Canadian coffee chain giant Tim Hortons seems to be much more comfortable serving double-doubles than navigating the tricky world of pipeline politics.
Facing pressure from some anti-pipeline customers, Tims has announced it will no longer be running advertisements for Enbridge.
The spots had been airing for close to three weeks on screens at more than 1,500 Tim Hortons locations between British Columbia and Ontario on Tims TV.
The campaign was supposed to run for another week.
An online petition from a group called SumOfUs urged Tim Hortons to yank the ads, accusing the company of “shilling” for the oilsands shipper.
Tim Hortons replied with this phrase to most Twitter users. (Twitter)
Tim Hortons responded to several Twitter users by saying it values the feedback and the ads will no longer be airing on Tims TV.
The SumOfUs group thanked supporters on its website, “who came together to demand that Tim Hortons pull its advertising campaign with Enbridge. They listened and just pulled the ads!”
In a statement, Enbridge spokesman Graham White says the company enjoyed working with Tims and respects its decision.
Disappointed in @TimHortons. AB energy companies fuel our economy, provide jobs, and adhere to strict environmental standards. #ableg #ymm
— Brian Jean (@BrianJeanWRP) June 4, 2015
Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline has proven to be a controversial project in B.C. The $7.9 billion pipeline would ship oilsands bitumen from Alberta to the west coast. The earliest it will be in operation is 2019.
There are numerous hurdles to be overcome before then:
- Meet 209 conditions; fewer than 30 have been fully completed.
- Bring aboriginal communities onside – 26 of 45 have signed up.
- Deal with First Nations court challenges.
- Secure continued commercial support.
- Satisfy British Columbia’s conditions.
The decision by Tim Hortons is sparking backlash in Alberta, where some customers are pledging their own boycott. Politicians, including Defence Minister Jason Kenney, took to Twitter to voice their support for Enbridge.
“I’m proud to represent thousands of constituents who work for Enbridge & other CDN energy companies,” wrote Kenney, who represents the riding of Calgary Southeast.
I guess we will also need to boycott Esso. #BoycottTims pic.twitter.com/UVGnmTWpoL
— Joel (@native_CDN) June 4, 2015
Marketing experts suggest Tim Hortons was over-sensitive to the petition and the company needs to clearly state its corporate philosophy.
“Enbridge, of course, is not just pipelines and oilsands; they are a whole range of products including heating people’s homes,” said Alan Middleton of York University. “Tims should have thought about that.”
Tim Hortons did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source:: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tim-hortons-stops-running-ads-for-enbridge-1.3100676?cmp=rss
