Vodafone Wins
the First PETA India Glitterbox Award for its
Animal-Friendly 'Zoozoo' Ad
Animal Rights
Group Commends Company for Using 'Live' Animation Instead of a Live Animal
in Its Latest Ad
India|May'2009:For leaving the competition in the dust with its "ZooZoo"
ad, Vodafone has won the first of PETA's 2009 Glitterbox Awards, which are
given to businesses that take advantage of humane alternatives to the use
of real animals in their ads.
"ZooZoo" is part of the latest Vodafone ad
campaign, which has replaced the company's "Pug"
ad campaign. PETA has raised objections in the
past to the use of animals (including a parakeet
and a dog) in Vodafone's (Hutch) ad campaigns.
Vodafone's (Hutch) first "Pug" ad was bad news for real-life pugs. Many
people who saw the ad later purchased pugs, and breeders cranked out as
many of the animals as they could. Later, when their appeal wore off, many
dogs ended up in animal shelters or were simply abandoned.
Pugs face unique health challenges. Their unnaturally short faces and
upturned noses lead to breathing difficulties and make them susceptible to
heatstroke. Their compromised respiratory systems make anesthetising them
a risk. Most of the females can't even give birth without the help of a
veterinarian. Their large, shallow-set eyes are extremely vulnerable to
injury and infection. Pugs are also prone to serious brain disease, joint
problems and skin and allergy problems.
In response to PETA's objection to the unregulated use of animals in
films, the Bombay High Court issued a judgment which required the Central
Board for Film Certification (CBFC) to ask applicants to furnish a
no-objection certificate from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
before certifying any film in which animals have been used.
"The latest ZooZoo ads are a refreshing change from the earlier
Vodafone (Hutch) ad campaigns", says PETA Chief Functionary Anuradha
Sawhney. "The popularity of this ad campaign proves that there are many
creative ways to convey a message without using animals. Animals used in
films are often treated as little more than props, and many suffer
terribly behind the scenes."
Reachout's News Bureau
May' 2009
