Update 3/13: Bowing to corporate America, Judge Baker center loses face (Opinion, Boston Globe)

By now you may have heard (or read, in the New York Times) how the multi-billion dollar Disney Corp. saw to it that the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, their $250,000 budget and two, count ‘em, two staff members were booted from their home at the Judge Baker Children’s Center.

Disney sicked their lawyers on CCFC’s Harvard-based sponsor when they realized that the organization could actually affect their magical brand identity: CCFC had called Disney on their Baby Einstein marketing claims.

It’s a shame. Disney could have taken this opportunity to engage instead of fight.

Although I thought it impossible, my disdain for Disney has reached a new low high.* What to do? There’s a difficulty in taking my business elsewhere, since Disney owns everything. Almost literally. (My 12-year-old has suggested a Year Without Disney. Book deal and Colbert appearance? Hmm.)

Looks like the Judge Baker Center is suffering over its decision. And CCFC lives to advocate another day.

Can you help? Support CCFC.

Read more:

Critics of Baby Einstein DVDs say Disney pressed landlord to evict them (LA Times)
“Mouse Inc?” Disney Bullies Small & Mighty CCFC From Home? (Amy Jussel, Shaping Youth)
Did Disney Threaten a Children’s Mental Health Center? Read Between the Lines (Newsweek)
and All I think about is princesses . . .

Image courtesy bixentro

*3/13 Note to self: Get an editor.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 7:21 pm and is filed under Disney. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.