As a follow up to our post last week about a Memphis-area Burger King declaring on its signage that “Global Warming Is Baloney,” it’s worth sharing Leo Hickman’s conversation with the marketing director of the BK franchise-owner responsible for the signs, Mirabile Investment Corporation.
One of our favorite journalists and a features editor for the UK’s Guardian, Hickman wanted to see if he could get more information from both MIC and Burger King Corp on the growing controversy. Burger King Corp was quick to tell him “the statement that was posted on several restaurants’ reader boards in the Memphis area and the view expressed by the franchisee on this issue does not reflect Burger King Corp.’s (BKC) opinion or view.” He then reached out to MIC’s marketing director, J.J. McNelis, and, as he explains, his phone call proved to be “one of the more memorable calls [he's] made as a journalist.” It was clear he was dealing with a rogue franchisee.
Hickman writes,
Chris Davis, the Memphis Flyer writer, had said that his calls for a quote had remained unanswered. So I decided to see if a little English charm could draw the evidently coy MIC out of its shell and, to my surprise, I was patched straight through by the operator to J.J. McNelis, MIC’s marketing president. What proceeded was one of the more memorable calls I’ve made as a journalist…here, for your delectation, is the full transcript of the call I had with the soon-to-be-legendary J.J. McNelis. As another well-known burger chain would probably say, we’re lovin’ it:
Me: How does your company react to this story?
McNelis: We’ve certainly observed what’s been going on. A quick answer to what our reaction is would most accurately be described as amusement.
Me: Why do you say that?
McNelis: It’s pretty amusing the amount of fervour that some of the people bring to their arguments on this issue.
Me: People who believe in global warming?
McNelis: No, people on all sides.
Me: Where did these signs come from? Was it the managers in each restaurant that put them up?
McNelis: I don’t have those details.
Me: Have they all come down now?
McNelis: I think so. It’s the best I can tell.
Me: BK Corp issued a statement saying that ‘global warming is baloney’ wasn’t their view and that they had asked you to take them down. Is that your understanding of it?
McNelis: I can’t speak for them. I would think they would run from any form of controversy kinda like cockroaches when the lights get turned on. I’m not aware of any direction that they gave the franchisee and I don’t think they have the authority to do it. The franchisee can put on a sign whatever he wants.
more…
Here’s a clip (via Ecorazzi) of Roland Saekow who, like millions of other graduating college students, is entering the “real world,” with its battered economy and fragile environment (or is it fragile economy and battered environment?). But with people like Saekow bringing their ideas and energy, the future is looking bright (green). We thought it was time to tip our caps to this new wave of thinkers.
