Please Read: N.U.D.

[AKA2D '91]

FYI...


> > > You have probably heard of "N. U. D." as a result of
> > > the Tom Joyner morning show related to CompUSA. NUD
> >is the acronym for a very subtle and little-known
> >marketing term specifically directed toward people of
> > > color.
> > >
> > > NUD stands for Non Urban Dictate. These three words
> > > essentially mean that a company is not interested in
> >the Black Consumer.
> > > An NUD label means that a company does not want
> >their marketing and advertising materials placed
> > > in media that claim an urban audience as their main
> > > target. There are legitimate reasons for companies
> >not using urban radio. It may be that Blacks don't
> >index high in certain categories or that a company's
> > > strategy is to market to the Black consumer down the
> >road after they have established a strong position in
> >their primary target.
> > >
> > > But "NUD" usually means that a company is not
> > > interested in the Black consumer. Companies evade
> >discrimination liability by embracing it as theory
> >rather than policy. As a service to Black consumers,
> >the Urban Institute will list all companies that have
> >an NUD policy. Armed with this information, we feel
> >that Black consumers will be able to make informed
> > > buying decisions.
> > >
> > > Companies with NUD:
> >
> > > Starbucks
> > > Jos. A Bank
> > > CompUSA
> > > Weight Watchers
> > > Keebler
> > > Life Savers
> > > Continental Airlines
> > > Northwest Airlines
> > > America West Airlines
> > > HBO - Apollo Series
> > > Paternal Importers
> > > Calico Corners
> > > OM Scott
> > > Pepperidge Farms
> > > Ethan Allen
> > > Busy Body Fitness
> > > Mondavi Wines
> > > Builders Square
> > > Don Pablo
> > > Lexus
> > > Aruba Tourism
> > > Ciba Vision
> > > Kindercare
> > > Grady Restaurant
> > > Eddie Bauer
> > >
> > > Please forward this information on to any other
> > > consumer that you consider a friend and advise them
> >to do likewise. Remember, we can't act wisely unless
> >we are informed wisely.
> > >
> > > The Urban Institute
> > > 2100 M Street, N.W.
> > > Washington, DC 20037
> > > 202) 833-7200

[SweetestDiva]

I rarely start the morning without my Starbucks!

[techie_girl_44]

FYI:

From the Urban Institute website

Urban Institute Not Involved
with So-Called Non-Urban Dictate List

April 5, 2002 — The Urban Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational organization, has been incorrectly cited in circulating e-mail and fax lists of companies with "non urban dictates," or NUDs. The email and fax incorrectly cite the Urban Institute as the organization that compiles or maintains the "NUD list."

The Urban Institute is not in any way associated with the purported research or with any supposed list of companies with NUDs, and never was. It has nonetheless been inundated with inquiries.

The Urban Institute was wrongfully credited with maintaining the "NUD list" four years ago, thanks to what is assumed to be a misspelling of Urban Insite-an organization that once claimed responsibility for the NUD list. Later iterations of the circulating email include the Urban Institute's address, phone number and Internet address. The fax version includes falsified Urban Institute letterhead.

As a response to numerous phone inquiries, the Urban Institute has dedicated a special phone line to explain the issue at (202) 261-5779.

[ClassyLady]

If the Urban Institute is not the organization circulating this list, then who is and how credible are they? I want to know if this information is accurate so I can snatch my business away from the companies on this list that I patronize.

If we as a people could stop spending our money with ungrateful companies, we would be a powerful force to be reckoned with.

[techie_girl_44]

Originally posted by ClassyLady
If the Urban Institute is not the organization circulating this list, then who is and how credible are they? I want to know if this information is accurate so I can snatch my business away from the companies on this list that I patronize.

If we as a people could stop spending our money with ungrateful companies, we would be a powerful force to be reckoned with.

The Urban Institute's website gives credit for the list to a group called Urban Insite (Urban Insite website). However, when I checked the Urban Insite website, I found nothing about the N.U.D. The list was released 4 years ago and I think they may have since taken it off their website. I have to say, although it doesn't look like anybody is going to claim credit for this list, it looks like it's on the up and up. I mean, think about the commercials you see for these companies. Certain ethnicities are noticably missing from their advertisements. I'm going to do further investigation into this because I know I and other curious minds want to know more.

[#1 Leading Lady]

Originally posted by SweetestDiva
I rarely start the morning without my Starbucks!

I am with you on that!!! Hi, my name is #1 LL and I am a Star Bucks-aholic. My body needs a MOCHA every morning to insure that #1 LL will be pleasant and professional.

Puhleeze say this ain't sooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by #1 Leading Lady


I am with you on that!!! Hi, my name is #1 LL and I am a Star Bucks-aholic. My body needs a MOCHA every morning to insure that #1 LL will be pleasant and professional.

Puhleeze say this ain't sooooooooooooooooooooooo

I think techie_girl_44's post may debunk this "urban legend." I'm not a Starbucks-aholic, but I enjoy a white chocolate mocha once in a while.

[lil_sunshine]

I remember receiving an e-mail about NUD's about a year ago and it still baffles me that companies such as these are soooo petty as far as who their consumers are. I love me some Goldfish from Pepperidge Farm and some CremeSavers. I also like a Caramel Frappuchino every once in a while. I kinda suspected that Eddie Bauer was on this tip, especially after a customer in one of the stores was harassed by security b/c he was black. What gets me the most, though, is the fact that, ironically, there's an NUD in Harlem, USA: STARBUCKS!!!!

[Discogoddess]

I've been seeing this NUD email circulate for years now, and I've never heard any follow-up as to whether these companies do take a "non-urban" approach to radio advertising. The message seems suspect to me, as the companies listed don't seem to do much radio advertising, period (in my experience as a listener of all kinds of radio). In fact, I could have sworn that I've heard commercials for Starbucks coffee (available in grocery stores) and for Weight Watchers (Points System) on at least one urban radio station here in Chicago.

So, has the NAACP, Urban League or any African American professional group approached these companies and asked if they spend advertising dollars on radio, and if so, what percentage is spent on urban radio? What has been the companies' response?

Do we know what percentage of business African Americans make up for each of these companies? Should black people expect that every company, regardless of its customer demographics, to advertise on urban radio? I've never been sure what black folks were supposed to do with this info.

[LikeASista]

Okay, no one's responded to this post since 2002. I'd like to know if there have been any reports adding credibility to this so-called NUD list, because i gotta have my daily drip of Starbucks, too!!

[Senusret I]

Not quite a hoax, but also not totally accurate:
http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/nuds.html