Rush Limbaugh's Advertisers, March 5

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

At least 39 advertisers have reportedly dropped their ads from Rush Limbaugh's radio show in the wake of his misogynistic attacks on Sandra Fluke.

Here are his March 5 advertisers, in the order they appeared on WABC, the flagship station for Limbaugh's show. Audio clips of the ads have been provided to help make advertisers aware of the placement of their ads on the program.

Advertisers with links on their names have already stated that they have asked to have their ads excluded from Limbaugh's show.

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 1

[ABC News update]

  • Freedom Debt Relief [Note: In a March 6 statement, Freedom Debt Relief noted: “We are indeed pulling all ads from Rush Limbaugh. Obviously Mr. Limbaugh's comments are inconsistent with the Freedom values that we hold in high regard. Freedom Debt Relief buys a wide array of media, and does not buy radio media directly. Consequently, Freedom does not directly sponsor Rush Limbaugh, we were however advertising with many radio stations and our advertisements aired at their discretion.”]
  • Service Magic [Note: On March 5, Service Magic issued a statement saying that the ads were “inadvertently” run and that they have requested for the ads to be removed. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • InventHelp
  • Merit Financial

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 2

  • Carbonite [Note: On March 3, Carbonite issued a statement saying: “Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show. We hope that our action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public discourse.”]
  • New York Lottery [Note: The New York Lottery issued a statement on March 6 noting: “The New York Lottery does buy advertising on WABC Talk Radio. New York Lottery spots do not air during the Rush Limbaugh show.”]
  • Reputation Rhino [Note: On March 6, following the broadcast of Rush Limbaugh's show, Reputation Rhino announced that “our reputation is our most important asset [and] will no longer advertise on The Rush Limbaugh Show.”]
  • Medipattern Corp. (“Corporate Profile Minute”)

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 3

[WABC News update]

  • Turbo Tax
  • Sensa Weight Loss [Note: On March 5, Sensa Weight Loss announced that they have decided to pull their ads from the Rush Limbaugh show. They indicated that it would take a few days before the ad is pulled from rotation. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Ameristar Tax Centers
  • Service Magic [Note: On March 5, Service Magic issued a statement saying that the ads were “inadvertently” run and that they have requested for the ads to be removed. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 4

  • Netflix [Note: Before the Limbaugh's show on March 6, Netflix said that its “spots were picked up in error” and that it has “instructed [its] advertising agency to make sure this error will not happen again.”]
  • American Credit Card Solutions
  • Matrix Direct [Note: On March 6, Matrix Direct announced that they have told radio stations to “stop” airing their ads as filler. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • RightSize smoothies

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 5

  • Geico [Note: On March 6, Bloomberg reported that Geico “has banned advertising on Limbaugh's programs since 2004, according to a customer-service e-mail.” It quoted the Geico customer service e-mail as saying, “On occasion, a local station may mistakenly run a GEICO ad in the wrong time slot. ... We are directing our ad buyers to make sure that does not happen.” Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Peerless Boilers [PB Heat LLC/Peerless Boilers contacted Media Matters with a statement that its ads ran on The Rush Limbaugh Show inadvertently. The error has been corrected.]
  • Capital One Bank [Note: On March 6, Capital One reportedly confirmed that they are taking steps to ensure Capital One ads do not run in the future. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Freedom Debt Relief [Note: In a March 6 statement, Freedom Debt Relief noted: “We are indeed pulling all ads from Rush Limbaugh. Obviously Mr. Limbaugh's comments are inconsistent with the Freedom values that we hold in high regard. Freedom Debt Relief buys a wide array of media, and does not buy radio media directly. Consequently, Freedom does not directly sponsor Rush Limbaugh, we were however advertising with many radio stations and our advertisements aired at their discretion.”]
  • Sensa Weight Loss [Note: On March 5, Sensa Weight Loss announced that they have decided to pull their ads from the Rush Limbaugh show. They indicated that it would take a few days before the ad is pulled from rotation. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 1

[ABC News update]

  • Freedom Debt Relief [Note: In a March 6 statement, Freedom Debt Relief noted: “We are indeed pulling all ads from Rush Limbaugh. Obviously Mr. Limbaugh's comments are inconsistent with the Freedom values that we hold in high regard. Freedom Debt Relief buys a wide array of media, and does not buy radio media directly. Consequently, Freedom does not directly sponsor Rush Limbaugh, we were however advertising with many radio stations and our advertisements aired at their discretion.”]
  • Bare Escentuals [Note: On March 5, Bare Escentuals announced that they have “taken steps to ensure that our radio ads do not air” on the Rush Limbaugh program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Wave Home Solutions (GoodAirNow.com)
  • Heritage for the Blind
  • Constant Contact [Note: On March 6, Constant Contact announced that they have “decided to pull” their advertising from Rush Limbaugh's program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 2

  • Small Business Authority in association with the Corporate Tax Network
  • New York Lottery [Note: The New York Lottery issued a statement on March 6 noting: “The New York Lottery does buy advertising on WABC Talk Radio. New York Lottery spots do not air during the Rush Limbaugh show.”]
  • St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT [Note: On March 6, St. Vincent's Medical Center announced that they have directed WABC “to withdraw our advertisements from the Rush Limbaugh show.” Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Constant Contact [Note: On March 6, Constant Contact announced that they have “decided to pull” their advertising from Rush Limbaugh's program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 3

[WABC News update]

  • Bonobos [Note: On March 5, Bonobos stated on Twitter that their ads appearing during Limbaugh's show “shouldn't be happening” and that "[w]e're looking into it now. We wouldn't knowingly advertising on this show." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Capital One Bank [Note: On March 6, Capital One reportedly confirmed that they are taking steps to ensure Capital One ads do not run in the future. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Sensa Weight Loss [Note: On March 5, Sensa Weight Loss announced that they have decided to pull their ads from the Rush Limbaugh show. They indicated that it would take a few days before the ad is pulled from rotation. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Sears [Note: On March 5, Sears issued a statement saying that the ads were “not intentionally” run and that they have “taken actions to ensure our ads do not run on this show.” Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 4

  • jcpenney [Note: On March 6, jcpenney issued a statement noting: “It has come to our attention that a handful of local radio stations may have played jcpenney radio spots adjacent to or during The Rush Limbaugh Show. To be clear, jcpenney is not a national advertiser of this show. We have a strict 'No Run' policy in place specifically regarding The Rush Limbaugh Show. After jcpenney confirms the facts, we will contact any local radio station that is in violation of our radio advertising parameters to ensure that our 'No Run” policy is adhered to regarding this program." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Eos Sleep
  • Netflix [Note: Before the Limbaugh's show on March 6, Netflix said that its “spots were picked up in error” and that it has “instructed [its] advertising agency to make sure this error will not happen again.”]
  • Merit Financial

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 5

  • Geico [Note: On March 6, Bloomberg reported that Geico “has banned advertising on Limbaugh's programs since 2004, according to a customer-service e-mail.” It quoted the Geico customer service e-mail as saying, “On occasion, a local station may mistakenly run a GEICO ad in the wrong time slot. ... We are directing our ad buyers to make sure that does not happen.” Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Freedom Debt Relief [Note: In a March 6 statement, Freedom Debt Relief noted: “We are indeed pulling all ads from Rush Limbaugh. Obviously Mr. Limbaugh's comments are inconsistent with the Freedom values that we hold in high regard. Freedom Debt Relief buys a wide array of media, and does not buy radio media directly. Consequently, Freedom does not directly sponsor Rush Limbaugh, we were however advertising with many radio stations and our advertisements aired at their discretion.”]
  • Sensa Weight Loss [Note: On March 5, Sensa Weight Loss announced that they have decided to pull their ads from the Rush Limbaugh show. They indicated that it would take a few days before the ad is pulled from rotation. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Freedom Debt Relief [Note: In a March 6 statement, Freedom Debt Relief noted: “We are indeed pulling all ads from Rush Limbaugh. Obviously Mr. Limbaugh's comments are inconsistent with the Freedom values that we hold in high regard. Freedom Debt Relief buys a wide array of media, and does not buy radio media directly. Consequently, Freedom does not directly sponsor Rush Limbaugh, we were however advertising with many radio stations and our advertisements aired at their discretion.”]
  • Concentra Vitamins

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 1

[ABC News update]

  • Wave Home Solutions (HydroCare)
  • A Place for Mom [A Place for Mom contacted Media Matters with a statement that the ads ran on The Rush Limbaugh Show inadvertently. The error has been corrected.]
  • InventHelp

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 2

  • New York Lottery [Note: The New York Lottery issued a statement on March 6 noting: “The New York Lottery does buy advertising on WABC Talk Radio. New York Lottery spots do not air during the Rush Limbaugh show.”]
  • ADT Security
  • ServiceMagic [Note: On March 5, Service Magic issued a statement saying that the ads were “inadvertently” run and that they have requested for the ads to be removed. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Bare Escentuals [Note: On March 5, Bare Escentuals announced that they have “taken steps to ensure that our radio ads do not air” on the Rush Limbaugh program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • US Tax Shield

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 3

[WABC News update]

  • Sensa Weight Loss [Note: On March 5, Sensa Weight Loss announced that they have decided to pull their ads from the Rush Limbaugh show. They indicated that it would take a few days before the ad is pulled from rotation. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • AccuQuote [Note: On March 5, AccuQuote announced that they will “immediately pull” advertising from Rush Limbaugh's program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Sears [Note: On March 5, Sears issued a statement saying that the ads were “not intentionally” run and that they have “taken actions to ensure our ads do not run on this show.” Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 4

  • Constant Contact [Note: On March 6, Constant Contact announced that they have “decided to pull” their advertising from Rush Limbaugh's program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Heritage for the Blind
  • Wave Home Solutions (GoodAirNow.com)
  • AkinMears G.P.
  • ServiceMagic [Note: On March 5, Service Magic issued a statement saying that the ads were “inadvertently” run and that they have requested for the ads to be removed. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 5

  • O'Reilly Auto Parts [Note: On March 6, O'Reilly Auto Parts issued a statement noting: “We'd like to let everyone know that O'Reilly Auto Parts is not a sponsor of the Rush Limbaugh radio show. Advertising on Mr. Limbaugh's program was not part of our 2012 advertising plans and any ads that may have run did so in error. We've instructed our media buying agency to immediately correct any of these mistakes so that our radio advertising campaign is in keeping with our original plans.” Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
  • Freedom Debt Relief [Note: In a March 6 statement, Freedom Debt Relief noted: “We are indeed pulling all ads from Rush Limbaugh. Obviously Mr. Limbaugh's comments are inconsistent with the Freedom values that we hold in high regard. Freedom Debt Relief buys a wide array of media, and does not buy radio media directly. Consequently, Freedom does not directly sponsor Rush Limbaugh, we were however advertising with many radio stations and our advertisements aired at their discretion.”]
  • Sensa Weight Loss [Note: On March 5, Sensa Weight Loss announced that they have decided to pull their ads from the Rush Limbaugh show. They indicated that it would take a few days before the ad is pulled from rotation. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]