THIS is how you handle something properly - Corporate, DID style… A niche, but hear me out:
Justifying my point to someone who said I was being too sensitive:
“Actually, I get angry when people make fun of people who have survived severe trauma. You call that offended. I call it common decency.”
My response as a consumer, to their international CEO in regards to their Advertisement:
It has come to my attention that in an advertisement for your banana split, you have chosen to make mental illness the punchline. This is in reference to the “Split personality? Order two!” sign. I would like to inform you that this is extremely offensive.
It’s called Dissociative Identity Disorder - and it is caused by chronic and severe trauma during early childhood.
I have been a customer at Dairy Queen for over a decade, and you have lost a lifetime of business from this former customer.
I would also like to inform you that DID occurs at a rate of 1% in the general population. You have just alienated and made a tasteless joke in reference to 1 out of every 100 customers.
And finally, I wanted to let you know that you have made survivors of the most horrific trauma and abuse a punchline.
Please reconsider this ad and remove it before you cause more damage to your company.
Sincerely, Eleanor Hutchinson (a real life person with DID)]
And today, to my shock and amazement:
Dear Ms. Hutchinson,
Thank you for reaching out to John Gainor regarding the point of sale
poster for the banana split seen in Texas.
I am so sorry we have upset you and offended you. Please accept my
apologies on behalf of John and the corporation.
Everyone on Texas Marketing and Operations teams is working to have this
removed and destroyed immediately.
Kind regards,
Carolyn
Carolyn Kidder
Senior Fan Relations Manager
American Dairy Queen Corporation ”: ]
Ms. Kidder,
Your apology is warmly accepted. Thank you for listening and responding so gracefully. DQ has been a brand I have been loyal to since childhood, and have had the fondest memories. I’m reminded of fund raisers in the community; and the sponsorship of my high school’s hockey team, along with the Peer Mentors program.
You have certainly won back my current and future business. I think I’m going to have to go get a blizzard 😊
Thank you for listening to the DID community’s feedback. It helps restore your faith a bit, you know?
Take care,Eleanor Hutchinson ]
Long story short; A+ to Dairy Queen for being so responsive. I love you more than I thought possible :,)