ABC News reports that Toyota dealers have decided to remove their television advertisements from ABC affiliates in the Southeast in reaction to recent reporting by the network and Brian Ross on problems with Toyota vehicles:
The ad agency representing the 173 dealers told ABC affiliates last week that the shift was due to “excessive stories on the Toyota issues.” The dealers shifted their commercial time buys to non-ABC stations in the same markets, “as punishment for the reporting,” according to an ABC station manager.
The decision to shift the commercials was made last week, though it appears it was against the advisement of the ad agency handling the accounts for Southeast Toyota.
ABC News has not been the only news outlet reporting on this story, though Ross’ investigative reports have been the most visible and thorough on television. Ross noted it was reporting in the LA Times that first raised questions.