Pot Smokers Unite Against Kellogg: The Pro Shop
Michael Phelps has found a rather large group of unlikely—or likely—supporters.
Pot smokers and marijuana advocates are banning together calling for a boycott of all Kellogg Co. products after the company dropped its sponsorship of Michael Phelps when a photo became public last week of him smoking a bong.
And they are a large group. Members of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) are angry and more than 2,300 signed an online petition. Also calling for a boycott are Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Drug Policy Alliance and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
MMP advocates regulating marijuana like alcohol saying it’s safer than drinking alcohol, less addictive and less toxic. In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, the executive director Rob Kampia called Kellogg’s decision to drop Phelps “hypocritical and disgusting” and said MPP members “are angrier than ever.”
Some of the activists said Kellogg had no room to talk since it makes millions of dollars manufacturing and marketing unhealthy products—those high in sugar and preservatives—to kids. Phelps had begun appearing in September on boxes of Corn Flakes and Frosted Flakes.
One activist wrote in an e-mail to others: “Kellogg may not be counting on the fact that more U.S. citizens have smoked marijuana—and lived to tell about—than not.”
They might have a point, but any brand marketing to kids has no choice but to drop pop stars, sports stars or anyone else that gets into serious trouble, whether anyone likes it or not.
I was at one of the final games at Yankee Stadium last summer sitting on the first-base line next to two young boys that I did not know. They looked about 10 years old, were dressed in full Yankee gear and had their mitts in hand to catch a foul ball. They knew all the players and their stats. They jumped up each time a player walked nearby and screamed for Derek Jeter and ARod to walk over and give them an autograph. And there are millions of these kids out there, adoring young fans that look up to—and want to be just like—many of the sports superstars. It’s hard to explain to them why Michael Phelps was smoking pot and why they should not. And now they have to digest why ARod lied about taking performance-enhancing drugs to cheat in the game.
That’s why Kellogg dumped Phelps and why Wrigley just suspended ads with pop star Chris Brown after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, singer Rihanna. The California Milk Processor’s Board is just ending a Milk Mustache campaign that featured Brown and was “taking the allegations very seriously.”
So the pot smokers may not eat Kellogg products and moms will continue to view Phelps as a great all American champion that ultimately let them down. But the jury is still out on the other advertisers—like Hilton, Powerbar, Speedo, Omega, AT&T and Visa—that have sent more than $100 million Phelp’s way in sponsorship dollars.
February 13th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Sorry but i don’t view smoking pot in the same category with assault.
The hypocrisy in the world of sports and endorsements is never-ending. You know that a lot of these sports people have used steroids but if it’s not proven absolutely positively and without questions, well, they’re not dumped.
And these guys who have had DUIs and such, well, i don’t keep track but i wonder if something as illegal as a DUI is regarded the same way as pot smoking, which is certainly safer than drunk driving.
The only excuse Kelloggs has is that smoking pot is still illegal. That is the sticking point.
i am proud of Subway and the others for keeping Phelps.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I am proud of Kellogg and wish A T & T, Hilton and VISA would join in. I have for nearly 40 years seen the devastation caused by tetrahydrocannabinol among a host of populations. Everyday we see more studies documenting the harm as a result of smoking marijuana. It is a very deceiving drug and causes great harm. No matter what the pot smokers say, there only intent is to normalize its use (hemp products, medical use, etc) so they can keep on using it and feed their addiction and cause more havoc and loss of productivity. Good for Kelloggs!!!
February 15th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Wow, Mr Kushner is very good at manipulating with words. I must admit that tetrahydrocannabinol sounds pretty scary. Also scary are Niacinamide and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride which are listed ingredients on my box of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies! Also BHT has been added to “maintain quality”. BHT or THC?? I wonder what all of the “studies” say about BHT.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Kellogg’s did not “drop” Phelps. They did not renew his sponsorship contract when it runs out one month after a great deal of publicity surrounding his behavior that was inconsistent with the Kellogg’s brand personality. So they will miss out on all of the great accomplishments at all of the next great swimming competitions featuring Phelps for a while. That seems like smart marketing and use of brand assets and budget to me.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
It is pretty funny, the media controls EVERYTHING. Kellogg’s does more to kill people for profit than marijuana ever will. Scary thing is that they sort of HAVE to drop Phelps, they are branded as healthy all American. I smoke pot every day, and think Kellogg’s are hypocrites, but they had no choice.
If you live in one of the 13 states that allow it, lucky you!