A radical new campaign launched earlier this week is asking African American consumers not to purchase T-Mobile products or services.

According to Kimber Kimber Associates, the organisation behind the ‘Our Fair Share’ campaign, T-Mobile is one of several companies who spend next to nothing on advertising in the black press.

The company claims it is the racist views of advertising executives, which is the primary reason behind T-Mobile’s unwillingness to place ads in black papers.

Kimber cites the myths that black people cannot read, and that white newspapers reach the black community more effectively as examples.

Les Kimber, the company’s president commented that, “These assumptions are ridiculous to say the least, and have no place in today’s market place.�

He said that there will be a concerted effort between now and next spring amongst African American newspapers to demonstrate that black people do actually read.

“This is why more than 100 black owned newspapers will begin to run full page ads to discourage African American consumers from purchasing products and services from T-Mobile�.

Revealing figures

According to Kimber, looking at the breakdown of T-Mobile’s advertising budget exposes huge disparities in the amount spent with black newspapers in comparison to white ones.

The company said that in 2003, T-Mobile spent less than $25,000 with African American papers while spending over $90 million with local white-owned publications during the same time period.

They also state that the mobile phone company is on course to have spent over $110 million with white newspapers by the end of 2004.

Mr Kimber thinks the numbers involved clearly show the continued prevalence of racist opinions; he said this evidence justified the boycott.

“This absence of African American newspaper placements, demonstrate a certain belief in negative racial stereotypes and a particular unwillingness to partner with African American-owned print media.�

While T-Mobile does advertise in some other sectors of the black media, newspapers are virtually ignored.

A source at a New York newspaper publisher said the industry didn’t want these large companies to start diverting their current black TV and radio advertising budgets to newspapers, but they did want a fairer deal.

“What we are saying is that in the white community they advertise on television, on radio and in newspapers, but in our community they exclude the newspapers.

Something is very wrong with this picture. Especially when you consider that black newspapers are well established and have been printing for over 50 to 100 years.�

source:alternative media

Your havinga laugh. I've been T-mobile/121 from day dot and have no plans to stop

I think I'll keep my free after 6 and 50 free texts a months thank you very much

If they use Black contractors and hire a decent number of Blacks ,I think its a waste of time.

Actually I have been with T-mobile since 1998

they are OKAY

but I am going to change to 3G next may

and since T-mobile have racist views of blacks they can kiss my ass.

I agree with Cashmoney. All my friends use T-mobile, if i boycott T-mobile, no one is gonna call me again. i enjoy the services I am receiving from T mobile at the moment, no plan to change. Sorry

@sooofresh

offtopic.gifDoes that mean u had a phone @12

By the way...3G services are doodoo...they reel u in with the cheaprates balah blah blah...

but u never can actually make a flipping call always no service or emergency call only...or on 2.5G or 1G...u can still make a call on that but can't use the browser...that is why all the other networks have not improved their prices yet...because of the problems with 3G...it can get infuriating...

I'll give it another year, year and a half before contemplating taking on 3G...perhaps then it will be improved...in fact i'm cancelling my tariff next month when it runs out...

[line]


OK T-mobile are racist what about all the other networks who is to say they are not either...should I exchange one racist network for another...

@sooofresh

My bad...this is no lie...I gotmy first phone in 2000 when I wasjust starting uni...I was one of those who said "I don't need a phone" now i got one too many...

Your friends must be one of the lucky ones....I've had mine for almost a year...gonna cancel that ish right there...for me service is doodoo...

I hear that...but why do u think all them GSM networks have not reduced their rates in line with 3G...its because ppl are complaining...and switching back and paying that little bit extra for absolutely nothing...they are laughing at 3G

Now I hear vodaphone is trying to get ppl to switch to 3G...plus i was one of the originals my phone is a remote control...brick...yeah have fun with it...its like doing weights carrying that monster about with me...

As for ur upgrades stop dropping it in water then init...makes sense...or pick a good phone...just pay a little extra...easy way to cut bills roll with PAYG...ain't got no money can't speak...simple...

BTW 200mins ...a month i know u waaaaay more talkative than that...u need at least 750mins...My ASSumption is not far off though is it???

I suppose everybody got a gripe with what they got...but I got me T-mobile...after 6 and weekends...so I make sure any new ppl I meet are on T-mobile...or is it I don't take notice of people who are not on T-mobile.confused3

LOL @sooofresh

Nokia may be a good phone company (debatable)...but some of their phones are rubbish...they have different ones you know...LOL

Supposedly if u have insurance with carphone warehouse...they are obliged to give out new phones...to people...they have a quota of 85% payout on insurance...seems with your troubles u should give them a ring...plus they would just say dust damage...concerning the sahara...

Orange...u won't be hearing from me...LOLsmoking-devil

Anyway my bad folks back to the topic...

T-mobile....grrrr...

@soofresh wrote: treading on thin ice MT LOL, beside I have my own phone line and mobile and I use the one at my dads workplace for free damnnnnnnnn still bill is high. I call someone for 10 mins , I check how many minutes I have left and somehow it does not add up.


May be something is wrong with yourMaths

offtopic.gifWhat do you have against Nigerian, you always have something to say about them. I know you are Nigerien , or your dad is from Niger, what is your beef with the Nigerians.

Have I missed something...what has that got to do with Nigerians...confused3