Why the infuriatingly catchy Kars4Kids jingle got yanked off the air in California
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The frustratingly unforgettable Kars4kids jingle, which has been worming its way into listeners’ brains for decades, is officially banned from the airways in California.While the 1-877-KARS4KIDS song has been called one of the most memorable jingles in history, a local court has ruled it is misleading.A California man took the group behind it to court, saying he donated an old car to Kars4Kids, thinking its value would be used to help underprivileged children.
He didn’t know the money generated was used to support Oorah, a Jewish organization that helps fund young adult trips to Israel.An Orange County court judge ruled late last week that the New Jersey-based group’s advertisements were misleading because they omitted the company’s religious affiliation and hid the charity’s true mission.The charity organization violated state laws against false advertising and unfair competition, the court ruled.
“The failure to disclose that funds benefit adults and families — and that this support is contingent upon a specific religious affiliation — is a material omission,” the ruling states.Kars4Kids must pull its advertisements from the state within 30 days.
Any new advertisement in California must clearly disclose the nonprofit’s religious affiliation and specify for whom the money will be used, the court ruled.A Kars4Kids spokesperson said the ruling is deeply flawed, and the organization will appeal.
“We believe this case was nothing more than a lawyer-driven attempt to siphon off charitable funds for their own gain,” the spokesperson said.“The law and the facts are clearly on our side.” The jingle first aired in the 1990s and has been loved and loathed by listeners ever since.
It has been the subject of talk show commentary and featured in “The Simpsons.” Most donations go to help Jewish youth and families, the company’s chief operating executive, ...