Petitioning of individual companies will resume soon. For now though I’ve created an official petition at Change.org to tell all advertisers, including companies thinking about advertising in the Toronto Sun to avoid doing so.
Please sign it and share it with friends and with your employer.
Posted by Justin Beach on January 30, 2012
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/operation-sunset-the-petition/
As Christmas approached, I deliberately let this die down a little bit. I thought that with people being busy with the holidays, it would be better to wait a bit. But now we’re back and going full steam ahead. I’ve just added a new page to help you shop for a new car. I’m not asking that everyone contact each of these companies, there are too many and a new car isn’t something that people buy on a regular basis. Still, if you do happen to be in the market you may have to look outside the GTA. Have a look at this!
Posted by Justin Beach on January 19, 2012
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/and-were-back-companies-and-dealers-to-avoid-when-shopping-for-a-new-car/
A speedy response from Smart Set – Only about 12 hours after they were initially contacted. While it doesn’t say that they will pull their ads, it at least shows concern and further action may come from their marketing department. Please keep contacting companies that advertise in the Sun, the boycott won’t work if we don’t tell them why we’re boycotting.
Good afternoon, Thank you for taking the time to contact us; it is always a pleasure to hear from our customers. We were disappointed to hear that you were displeased by our advertising in the Toronto Sun. Feedback and suggestions from customers such as you are very important to us. Rest assured that your comments regarding advertising in the Toronto Sun have been forwarded to the SmartSet Marketing department. Should you have any other comments, or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.
Sincerely,
Brandy Sargent
Customer Service Leader
Posted by Justin Beach on December 16, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/promising-initial-response-from-smart-set/
The latest batch of companies has been added to the list. The truth is that the Toronto Sun doesn’t have that many advertisers to begin with. There are auto-dealers, lots of them. I’m trying to formulate a strategy to target all of those at once (suggestions are welcome) but they are next on the list. In the mean time please contact the following companies (and any others on the list that you haven’t already.)
There has also been discussion around other newspapers in the Sun chain. I started this campaign against the Toronto Sun specifically because I feel that they represent the exact opposite of the best interests of Toronto. However, it is my understanding that, each Sun paper has local editorial control. Because I do not live in Winnipeg or Vancouver I did not feel that it was my place to attack those papers. However, if people elsewhere want to launch a campaign against their own Sun Paper I will link to it from this site and help to spread the word.
Active Green + Ross – Web Contact Form
Belairdirect.com – belairdirect.ontario@belairdirect.com
Clearly Contacts – Web Form
Smart Set – web form
Tiger Direct – Web Form
Posted by Justin Beach on December 16, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/5-more-companies-added-to-the-list/
5 more companies for the list today. If you haven’t already please contact as many of the other companies included as you can. I’ve created a sample letter for anyone who feels uncomfortable creating their own. More updates and additions will come soon, along with a petition to companies that we have not added to the list and to those considering advertising in the Sun that have not yet.
Fido – Web Form
Ford (automotive) – Web Form
Match.com/Match.ca – Web Form
Pennington’s Plus (Reitman’s) – Web Form
StealTheDeal.com – Web Form
Posted by Justin Beach on December 5, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/5-more-companies-added-including-ford-fido-match-com-and-reitmans/
This site is dedicated to a boycott against companies that advertise in the Toronto Sun because, we feel, that they are acting against the best interests of Toronto when they do so. However, that does not mean the site has to be entirely negative.
If your company or business, large or small, refuses on principle to advertise in Toronto Sun or will agree not to in future, send an email to TorontoSunset@gmail.com and I’ll add a page dedicated to those companies and encourage people to do business with them. If your email includes stated reasons why you do not advertise in the Sun, I may post that to the blog as well (if you do not wish to have your comments posted, please indicate this in the email.)
Posted by Justin Beach on November 29, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/to-companies-that-do-not-advertise-in-the-sun/
The first response from HMV doesn’t say very much:
Thank you for your email, and for providing us with your perspective and opinions regarding HMV’s choice of advertising mediums. We understand your comments and concerns, and respect the decision you have made based upon the reasoning presented.
Regards,
HMV Customer Service
The first response from Subway is a bit more promising (though it doesn’t actually promise anything).
Thank you for contacting Subway® and thank you very much for your feedback regarding our advertisement in the Toronto Sun. Subway® has always valued our customers’ opinions and suggestions and we appreciate you taking the time to submit yours.
Your concerns have been forwarded to our Marketing Department for consideration.
If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please let me know.
Thanks,
Mary
Keep emailing them, writing, calling etc., and help make their decision easier.
Posted by Justin Beach on November 28, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/34/
5 more companies added to the list as of today. There are others but the hope is to not overwhelm people by asking them to contact 100 companies in a day. Still, if you missed the first round, please contact the companies on the list and let them know you are boycotting and why. More companies will be added later in the week.
American Express – If you have an American Express card, contact info is here
Leon’s (Furniture) – Web Form
Pizza Pizza – Web Form
Sleep Factory – inquiries@sleepfactory.com
Wind Mobile – Web Form
Posted by Justin Beach on November 28, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/5-more-for-the-list-amex-pizza-pizza-wind-mobile/
This was sent to an Operation Sunset supporter (name withheld by request) in response to his contact with HBC. The sender, Brian Reeves, is very diplomatic and understanding but clearly does not see the connection we’ve made between advertisers and the media they choose to support.
If you haven’t contacted the Bay yet, please take Mr. Reeves comments into account when doing so.
Dear Mr *********:
I am sorry you are dissatisfied with the placement of our advertising. We never want to offend our consumers, but at the same time, we recognize that not all share the same views. We are fortunate in Canada to have standards (backed by regulatory authorities) that ensure our media conform to society’s values, but at the same time we also have long tradition of free and open speech. We trust that consumers will choose the media that best reflects their personal values, but we still want to ensure all consumers have access to our communication.
We constantly review our communication vehicles, and will take your concerns under advisement.
Regards,
Brian Reeves
Media Director
Hudson’s Bay Company
Media Services Department
176 Yonge Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2L7
brian.reeves@hbc.com
Phone: 416-861-6785
Fax: 416-861-6790
Posted by Justin Beach on November 27, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/first-response-from-the-bay-hbc/
About Comment Moderation
In case anyone is unaware, I made the decision to disallow comments defending the Sun or urging the cancellation of this campaign. I have and I suspect most of this campaigns supporters have had this debate many times before. The debate about whether or not Sun News, Fox News, the World Weekly News and similar publications contribute anything to public discourse and whether or not it’s a violation of free speech to go after them.
The rejected comments tend to run along the lines of
There are a limited number of hours in my day and I launched this campaign to act, not continue the debate. I am also not particularly interested in moderating the shouting match that would, no doubt, result if the debate continued here. In my view this site is about moving on from that debate. I’ve heard the counter-arguments, I don’t buy them and no new arguments are being introduced here.
If supporters of this campaign are interested in having the debate with those who are opposed to it (many of whom, I believe, work for the Sun) let me know and we’ll try to find a way to make that happen. Otherwise, it’s a big internet and the Sun’s employees and other supporter can find another forum for their views.
Posted by Justin Beach on November 29, 2011
http://operationsunset.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/about-comment-moderation/