UFCW Calls for ABC News to Drop Wal-Mart as 'Only in America' Sponsor; Union Cites Deceptive Advertising Practice

WASHINGTON, March 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The United Food andCommercial Worker's Union (UFCW) sent a letter to ABC News todaydemanding that Wal-Mart be immediately removed as a sponsor of their"Only in America" series, citing misleading and deceptiveadvertising. Wal-Mart appears to be the primary paid sponsor of GoodMorning America's "Only in America" series, which tells stories ofcommon Americans and their love for the country and it's citizens.

"Wal-Mart's sponsorship of 'Only in America' is hypocritical, aswell as a cynical abuse of ABC News," stated UFCW President JoeHansen in a letter to ABC News President David Westin. "I call onyou, Mr. Westin, to drop Wal-Mart immediately as a sponsor of thissegment, and to take down the company's internet ads which furtherattempt to connect Wal-Mart with the 'Only in America' slogan."

The advertising campaign seems to be part of an "unusual" publicrelations offensive by Wal-Mart to counter growing concerns about thecorporate ethics of the retail giant. But, this is not the firsttime Wal-Mart has attempted to use patriotism as a marketing scheme. In the 1990's, Wal-Mart introduced its "Made in America" and "Bringit Home to the USA" campaigns. Broadcast and other news outlets soonexposed the gross deceptions in this ploy forcing Wal-Mart to dropthe marketing campaign. In fact, just recently, a new book entitledChina, Inc. found that 70 percent of the items sold by Wal-Mart aremanufactured in third world countries, most notable China.

"The UFCW, and all of working America, is deeply troubled by Wal-Mart's exploitation of ABC News," stated Hansen. "Wal-Mart's use ofits 'Only in America' sponsorship is simply another cynical attemptto deceive customers about Wal-Mart's responsibility for sending morejobs overseas than any other American corporation and lowering U.S.wages."

In addition to its letter to ABC News, the UFCW has launched an on-line petition for people to join the call to stop Wal- Mart'ssponsorship of this series. The petition can be found at http://www.ufcw.org.

For more information contact Greg Denier 202-466-1591 or go tohttp://www.ufcw.org

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