Do you ever feel like you’re powerless over the negative messages that companies have on their ads or commercials? Well, you’re not alone. Within the past month, two big companies have actually pulled commercials due to customer complaints about the messages they’re sending.

The first was actually the Sketchers ad that we blogged about for Shape-ups for Girls. Parents complained that the commercial (which was played on kids networks such as Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon) sent the message to young girls that they should be unhappy with their bodies. Parents also complained that the ad campaign encouraged young girls to be thin and toned. After receiving such negative feedback, Sketchers apologized saying “they were only trying to encourage girls to be active”. However, they did remove the ads from TV and they also stopped selling the shoes on their website.

The General Mills Company also pulled their commercial for Yoplait Light after receiving a complaint from the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). The ad shows a skinny woman anxiously trying to justify eating raspberry cheesecake. She eventually chooses to eat Yoplait Light yogurt to lose weight instead. NEDA said the commercial sent the message to people suffering from eating disorders that overthinking food choices and feeling guilty about eating certain foods is normal. In my opinion, the commercial also sends the message that society supports losing weight no matter how thin you already are.

Although we can’t change all the negative messages we see in the media, these are two great examples of how we as a society can have an impact. If you see an ad or commercial that you feel sends a bad message, or one that you really love, write a letter to the company. You might be surprised to find out what a big an impact you can make.

Here are some tips for writing a letter:

• Make it personal. Tell the company or editor why you support the message they are sending or why you find it offensive or negative.
• Be clear about the change that you want the company to make after reading your letter. (Example: to remove the ad or change it and why.)
• Respond as quickly as you can.
• Find more support. Send the letter to your town or school newspaper because you might find other people who feel the same way as you do who can also write letters.
• Make sure you check the company’s website or magazine to make sure you e-mail or mail your letter to the right place and person.

-Brooke, CYWH Summer Volunteer