Allstate's response to my email

So, do you guys remember when I posted about the Allstate ad here?

Here is the letter I sent via their website:

Customer Message : I just have to tell you how offensive I found your
NASCAR commercial where the female cop (and those four women) pull over
Kasey Kane (Kahne) and then oogle him.

Is this really the message you want to be sending to young NASCAR fans,
male or female? That sexual harassment is not only funny, but it's
okay?

I have been a NASCAR fan for thirty years and I have to say this is one
of the most offensive commercials I have ever seen. I only wish I had your
insurance so I could cancel it.

Please re-consider your decision to run this terribly offensinve ad.
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And as I was checking my gmail account today, I found a response:

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Dear Mrs. Lannom,

We believe that everyone deserves an individual response, and we value
the questions and feedback we receive. Therefore, we'd like to take this
opportunity to respond to your email.

We appreciate the comments you provided regarding our advertising. The
advertising we create is based on extensive consumer research, which we
use to determine the most effective advertising message that will appeal
to the widest audience. While we try hard to create messages that are
relevant to everyone, unfortunately there will always be some who may
find a particular message unappealing. We're sorry you found this to be
the case.

We hope that in the future you will find our advertising messages both
informative and appealing. Thank you for visiting the Allstate website
and sending us your e-mail. We truly appreciate you taking the time to
share your thoughts with us.

Sincerely,


Tammy Downs
Allstate Insurance Company
Customer Advocate
1-800-347-8277 Ext. 4469
Fax: 1-866-224-5564
Tammy.Downs@Allstate.com

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I was, in a word, shocked. Shocked and appalled. Here is my response:

Ms. Downs,

So, what you're saying is that your "extensive consumer research" has found that a police officer mis-using her authority to aid and abet sexual harassment the "most effective advertising message" that will "appeal to the widest audience" and is a "message that is relevant to everyone"?

What world do you live in where this is not only okay, but an image you want to have associated with your company?

Sexual harassment is a crime. Mis-use of police authority is also a crime.

That commercial is not funny. It is irresponsible and it sends the wrong message to both women and men.

If it was a female driver being pulled over and oogled by a male police officer and a bunch of guys, it would never be allowed on the air.

Think about it.

Cathy Lannom
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I don't know what else to say.