Big brands avoid news about civil unrest on Capitol Hill



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  • A host of big brands have called on their advertising agencies to put their advertising campaigns on hold amid the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
  • At least one television network stopped broadcasting commercials during the coup attempt.
  • Advertisers are asking for advice on what to do next, and the news coverage also leaves a question mark on what will happen with the campaigns that air on inauguration day on January 20.
  • Visit the Business Insider homepage for more stories.

Several major television advertisers have suspended their campaigns in response to the attempted coup on the U.S. Capitol, sources from two of the major advertising management companies said.

Advertisers usually shoot TV commercials to avoid being seen running commercials that spout horrible news broadcasts. One of the holding companies said advertisers’ keyword lists had been updated to reflect current events within an hour of the Capitol breach.

Advertisers aren’t just taking advantage of linear cable TV – some are also asking to remove their ads from social media and digital news sites, the source said.

A media agency source said that a “majority of customers” were suspending TV and digital ads for the next 24 to 48 hours, and several of them also postponed their late-night and early-morning purchases to end of the month.

The historic turn of events, which involved pro-Trump protesters who violated Senate offices and waved weapons and flags on the same day Georgia Senate votes confirmed two Democrats won the Southern state , made the television shocking.

Fox News stopped running ads around 1:30 p.m., a source told Insider, as is typical on TV news when there is breaking news.

Fox News, CNN and MSNBC officials did not immediately respond to whether they had also cut ads.

The source said marketers are calling for their campaigns to be put on hold while reports of violence on Capitol Hill are reported. An advertiser asked not to air on air until the weekend.

The media coverage also leaves a question mark as to what will happen with the brand campaigns that will air on inauguration day on January 20. Advertisers who use patriotism in their messages risk missing the mark if protests continue.

Citi’s outgoing UK chief executive Michael Corbat released a statement Tuesday evening, saying: “I am disgusted by the actions of those who stormed the United States Capitol in an effort to disrupt the Electoral College certification, a process mandated by our Constitution as part of our practice of peaceful transitions of power between presidents. ”He went on to say that he hoped that“ people will be held accountable for their actions ”.

Brett Bruen, a former diplomat for President Obama and chief executive of consulting firm Global Situation Room, told Insider his company is currently sharing protocols with clients on how to act during civil unrest.

Asked what brands should do in this situation, he said companies shouldn’t be silent but “invest in initiatives that build respect in the process”.

He added: “There is no harm in coming out publicly and aggressively for unity and respect. We need loud voices to use the megaphone they have not only for marketing, but to convey. American history. “

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