Sunday, August 05, 2012

Amtrak vs. Chick fil-A

While the media and America were distracted by the controversy over Dan Cathy's remarks in opposition to homosexual marriage and the backfired boycott of Chick fil-A, Amtrak quietly cruised into a new advertising campaign specifically targeting homosexuals as niche customers.

The media kinda kept quite on this, apparently not wanting to out Amtrak in the midst of a social morals controversy being driven by Amtrak's desired client base.

So.....just one more business to write off my list as far as I am concerned. Any time a business starts making its business decisions based upon political correctness and egalitarianism, they have permanently lost me as a customer.


Screen shot of "Ride With Pride" program (credit: Amtrak)

Taxpayer-Funded Amtrak Releases Ads Targeted For Gay Couples

Taxpayer-funded Amtrak has released a new ad campaign targeted for gay and lesbian couples.
The “Ride With Pride” program encourages couples to go to gay-friendly destinations, like Martha’s Vineyard, on its website.
“This island paradise is the perfect destination for a gay or lesbian couple looking for a tranquil getaway,” the site states.
The program also lets children ride for half-off, whether they are with gay or straight couples.
Amtrak calls the diversity program a priority.
“We understand that valuing diversity is not only a good thing to do, but a business necessity beyond compliance that plays a vital role in customer service delivery and ultimately the success of our operations,” the website states. “Simply put, our business diversity philosophy means commitment to ensuring our company embraces a culture of respect and appreciation for differences and similarities of all people.”
Cliff Cole, an Amtrak spokesperson, told CBSDC that they have not received any criticism of the program despite being a government-funded company that has already received more than $1 billion this year.
“Amtrak has not received any backlash,” Cole said. “A lot of positive feedback.”
Coincidentally, the Amtrak ad campaign was released the same week as the Chick-fil-A gay marriage controversy.

2 comments:

Priscilla Benitez said...

I am confused...so, are you saying that you are writing Amtrak off your list as a company because of these ads?

This is not a new campaign, they have actually been running these gay ads for a few years.

Prime said...

Yeah, I'd say that was what I said.
"Any time a business starts making its business decisions based upon political correctness and egalitarianism, they have permanently lost me as a customer."

When businesses and corporations seek to enhance their business model by catering to social special interests or any other special interests for that matter, It is time for me to look elsewhere.

I do not accept or adhere to the belief in niche Americans or hyphenated Americans. Aim your business model at ALL Americans is the only policy that I can truly appreciate.

If the business model is aimed at Catholics or Jews, or protestants as a group, then that is wrong IMO.

No different than targeting single parents as preferred customers over traditional two parent families or vice versa.