Last night, I got on Cardi’s Furniture and NBC Providence affiliate for running what was supposed to be a humorous ad during the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The animation ad which showed the three owners of the furniture store chain crashing their bobsled and going over the track hit too close to home especially after a story on the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili aired at the beginning of NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony. The ad ran one more time before being pulled.
Today, a statement was made by Peter Cardi, one of the owners of Cardi’s Furniture.
"A Terrible Coincidence"
Dear Fellow Rhode Islanders:
Prior to the Olympic opening ceremonies this past Friday evening, a tragedy happened at the Olympics as an athlete lost his life in the sport of Luge.
I was unaware of this incident until seeing the pre-opening coverage.
Unfortunately, an animated commercial that was prepared several months ago, aired during that opening coverage of the Olympics following the story of the tragedy.
Similar versions of this commercial have been used in prior Winter Olympic Seasons.
Once we were aware of the tragic loss of life, we recognized this commercial should not have aired and we are sorry it did.
This past Friday evening, within minutes of the story being broadcast in the opening ceremonies, we asked all media to take the commercial off air as soon as possible.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the athletes family and team mates.
On behalf of Nick, Ron, myself and all of us at Cardi's Furniture, we truly apologize
Sincerely,
Peter Cardi
Good of Cardi Furniture to take quick action, but again, this ad should have been pulled before it aired knowing the situation in Vancouver.
