Tell Geico to End Rodeo Sponsorships...Ride ‘em, Gecko

[Ed: Note: As of July 2012, SHARK announces: "Geico is no longer listed as a rodeo sponsor on the PRCA website, and it appears that they are not supporting any rodeos this year."

[Ed. Note: Action alert from SHARK: Boycott Geico for Sponsoring Rodeo (June 2011).]

FROM The National Humane Education Society (NHES)

ACTION

If you’re a GEICO customer, please send them a polite letter letting them know of your disappointment in their choosing to partner with organizations that abuse animals. Then, cancel your policy.

Tony Nicely, Chairman, President and CEO
Corporate headquarters
5260 Western Avenue
Chevy Chase MD 20815
AND
One GEICO Plaza
Washington, DC 20076

Email: tnicely@geico.com

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

According to a news source, “ProRodeo fans get ready! The widely popular and iconic GEICO Caveman and Gecko personalities are preparing to “Cowboy Up”!

”The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is excited to announce a new partnership with GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. GEICO will be unveiling its new event footprint for ProRodeo fans at several rodeos this summer and the WNFR in December.”

Rodeos are cruel to animals. The animals suffer not just in the ring from the abusive techniques used to make a docile animal buck and kick, but also when they travel, which is often through the heat of the summer in cramped trucks and trailers.

GEICO wants us to insure our homes, autos, boats, etc., with them. We wish they’d insure safe keeping for animals by discontinuing their support of rodeos and the brutal activities found at them.

From Geico's website:
http://www.geico.com/about/pressreleases/2011/20110509/http://www.cattlebusinessweekly.com/main.asp?SectionID=20&SubSectionID=32&ArticleID=3430

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 9, 2011 – ProRodeo fans get ready! The widely popular and iconic GEICO Caveman and Gecko personalities are preparing to "Cowboy Up"!

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is excited to announce a new partnership with GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. GEICO will be unveiling its new event footprint for ProRodeo fans at several rodeos this summer and the WNFR in December.

As an official partner of the PRCA, GEICO will have a major presence on the PRCA’s GAC TV coverage. Rodeos selected by GEICO for 2011 activations include the Clark County Fair & Rodeo, Reno Rodeo, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas.

"We are proud to be partnering with the PRCA and the exciting world of ProRodeo," said Ted Ward, GEICO vice president. "ProRodeo has grown immensely over the years and its fans are very passionate about the sport. This partnership provides us with a great opportunity to build GEICO brand awareness within this vast community."

GEICO’s sponsorship deal will raise awareness with ProRodeo fans and create promotional opportunities with its widely popular and iconic Caveman and Gecko personalities.

"Given that the majority of our membership and fan base depend heavily on motor vehicles for their business and leisure travel, this partnership is a perfect fit in offering an affordable insurance option," stated PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. "I have a great deal of respect for GEICO and their parent company, Berkshire Hathaway…we’re glad to have business partners of this caliber join us."

Thank you for everything you do for animals!