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Protest over porn firm’s goods in stationary store
6:44pm Tuesday 20th May 2008
Comments (54)A PRIEST is taking on the might of the Playboy porn empire by protesting over its logo being emblazoned on products targeted at children in York.
Father Tim Jones, priest in charge of the parishes of St Lawrence and St Hilda, in York, carried out the demonstration at Stationery Box, in High Ousegate, which he said had displayed stationery products with the Playboy logo beside Mickey Mouse and Winnie The Pooh stationery.
Fr Tim, 40, said he encouraged shoppers in the store to sign a petition against "the intrusion of commercial brands such as Playboy into goods and services targeting children", and that five people in the shop signed the petition.
He said: "I told the assistant manager who was on duty at the till that I was going to be launching a protest at the shop, and I went over to where the Playboy material was on the shelf alongside the Winnie The Pooh and Mickey Mouse material, and I started tossing it on the floor away from where people were."
Fr Jones, who is a governor at St Lawrence's CE Primary School, in Heslington Road, said he moved the items on to an empty shelf after the store assistant manager pointed out they were a health and safety hazard on the floor.
The former University of York student said about an hour after the protest began "the group operations director offered to have all Playboy-related material removed from the shelves for the day."
The Stationery Box confirmed yesterday it had removed the product from sale in the store while it reviewed its merchandising policy.
In a statement Fr Jones gave to The Press, he said Playboy was using its brand to market many non-pornographic items, including products aimed at young children.
He said in the statement: "The long-term intention of this strategy is to encourage children to see the Playboy bunny as a friendly child-appropriate brand, preparing them for early commercial acceptance of Playboy pornographic merchandise.
"This constitutes a kind of institutional grooming' of children for their commercial exploitation by the powerful sex industry. This institutional grooming may be indirect but it is not accidental. It is deliberate, intentional, cynical and wicked, and must be resisted."
A spokesman for Stationery Box said: "Because we respect the views of the communities that we trade in, and following Fr Tim's visit, we have removed the product from sale, in this store, while we review our merchandising policy."
A spokesman for Playboy said: "We were surprised to discover that Playboy stationery has been so inappropriately positioned. Playboy's target audience is 18 to 34-year-olds so we clearly did not authorize, nor approve, the placement of our product next to such well known children's characters. Our licensee and its distributor were also unaware of this placement. We will be reviewing this situation immediately."
Have your say
Should a company that makes porn aim products at children?
Your Say YourYork Press
Redr, york says...
7:15pm Tue 20 May 08
jacqual wrote:What about mobile shops that sell stationery?
Please correct the headline, all stationery stores are stationary Please employ sub-editors who can spell!
By the way I agree with the priest, WH Smith at monks cross are selling playboy branded goods in the kids section.
my opinion, york says...
7:17pm Tue 20 May 08
yes its tacky cr@p but hes going a bit ott, if your reading can you get bratz removed from all stores too
Plaggy Terry, Classic Cnuts says...
7:38pm Tue 20 May 08
TW, Wrong Planet says...
7:46pm Tue 20 May 08
Tom2, York says...
9:46pm Tue 20 May 08
martin, York says...
9:56pm Tue 20 May 08
BL, says...
10:23pm Tue 20 May 08
my opinion, york says...
10:30pm Tue 20 May 08
Nemo, York says...
11:29pm Tue 20 May 08
This isn't a moral issue, it's a common sense issue. Think about it, if children are encouraged to buy playboy stationery, playboy quilt covers, playboy t-shirts and playboy jewellery then they begin to associate all of these things with glamour and their own self image. As they become aware of what the logo stands for they begin to see them self as an object of desire - another glamorous princess in the playboy mansion.
This effectively lays the ground work for those members of society that would seek to groom children through internet chat rooms etc. because the child already sees them self as a potential object of desire.
Playboy may not realise that their merchandise (which is sometimes sold in the kid's section of shops) is having this effect on children. But it is high time they gave it some consideration.
Their marketing campaign appears to inadvertently be encouraging children to be sexually aware and the Playboy Company would be well advised to re-think their marketing strategy.
Good on the priest for raising awareness of this important issue! I hope the Playboy company send him a letter of apology!
Vic, york says...
12:39am Wed 21 May 08
D Armstrong, York says...
8:55am Wed 21 May 08
D Armstrong, York says...
8:55am Wed 21 May 08
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
8:55am Wed 21 May 08
Jef, Yorkshire says...
9:17am Wed 21 May 08
D Armstrong wrote:And the right to protest
Good advertisment for the church, forcing their opinions on others. Grow up we live in 2008 not 1908 and have the right to choice.
Keith, York says...
9:19am Wed 21 May 08
I started tossing it on the floor away from where people were."
Hypocrite...!
(A), York says...
9:49am Wed 21 May 08
I'm getting sick to the teeth of overbearing, religious nutcases on the street telling us how to live - I noticed the cult of scientology had a huge marquee on Parliament Street yesterday, why did the council give them permission???
Anyway, I digress slightly - I would suggest Father Tim restricts his pontification to the pulpit - he has no business telling shops what they can and cannot sell.
Good to see the christian right was defeated in it's attempts to amend the abortion bill last night. . .
punk_ian, Leeds says...
9:49am Wed 21 May 08
big protest then, 5 people........think that sums up why the church isn't relevent anymore
Milton, York says...
10:38am Wed 21 May 08
eg. MacDonalds started doing a sideline in adult ****....makes ya think.
Jef, Yorkshire says...
10:46am Wed 21 May 08
punk_ian wrote:The church is relevant to plenty of people. The fact is the play boy logo is associated with glamour modelling. Is this brand relevant to children? Erm...no.
'and that five people in the shop signed the petition' big protest then, 5 people........think that sums up why the church isn't relevent anymore
thin libby, york says...
11:01am Wed 21 May 08
chunks, York says...
11:06am Wed 21 May 08
Jef, Yorkshire says...
11:12am Wed 21 May 08
thin libby wrote:The assistant manager did not object to him being there. he didn't hurt anyone. He was attempting to raise awareness of an issue that matters to him. Why arrest him?
why wasn t he arrested.are priests immune from prosecution.i m bloody sick to death of people hiding behind religion when trying to foist their views on others.
Why do people always accuse others of 'foisting' their views on them simply because they do not agree with the views? Are people that week minded that they worry about having views forced on them. If you don't agree say so. Or would you then be foisting your views on others?
Jef, Yorkshire says...
11:14am Wed 21 May 08
thin libby wrote:The assistant manager did not object to him being there. he didn't hurt anyone. He was attempting to raise awareness of an issue that matters to him. Why arrest him?
why wasn t he arrested.are priests immune from prosecution.i m bloody sick to death of people hiding behind religion when trying to foist their views on others.
Why do people always accuse others of 'foisting' their views on them simply because they do not agree with the views? Are people that week minded that they worry about having views forced on them. If you don't agree say so. Or would you then be foisting your views on others?
Jef, Yorkshire says...
11:14am Wed 21 May 08
thin libby wrote:The assistant manager did not object to him being there. he didn't hurt anyone. He was attempting to raise awareness of an issue that matters to him. Why arrest him?
why wasn t he arrested.are priests immune from prosecution.i m bloody sick to death of people hiding behind religion when trying to foist their views on others.
Why do people always accuse others of 'foisting' their views on them simply because they do not agree with the views? Are people that week minded that they worry about having views forced on them. If you don't agree say so. Or would you then be foisting your views on others?
GoodramgateTerrier, York says...
11:28am Wed 21 May 08
They (the Hello Kitty people)claim the product is aimed at the early 20's market not the under 10's surely this would be the case with the playboy marketed products as well, in which case the responsibility lies with the Consumer and not the retailer.
Mind you as the Crack Fox pointed out, idiots are everywhere and if you buy or let your your school age child buy any playboy merchandise in the first place then you are sick, it's not funny or cute and you need help.
maryjane, york says...
11:31am Wed 21 May 08
maryjane, york says...
11:33am Wed 21 May 08
Brian, york says...
11:40am Wed 21 May 08
Hawker, Home says...
12:10pm Wed 21 May 08
Have your say
Should a company that makes **** aim products at children?
The Playboy Company says:
Playboy's target audience is 18 to 34-year-olds so we clearly did not authorize, nor approve, the placement of our product next to such well known children's characters.
It seems obvious the company is not making products specifically aimed at children. Or is The Press talking about another adult product company not mentioned in the article? Are you sure you employ people qualified to be called reporters?
Jef, Yorkshire says...
12:27pm Wed 21 May 08
Hawker wrote:All those pencil cases and stationery sets are aimed at adults?! And what about their line of single duvet sets. Granted not all adults have double beds but most do...even if they are single.
The Press asks:Have your say Should a company that makes **** aim products at children?The Playboy Company says:Playboy's target audience is 18 to 34-year-olds so we clearly did not authorize, nor approve, the placement of our product next to such well known children's characters.It seems obvious the company is not making products specifically aimed at children. Or is The Press talking about another adult product company not mentioned in the article? Are you sure you employ people qualified to be called reporters?
Jackanory, York says...
12:42pm Wed 21 May 08
James Christie, York says...
12:57pm Wed 21 May 08
Aren't there any more pressing problems in the world to which they could turn their attention?
Yorkenstein, York says...
1:11pm Wed 21 May 08
If there was a Razzle logo on it, there would perhaps be an arguement.
Playboy is perhaps more representative of a lifestyle brand, not a grot-mag.
Anyway, logo shouldn;t be on kids stuff at all.
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
1:17pm Wed 21 May 08
Yorkenstein wrote:Does Razzle have a logo??
Playboy isn't pornography. If there was a Razzle logo on it, there would perhaps be an arguement. Playboy is perhaps more representative of a lifestyle brand, not a grot-mag. Anyway, logo shouldn;t be on kids stuff at all.
Pedro, says...
1:52pm Wed 21 May 08
Choccybasha, York says...
1:53pm Wed 21 May 08
James Christie wrote:Clearly not. Does anyone even GO to church anymore???
Perhaps if the Catholic Church had shown just a tiny bit more determination in dealing with paedophile priests, it might have retained sufficient moral authority to start pontificating about advertising logos. Aren't there any more pressing problems in the world to which they could turn their attention?
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
1:58pm Wed 21 May 08
Pedro wrote:Yeah, good point, like the daily sport, that verges on p*rn anyway
I find it laughable that he can get hot under his collar about a cartoon bunny when with yards of the shop are several newsagents selling newspapers with (posed) naked and topless women in it. That have no age restrictions as to who buys them!
Jef, Yorkshire says...
2:32pm Wed 21 May 08
Choccybasha wrote:Hilarious! Yes they do.
James Christie wrote: Perhaps if the Catholic Church had shown just a tiny bit more determination in dealing with paedophile priests, it might have retained sufficient moral authority to start pontificating about advertising logos. Aren't there any more pressing problems in the world to which they could turn their attention?Clearly not. Does anyone even GO to church anymore???
Redr, york says...
2:51pm Wed 21 May 08
James Christie wrote:He isn't Catholic, he is married with children.
Perhaps if the Catholic Church had shown just a tiny bit more determination in dealing with paedophile priests, it might have retained sufficient moral authority to start pontificating about advertising logos. Aren't there any more pressing problems in the world to which they could turn their attention?
Yorkenstein, York says...
3:18pm Wed 21 May 08
The Crack Fox wrote:it should do.
Yorkenstein wrote: Playboy isn't pornography. If there was a Razzle logo on it, there would perhaps be an arguement. Playboy is perhaps more representative of a lifestyle brand, not a grot-mag. Anyway, logo shouldn;t be on kids stuff at all.Does Razzle have a logo??
Keith, York says...
3:21pm Wed 21 May 08
Keith wrote:Come on... surely someone found that funny!
I started tossing it on the floor away from where people were."Hypocrite...!
Quinonostante, Totnes says...
3:38pm Wed 21 May 08
I am constantly aware of my own 13 year old daughter's dread of attending school wearing something which doesn't fit in with what Companies and the Media are marketing as something they must have in order to 'belong'. (Her school has a non uniform policy).
My daughter is not alone! Talking to her friends I found they all spend a lot of their precious youth worrying whether their hair is as cool as Victoria Beckham or their figure as (supposedly) perfect as Paris Hilton. They worry whether they have the correct stationery, bag, cosmetics, clothing.....the list goes on.
The penalties for young people who are unable to compete are harsh - they are bullied.
The whole marketing culture places enormous financial strain on parents, who feel pressure to ensure their child fits in, and causes far too much damage to the wellbeing of our valuable youngsters
Quinonostante, Totnes says...
3:44pm Wed 21 May 08
I am constantly aware of my own 13 year old daughter's dread of attending school wearing something which doesn't fit in with what Companies and the Media are marketing as something they must have in order to 'belong'. (Her school has a non uniform policy).
My daughter is not alone! Talking to her friends I found they all spend a lot of their precious youth worrying whether their hair is as cool as Victoria Beckham or their figure as (supposedly) perfect as Paris Hilton. They worry whether they have the correct stationery, bag, cosmetics, clothing.....the list goes on.
The penalties for young people who are unable to compete are harsh - they are bullied.
The whole marketing culture places enormous financial strain on parents, who feel pressure to ensure their child fits in, and causes far too much damage to the wellbeing of our valuable youngsters
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
4:13pm Wed 21 May 08
Quinonostante wrote:Errr, yeah, mainly cause it sounds like your kig is a bit of a geek.... I mean there's such a thing as style you know...
All hail the Reverend. This Playboy issue is just another example of Product Pressure aimed at stressed out and already anxious teenagers! I am constantly aware of my own 13 year old daughter's dread of attending school wearing something which doesn't fit in with what Companies and the Media are marketing as something they must have in order to 'belong'. (Her school has a non uniform policy). My daughter is not alone! Talking to her friends I found they all spend a lot of their precious youth worrying whether their hair is as cool as Victoria Beckham or their figure as (supposedly) perfect as Paris Hilton. They worry whether they have the correct stationery, bag, cosmetics, clothing.....the list goes on. The penalties for young people who are unable to compete are harsh - they are bullied. The whole marketing culture places enormous financial strain on parents, who feel pressure to ensure their child fits in, and causes far too much damage to the wellbeing of our valuable youngsters
dgen, says...
7:01pm Wed 21 May 08
Definitely inappropriately positioned.
Milton, York says...
7:05pm Wed 21 May 08
The Stigs Wife, york says...
7:45pm Wed 21 May 08
Fellowtraveller1, Scarborough says...
8:24pm Wed 21 May 08
Keith wrote:Be fair - he was only trying to avoid any unfortunate slip-ups.
I started tossing it on the floor away from where people were."Hypocrite...!
The Stigs Wife, york says...
8:27pm Wed 21 May 08
Pedro wrote:posed topless is not exactly **** is it??
I find it laughable that he can get hot under his collar about a cartoon bunny when with yards of the shop are several newsagents selling newspapers with (posed) naked and topless women in it. That have no age restrictions as to who buys them!
believe me...i know!!
Katherine Mondavi, Nether Poppleton says...
11:39pm Wed 21 May 08
larkin, leeds says...
10:11pm Thu 22 May 08
quotefeeling up little boys or girls why dont they just get on with trying to dole out GOD instead of interfearing with things that have nothing to do with CHURCH!
Uncle Tony, York says...
3:53pm Fri 23 May 08
However, this didn't give him the right to start throwing the goods in the floor. They didn't belong to him and I'm surprised that the manager didn't eject him from the store for this behaviour. If a layman had done this he would have been labelled as a yobbo. The priest should have made his protestations without resorting to such juvenile methods.
Uncle Tony, York says...
3:54pm Fri 23 May 08
On the floor, even. Oops.
Father Tim Jones with his petition in Stationary Box, in York
A shop worker removes the offending Playboy items
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jacqual, The Boondocks says...
7:01pm Tue 20 May 08
Please employ sub-editors who can spell!