Banned United Church of Christ TV Ad Named Outstanding Commercial of 2004 by Commercial Closet Association

Banned United Church of Christ TV Ad Named Outstanding Commercial of 2004 by Commercial Closet Association

NEW YORK, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- A United Church of Christ television commercial by Gotham Inc., banned by the big three television networks, was named Outstanding 2004 Commercial for its positive portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people at the first-ever Commercial Closet IMAGES IN ADVERTISING AWARDS last night.

The nonprofit Commercial Closet Association (www.commercialcloset.org) works to improve public opinion of the LGBT community through more informed LGBT portrayals in the powerful medium of advertising.

Honored for its bold embrace of diversity, the United Church of Christ commercial stirred controversy with its portrayal of a male couple prevented from entering a church by two bouncers. The commercial concludes with a diverse group of church members that includes a female couple. The full list of winners can be found at: http://65.110.71.27/comc/winners.cfm

Hosted by Merrill Lynch at its headquarters in the World Financial Center, the IMAGES IN ADVERTISING AWARDS featured a special appearance by comedian Kate Clinton and was co-hosted by Queer Eye for the Straight Guy stars Thom Filicia and Kyan Douglas.

Other awards presented at the event included:

* Outstanding Achievement by Advertising Industry Professional: Kenneth Cole was saluted for consistently creating attention-grabbing advertising that takes high-profile stands on political and social issues, including a 2004 campaign that promoted equal marriage rights.

* Outstanding Gay Market Creative Ad: Wyndham Hotels and its ad agency Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners were recognized for a series of ads that portrayed gay couples in a positive light and challenged cliches and stereotypes.

* Outstanding Mainstream Print Ad/Outdoor: PinkTV, France's 24-hour gay channel, was honored for featuring a 1984 photograph of former French President Francois Mitterrand and ex-German leader Helmut Kohl with the headline, "A relationship is about more than just sex."

* The Clean-Up-Your-Act Notice: General Motors Corp.'s Chevrolet Colorado and Campbell-Ewald Advertising earned this dubious distinction for a television commercial in which several men in a pickup truck become noticeably uncomfortable when one male passenger loudly sings the Shania Twain hit "Man, I Feel Like a Woman."

Winners of the IMAGES IN ADVERTISING AWARDS were selected by Commercial Closet's executive and advisory boards, which include leading advertising and creative industry professionals.

Source: Commercial Closet

CONTACT: Nelta Sanon of Michael Kaminer Public Relations,
+1-212-627-8098, or nelta@mkpr.com, for Commercial Closet

Web site: http://www.commercialcloset.org/

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