trusted retail partner.

At JCPenney, what matters to you, matters to us. Customers like you are our most valuable resource for creating the optimal shopping experience.

Thank you for taking the time to share your input. We look forward to

serving you in the future.

JCP.com Customer Service

Every Day Matters

On Monday, we posted the text of a similar email apparently sent by Home Depot asserting that Home Depot doesn't "support the Rush Limbaugh radio show." Media Matters posted audio of a Home Depot ad that did, in fact, air during Limbaugh's show.

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    • Author by jmquin (August 19, 2009 4:55 pm ET)
         
      It sounds like a spot that may be owned by the traffic reporting company that provides the traffic information for WABC. In this case it may be Metro Traffic. JC Penney and Home Depot are big buyers of this advertising inventory. I'm sure they requested through their buy that no spots run in the Limbaugh show. Somebody goofed.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by roninkannushi1711 (August 19, 2009 5:23 pm ET)
      1  
      Fellow Matterers,

      Sepsis Gadfly, (Rush Limbaugh), thinks, believes, claims, etc., he is the only hate-speak, wrong-talk, personality that is losing sponsorship. A lonely room, for a bitter man is a mirror, in the dark. Mr. Gadfly is hypertising, (hyper-advertising) his insolence. His morbid distain feeds fear that ventures for past bigotry. Putrid words can not be consumed by enlightenment.

      He wants to pour acid on the matter? Males, in other countries have doused women with acid, for not accepting a suitor. How horrible a life, that makes so much money. Sepsis Gadfly is another ugly face, of the past. A wound may heal, but the scar remains.

      Best wishes,
      Ronin Kannushi.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by mustardman (August 19, 2009 5:24 pm ET)
         
      Good job. Keep putting this stuff in the sunlight for all to see!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by terrapin53 (August 19, 2009 9:38 pm ET)
         
      I think this is a local ad spot, not national. This is right before Limbaugh starts his 3 hour smear for the day. Bottom line, WABC got the revenue, not Limbaugh. Expecting JC Penney to not do local advertising between 12 and 3 on a station that airs Limbaugh is probably not very easy for them to regulate.
      Report Abuse

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  • County Fair is a media blog featuring links to progressive media criticism from around the Web as well as original commentary, breaking news and rapid response updates to major media events from Media Matters senior fellows and other staff.