Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai have pulled their ads from "The O'Reilly Factor" after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against the host.
Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai have moved their advertising off the Fox News Channel’s “O’Reilly Factor” after new allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against the program’s host, Bill O’Reilly.
“The allegations are disturbing and, given the importance of women in every aspect of our business, we don’t feel this is a good environment in which to advertise our products right now,” Mercedes said in a statement released after the advertising was shifted to other programing.
Donna Boland, manager of corporate communications for Mercedes Benz USA, told the trade publication Variety the automaker will instead run advertising on other programming carried on the Fox News Channel, which is owned by 21st Century Fox-owned outlet.
Hyundai did not have ads running currently on the show, but did have them scheduled in the future and elected to pull those. Officials said in a statement the company would “monitor and evaluate the situation.”
Over the weekend, the New York Times reported that five women had received payments of about $13 million from Fox in exchange for agreeing not to pursue litigation or speaking of about the settlements.
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O’Reilly, the article noted, is the star of Fox’s prime time news programming. In a statement, O’Reilly said his fame had made him a target, but that no complaint about him had ever been made through Fox’s human-resources hotline.
The $13 million paid to settlement the allegations against O’Reilly are over and above the millions of dollars paid out to settle complaints against former Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes, who was pushed out after an internal investigation found that he had used his position to make unwanted sexual advances towards females employed by the network.
The manipulation of the company’s financial records used to cover up some of the settlements involving Ailes is now the target of an investigation by the office of the New York State attorney general.
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O’Reilly’s bombastic style has made him popular with Fox News’ conservative-leaning audience and the O’ Reilly is also one of the leading defenders in the conservative media of President Donald Trump.
Mercedes-Benz’ decision to move its advertising away from O’Reilly’s “Factor” may not have financial consequences for the network since company is simply moving its ads to other Fox News content. The tactic is commonly used by advertisers who want to avoid negative publicity associated with a particular program, according to Variety.
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The decision by Mercedes-Benz to move the advertising underscores the growing challenges facing carmakers face in placing their spots in an era of polarized politics and heightened sensitivities on about any kind of political or social issue.