14 November 2019

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United Poultry Concerns, Inc.
PO Box 150, Machipongo, VA 23405-0150
Phone: 757-678-7875 • FAX: 757-678-5070
www.upc-online.orginfo@upc-online.org


November 14, 2019

Pfizer, Inc.
235 East 42nd Street
NY, NY 10017


Dear Pfizer Representative:

On behalf of United Poultry Concerns, a national nonprofit that promotes the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl focusing on the plight and delight of chickens and turkeys, I am writing to tell you that we love your Chantix turkey commercials.

The Chantix turkey is adorable. Usually, we do not like seeing birds and other animals featured in advertising, as animals are typically stressed and mistreated in the making of films.

However, we understand that the Chantix turkey is an animated character, and we appreciate the fact that this bird, while a metaphor for people trying to quit smoking, is portrayed with dignity and charm. For this reason, we look forward to the various scenarios in which she/he appears in your Chantix commercials.

Please continue featuring the Chantix turkey. Please do not ever denigrate turkeys by taking a mocking turn in order to give an “edge” to what is a uniquely sympathetic and delightful image of a bird who, in conventional culture, is more often unfairly and inaccurately portrayed.

I have come to know turkeys. Over the years we’ve adopted several of them into our sanctuary. They are interesting, intelligent, sociable, and highly emotional birds. They like being around people. My acquaintance with turkeys and concern about the false stereotypes that harm them, led me to write my book More Than a Meal: The Turkey in History, Myth, Ritual, and Reality published by Lantern Books.

Thank you for creating the Chantix turkey for a cause most worthy. I hope we will continue seeing this charming bird with the lovably expressive face and eyes featured in your ads.

Sincerely,

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Karen Davis, PhD, President

 


United Poultry Concerns is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes the
compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl. http://www.upc-online.org

Federal ID: 52-1705678