Liberty Mutual Insurance is running a series of TV ads featuring an emu
outfitted with sunglasses, wigs and other demeaning attire. The emu is shown
in front of a store window sparring with his or her reflected image and in a
car reacting to a loud bang. The emu is being made fun of, but there is
nothing funny about this bird’s distress and defenseless caricature in these
ads. Having watched video footage of violent efforts to subdue a terrified
emu for a horrible human purpose, I’m certain that the making of these ads
involves violence to the emus, who would never voluntarily submit to being
manhandled into wearing cruel apparel and being visually impaired with
sunglasses.
I wrote to Liberty Mutual CEO, David H. Long, on Sept. 24th [READ
THE LETTER] noting that emus belong to the oldest living family of birds
on earth. They are gentle, friendly, desert-dwelling nomads with a strong
family life in which both parents participate in nest-building and raising
their young. Why should they be belittled and abused by Liberty Mutual
Insurance?
The company needs to pull these offensive emu ads and confine their advertising scenarios to human actors.
The long necks and excellent periscopic vision of emus enable them to survey
the land for miles in all directions at once. Emu parents incubate and raise
their young together. They are very gentle birds.
Ask Liberty Mutual Insurance to remove their offensive emu
commercials. Violating the dignity of birds and other animals to sell
insurance is unacceptable. Request a reply to your complaint.
Contact:
David H. Long, Chairman and CEO
Liberty Mutual Insurance
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Phone: (617) 357-9500
Customer Service
Phone: (800) 290-8206 and (800) 290-7933
Tweet: @AskLiberty
for customer service related concerns or inquiries.
“CONTACT US” Via Liberty Mutual Insurance Website
Jan Whalen and Bluie the Emu in Everett, Washington - photo courtesy of Jan
Whalen
Learn more about Emus and Ostriches HERE.
Read Victims in the Shadows: Emus HERE.
Thank you for everything you do for animals!
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