Pro-life group asks MTV to reconsider decision to yank ads

Austin, Texas, May 25, 2011 / 00:52 am

Heroic Media is hoping MTV will have a change of heart and reconsider pulling a pro-life ad campaign from its airwaves.

“Heroic Media has asked MTV to reconsider the decision and allow Heroic Media and other organizations to make women aware of the availability of life-affirming resources,” group spokeswoman Marissa Gabrysch told CNA on May 24.

The Texas-based pro-life group recently announced its We Can Help campaign, which was set to air for several weeks on the MTV and BET networks, starting May 2.

However, the ads – which provided practical information for women with unexpected pregnancies – were pulled after one airing.

MTV spokeswoman Jeannie Kedas told Fox News that the network cut the ads because of a controversial billboard campaign in New York City by a group with connections to Heroic Media.

On February 22, pro-life group Life Always displayed a prominent billboard depicting a young black girl beneath the phrase “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” The ad was removed within days, despite the protests of pro-life supporters around the U.S., including Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York.

Although MTV claims that the billboard is the main reason behind the cuts, Bill Eisner – head of Nonbox, a brand agency representing Heroic Media – argues that the real issue is the ads' conflict with some of the promotions between the network and Planned Parenthood.

Although the television network has denied the connection, Eisner says one of his network sales representative confirmed that MTV president Stephen Friedman chose to nix the ads because of the projects currently in place with Planned Parenthood.

Eisner added that MTV did not inform Heroic Media its ads had been canceled, and that the pro-life group reportedly found out after being contacted by a reporter.

Despite having its spots canceled, Gabrysch said, “Heroic Media remains committed to airing positive messages that connect women with hopeful alternatives to abortion.”

“Everything Heroic Media does is designed to reach women where they are,” she added, noting that when a woman learns “about compassionate, positive alternatives to abortion, she’ll choose life.”