For Immediate Release

July 27, 2004 CONTACT: Ken Boehm 703-237-1970

SUBWAY Unveils New European Advertising Strategy – Attack U.S. Symbols, Insult Americans

“Why Are Americans So Fat?” Headlines Tray-liners in German SUBWAY restaurants

http://www.nlpc.org/view.asp?action=viewArticle&aid=583

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the National Legal and Policy Center called on the SUBWAY restaurant chain to immediately stop a European advertising campaign designed to exploit anti-American sentiment in countries like Germany. SUBWAY restaurants in Germany now feature tray-liners and posters promoting the film “Super Size Me.” They portray an obese Statue of Liberty holding a package of fries and a hamburger and begin with the bold headline “Why Are Americans So Fat?”

“SUBWAY has defined a new low in corporate behavior with this campaign,” said Ken Boehm, Chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center. He continued, “Inflaming cultural tensions to increase market share is immoral and dangerous. Americans deserve to know about SUBWAY’S campaign to insult us abroad and to attack our national symbols.

“We agree with House Majority Leader Tom DeLay when he says, ‘This is every bad stereotype about corporate America come true.’”

The National Legal and Policy Center provided a translation of the tray-liner and announced that it would open an investigation into SUBWAY and its financial connections with the film “Super Size Me” and its director, comedian Morgan Spurlock.

To see the actual tray-liner, visit www.nlpc.org. The translation of the tray-liner is as follows:

HEAD: “Why are the Americans so fat?”

Michael Moore quote: “The only time I have been scared for my life has been going through a McDonald’s drive-thru.”

The New York Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock asked in Michael-Moore-style this profound question and lived on fast food in a self-experiment for 30 days of only products of the largest fast-food chain in the world. Astonishingly [the results]: 25 pounds more around the ribs, alarming liver count and blood count, which would alarm any doctor.

In his top-Satire, which won the prize for best direction in Sundance 2004 for an outstanding film, Spurlock questions the responsibility of affiliated groups and consumers, the large amount of money that the “fast-food-culture” has made and the alternative – to make the heavy-weighted Americans again a healthier population. An ironic blow to the stomach - loaded with a lot of fat and facts about a questionable mega-industry.

Super Size Me
A true fat film by Morgan Spurlock…Now in theaters!

Don’t care what you eat? Then do not allow yourself to miss this exciting and important Film about the dangers of poor nourishment – it will open your eyes!

NLPC promotes ethics in public life and sponsors the Corporate Integrity Project.

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