News Archive
Sir Paul McCartney Slams Sponsorship of Extravaganza 1999 by P&G
Sir Paul McCartney issued a statement last week urging bands
and DJs who appeared at Extravaganza 1999 (1)
to distance themselves from its lead sponsor, the brand Sunny Delight.
Sunny Delight is manufactured by the multinational chemical and detergent
firm Procter & Gamble (P&G).
P&G have been the subject of an international boycott for over five
years because of their continued use of animal tests in the development
of their brands. The boycott is supported by animal protection organisations
across the world such as Uncaged Campaigns (authors of this release),
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and U.S. based In Defense
of Animals.
In a statement (copy to follow) issued through Uncaged Campaigns, Sir
Paul said:
"I am appalled that Sunny Delight is being promoted to tens
of thousands of young people through its lead sponsorship of the Extravaganza
1999 event at Earls Court this coming weekend. I’m sure that, once
they know about Procter & Gamble’s animal testing, many of
the bands and artists involved with the event will be unhappy to be
associated with this event.
"I would urge all the bands and DJs participating to distance
themselves from this cruel animal testing company by either withdrawing
from the event or by issuing a statement disassociating themselves from
Sunny Delight."
Dan Lyons, Campaigns Director at Uncaged Campaigns, adds:
"Procter & Gamble’s animal tests are paid for with
the profits from the sale of their products. Every bottle of Sunny Delight
sold as a result of the promotion given to the brand by Extravaganza
1999 means more money for more animal experiments. Inadvertently, the
artists appearing at the event are helping to fund painful and lethal
experiments on animals."
Uncaged Campaigns held a demonstration outside Earls Court from 10am
‘til 4pm on every day of Extravaganza 1999 (29 May - June 1). Campaigners
wore animal costumes and displayed an 8 foot high spoof of Sunny Delight,
renamed Sunny Despair. A 10 foot banner was also displayed, reading "Sunny
Delight = cruelty to animals". Thousands of leaflets were distributed
to educate the public about the need to Boycott Procter & Gamble.
The campaigning charity VIVA! helped with the effort by distributing Boycott
P&G literature inside the venue.
"We want to let people know the awful truth behind Sunny Delight",
explains Dan Lyons. "We urge everyone to boycott Sunny Delight.
Financial pressure is the only language that companies like P&G
seem to understand. It’s vitally important that consumers withdraw
their support from animal testing companies if we are to stop cruelty
to animals."
Notes
- Extravaganza 1999 was a youth event organised by Capital
FM and held at Earls Court from Saturday 29 May to Tuesday 1 June. Artists
appearing at Extravaganza 1999 included: Fierce, Next of Kin, Leilani,
S Club 7, 21st Century Girls, A1, Justin and Christian Fry. DJs include
James Cannon and Margherita Taylor (both from Capital FM). All of these
artists were contacted by Uncaged Campaigns regarding Sunny Delight/Procter
& Gamble’s sponsorship of the event. They were asked to either
withdraw or issue a statement distancing themselves from Sunny Delight/Procter
& Gamble. Copies of Uncaged Campaigns’ correspondence to artists
and DJs are available on request. None of the artists bothered to reply.
Statement from Sir Paul McCartney
Sunny Delight sponsorship of Extravaganza 1999, Earls Court, 29 May
- 1 June 1999
The image-makers for Sunny Delight try to create a wholesome impression
of their product. But the reality is that Procter & Gamble, Sunny
Delight’s manufacturer, is a multinational company that deliberately
inflicts pain, misery and death on thousands of animals in the development
of its products. These cruel and unnecessary tests are paid for with
profits from the sale of brands such as Sunny Delight.
I am appalled that Sunny Delight is being promoted to tens of thousands
of young people through its lead sponsorship of the Extravaganza 1999
event at Earls Court this coming weekend. I’m sure that, once they
know about Procter & Gamble’s animal testing, many of the bands
and artists involved with the event will be unhappy to be associated
with this event.
I would urge all the bands and DJs participating to distance themselves
from this cruel animal testing company by either withdrawing from the
event or by issuing a statement disassociating themselves from Sunny
Delight.
If people knew the awful truth about brands like Sunny Delight,
then falling sales of their products would force Procter & Gamble
to reconsider their cruel practices. That is why it’s so important
that products such as Sunny Delight are not given a platform to promote
themselves, and thus promote cruelty to animals, without consumers knowing
the full picture.
Sir Paul McCartney
Uncaged Campaigns 02.06.99
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