Action Alert

Trunk Monkey Advertisement

Two New Suburban Auto Group "Trunk Monkey" Ads
December 3, 2007

Marketing agency R/West and Limbo Films, a Portland-based film production company, recently announced the upcoming release of two new “Trunk Monkey” television commercials for Suburban Auto Group.

Most of us have already seen the original “Trunk Monkey” spots that began airing in 2003. These new ads are equally demeaning to great apes and exploit a chimpanzee “actor,” although the parties involved have been educated by the Chimpanzee Collaboratory and other animal advocacy groups on the cruel treatment of chimpanzees in entertainment.

Please let Limbo Films, R/West, and Suburban Auto Group know that representing a critically endangered species as a cute joke just isn't funny... in fact, it’s downright shameful. Tell them you strongly urge them NOT to air the newest “Trunk Monkey” ads.

Gary Nolton, Director
Limbo Films
1801 NW Northrup
Portland, OR 97209
503-228-0844
gary@limbofilms.com

Sean Blixseth, President
R/West
1430 SE 3rd, Floor 3
Portland, OR 97214
503-223-5443
seanb@r-west.com

Nancy Jaksich, Owner
Suburban Auto Group
36936 Hwy 26
PO Box 363
Sandy, OR 97055

Sample Letter or Email

Dear [NAME],

I was extremely disappointed to hear that [COMPANY] is planning to air two new “Trunk Monkey” ads that feature a chimpanzee “actor.” Chimpanzees used in entertainment are taken away from their mothers at birth, causing irreparable psychological harm. Training methods are physically and psychologically brutal, living conditions are impoverished, and “retirement” at age 6 or 7 usually means being cast off to roadside zoos or other substandard facilities, and sometimes condemnation to solitary confinement.

In addition to welfare concerns, chimpanzees are an endangered species, and using them in TV ads seriously hampers conservation efforts. Please develop more creative and less exploitive ads in the future, and make the responsible decision NOT to air these new ads, which demean chimpanzees and support animal cruelty. I look forward to hearing from you on this urgent matter.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]