AN ELLEN REFERENDUM

Chrysler, besieged by calls regarding its decision not to advertise on the Ellen coming-out episode, has set up a touch-tone service to let viewers register their opinion.





Megan Giles, public relations manager for Chrysler, said the automaker’s toll-free customer phone number (1-800-992-1997) has been inundated with calls from people on both sides of the issue.





Phone representatives at the center, which usually handles vehicle-related concerns, were unable to handle the volume of Ellen calls from emotional and angry callers.





Now, callers can hear a recorded explanation of the company’s decision to stay out of that episode of Ellen, starring Ellen DeGeneres (shown here).





Calls, e-mails and letters have been evenly split between the two camps, Giles said.





Chrysler advertised on last week’s episode ‘now that the controversy is dying down.’