Verizon: ‘I’ll watch anything except this’ Ukrainian dancing

Verizon

For American TV watchers, telecommunications giant Verizon’s latest campaign ‘Customize TV’ features Ukrainian culture in the not-so greatest light. Featuring Rashida Jones from the Office and Parks & Rec, she pleads to have the channel changed from airing Ukrainian dancers, uttering ‘I’ll watch anything except this’. See below:

For those who want to express themselves, Verizon has a Facebook page and Twitter. As well they can be reached over the phone:

If you want to submit an inquiry or concern to Verizon’s Office of Ethics and Business Conduct, please call the VZ Compliance Guideline at 844.VZGUIDE (844.894.8433) for U.S., (+) 800-0-624-0007 for International

31 thoughts on “Verizon: ‘I’ll watch anything except this’ Ukrainian dancing”

  1. this advertisement is by far one of the most insulting and insensitive yet. Ukraine is under attack by the Putin worshipping Russians and you choose to insult a country under siege. Good move, not. Makes you look ignorant. And by the way, their dancers are highly trained professionals that should be respected. I am SO GLAD I am not a customer of such an uninformed company, and now I never will be. I will tell anyone I know about your ignorant and insensitive advertisement.

  2. i would far rather watch Ukrainian dancers on tv than the stupid reality shows that the networks are airing. Talk about no brainers and idiots behaving like idiots and fools.

  3. Dear Sirs:
    Whatever came over your commercial writers/producers to create a commercial denigrating Ukrainian folk dancing is beyond comprehension for me. Hundreds, probably even thousands, of kids and young adults in North America attend classes weekly or even several times a week to learn and master Ukrainian folk dancing which helps them occupy themselves with something that plugs them into world culture and the art of dancing and keeps them from engaging in those activities that lead other youth to crime, and yet Verizon has nothing better to do than to thrash and make fun of the object of their sincere interest, enthusiasm, and commitment. As a teacher I have found it impressive how participation in Ukrainian dance groups has a very positive and constructive influence on them in cultivating a sense of dignity, gracefulness in behavior, respectfulness, and self-confidence, qualities which one would hope could somehow be installed in all our youth.
    Frankly, as a subscriber of Verizon services I find this commercial tasteless and the concept simply despicable. Knowing that my payments will be used for such base attempt at humor at the cost of what I know is valuable in the lives of the young people I work with, will lead me to reconsider whether my values would allow me to stay a customer of Verizon which I have been practically from the inception of the company.

    N.B. During a Verizon “Customize TV” commercial for its FiOS TV, a wife pleads with her husband to change the channel from one showing Ukrainian dancers to something else. She says, “I’ll watch anything except this.”

  4. I am an Ukarainian American and highly disappointed with this video and Verizon. I am also a retired 30 year employee of Bell Telephone/Verizon. This commercial is highly offensive to me and all of my Ukrainian American friends and relatives. I am also a member of the Ukranian Human Rights Commitee of Philadelphia. I believe that it is not a good marketing tool to insult any ethic background. I was shocked when I saw this. Who ever approved this video should take into consideration that people in America and are Verizon customers, employees or retirees come from different ethnic backgrounds.

  5. I find this ad offensive and culturally insensitive and at a time when Ukrainians
    are struggling to fight off the Russian aggressor this is in extremely bad taste.

  6. I find this commercial rather offensive; why would anyone stupidly state that they’d rather watch ANYTHING other than Ukrainian dancing? Is there supposed to be an underlying message?

  7. Why is Verizon slamming Ukrainian culture? I won’t be subscribing to Varizon …ever.

  8. Why would an ad purposely insult/demean a whole segment of a population? Is this a subtle way of ethnic bias?

    BTW – I posted a comment earlier, it was acknowledged, and suddenly it’s not here anymore!

  9. “Western culture as a whole has become an increasingly reactionary mob of self-centered narcissists who all have their own personal lines drawn in the sand. A comedian is fine unless he crosses their particular line, which, of course, in the mind of a self-centered narcissist, is the only line that matters.” – Jim Norton

  10. Shame on Verizon Does the co need to resort to petty& immature bashing of Ukrainian culture to advertise its services? When our contract is up we will drop verizon unless the ad is take off FB. THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY FINDS THIS AD VERY OFFENSIVE!!

  11. As a ballet dancer, and a Ukrainian folk dancer, and a Ukrainian American , I can not believe the lack of sensitivity and good taste you have exhibited by your rude commercial “I’ll watch anything but this”. If you ever saw Ukrainian dances , well performed, you would have never made fun of them. True, your commercial shows some local amateurs ( Why?!)stumbling to dull music. Not exciting! True, we are now super-sensitive about how Ukrainians are portrayed in the media. But, in view of the events of the past year(where have you been??), namely Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent war, deaths of over six thousand, over 15 thousand wounded, maimed for life, over one and a half million homeless , destabilized and totally impoverished , we are, understandably, sensitive about all portrayal of our culture. As would you be! You may loose numerous customers because of this. And deservedly so.

  12. Very offensive commercial. I’m Ukrainian but love the fact I’m american too now. That idea is quite rude and unproffesional.

  13. It looks like Verizon is supporting Putin in his war against Ukraine.
    Shame on Verizon!

  14. Shame on you, while Ukrainians struggle to preserve their freedoms and identity, you choose to insult them. Why didn’t you chose any other show (and their are plenty) with no morals or decency to compare to a bug.

  15. Please remove this offense commercial to all Ukrainians!

    Thank you,

    Dianne

  16. Not very happy with your commercial on “I’ll watch anything except this Ukrainian dancing” very discouraging and by the way at this time my family, friends and I own Verizon Phones.

  17. Dear Verizon management,
    I’m really offended by your commercial showing great disrespect to Ukrainian all over the world. It almost appears that this part of a Russian propaganda campaign that sows lies about their war against the people of Ukraine. As such, I will never become a customer of Verizon’s.
    Respectfully yours,
    Victor Koszarny

  18. As a Polish American I express my solidarity with Ukrainians in this issue. It would be interesting to know who authorized this commercial and I would consider connections to Russia. It would definitely help if people started canceling subscriptions. It would be great if there was an apology and meeting of Verizon with Ukrainian American leaders. Good Luck. I personally will make a complaint.

  19. As a Ukrainian, I am greatly insulted with your Verizon commercial “I’ll watch anything except this Ukrainian dancing”

    To show such a vulgar message is beyond ignorance and I object to your classless presentation
    .
    Helen Spendick

  20. BOYCOTT VERIZON !!!
    If THIS is what they call ‘Promoting their company’ then they are definitely NOT Professional!
    They promote cultural disrespect and anti-Ukrainianism!
    I’d REALLY like to know WHO in Verizon came up with THIS AD and WHO ALLOWED this to happen…they should ALL be FIRED! ~ PLEASE SHARE.

  21. This commercial promoting racism in this day and age is obscene and unacceptable.

  22. I wanted to share my disappointment in your advertisement, Customize TV, where the Ukrainian culture is denigrated. I take offense to the comment “I’ll watch anything but this” as a scene of dancers is seen in the background.
    Kindly do not produce nor air these types of advertisements as they are very offensive to the various ethnic groups being represented.
    Once again, I would hate to take my Verizon business elsewhere and after all, it is all about the money, isn’t it.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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