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Gilbert Gottfried out as Aflac duck over Japan quake jokes
We didn't mention Aflac in our story today on insurance company advertising, which was focused on auto coverage. But it's worth noting that disability insurer Aflac made news today, when it fired the longtime voice of its iconic duck mascot.
The company has "severed ties" with loudmouth comedian Gilbert Gottfried, over a series of Twitter one-liners making fun of Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. Aflac says the dozen jokes that Gottfried tweeted over the weekend "were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac." The company went on to say, "There is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times."
Aflac happens to be the top-ranked foreign insurer in Japan, where it started selling cancer-expense policies in the 1970s. The company still takes in roughly three-quarters of its revenue from Japan.
Aflac, by the way, was already using a different voice for its duck ads in Japan. It says it's launching a casting call to find a new voice for its duck on this side of the Pacific.
*Photo: Gilbert Gottfried performs in New York City. Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images *
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I am requesting specific information regarding the Afflack spokesperson audio audition. What is the "tape" format that is acceptable? What are the specifications (if any) for the audition, e.g., length of sample or number of samples? What is the address to which the "tape" can be sent?
Thank you.
Actually..."its" is correct.
"Its" is a possessive pronoun, meaning "of it" or "belonging to it" "It's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has"
In this context, the 'it' refers to Aflac and the possession of Gottfried as the Aflac spokesman, so the possessive form "its" (with no apostrophe) is used.
AFLAC actually does a lot of business in Japan.Either Gottfried didn't know that which is VERY hard to believe or as noted by Laura with a slightly different word choice he is more stupid than most. I am not generally in favor of censorship of spokesperson comments but AFLAC really had no choice
AFLAC actually does a lot of business in Japan.Either Gottfried didn't know that which is VERY hard to believe or as noted by Laura with a slightly different word choice he is more stupid than most. I am not generally in favor of censorship of spokesperson comments but AFLAC really had no choice
Not to be persnickety but you are--or you're--wrong.
Both "it's" and "its" in the last sentence of the first paragraph of this article are used correctly.
"It's" is a contracted form of "it is" while "its" is the third person gender neutral possessive.
It's a pity that so many people know so little about the English language yet are certain that they know so much about its grammar.
I am extremely interested in auditioning for the role left by Gottfried for Aflack.
I have been in the Theatre for the past thiry years, working in the live theatre, serving as Artist in Residence for the State of Florida, and Department Head for three Arts Schools throughout the state.
Having been a vocal coach and an accent teacher, I feel that I am qualifired for the role.
Please consider me for the role and contact me as to how to audition.
Thank you Toni Degregory
A persnickety grammar note — You have a typo at the end of the first paragraph: "...fired the longtime voice of *it’s* iconic duck mascot."
Not to be persnickety but you are--or you're--wrong.
Both "it's" and "its" in the last sentence of the first paragraph of this article are used correctly.
"It's" is a contracted form of "it is" while "its" is the third person gender neutral possessive.
It's a pity that so many people know so little about the English language yet are certain that they know so much about its grammar.
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