Alec Baldwin
/ File photo
ROCHESTER -- Wegmans is doing an about face when it comes to the commercials featuring Alec Baldwin that were recently pulled from the airwaves.
In a statement just released to CNYCentral, Wegmans Director of Media Relations Joe Natale says the ads will run again. "We regret ending the Alec Baldwin holiday commercials one week earlier than planned in response to a couple of dozen complaints. We have decided to run the commercials again, effective immediately."
The grocery store chain pulled the commercials early after backlash from Baldwin's spat with American Airlines on December 6
The actor was kicked off of a flight out of Los Angeles International Airport after he refused to turn off an electronic device he was using to play "Words with Friends." Baldwin publicly called out the airline on Twitter, and later cancelled his social media account.
Wegmans initially pulled the commercials featuring Baldwin after a few dozen complains, saying at the time "We do take customer feedback to heart. Because we were receiving several complaints from customers, we did decide to pull them."
A day later, Wegmans is going back on that, deciding to run the ads again after more complains from customers.
"Clearly, many more people support Alec, as evidenced by the hundreds and hundreds of tweets, emails, and phone calls we have received," Natale said Wednesday. "We enjoyed working with Alec Baldwin and his mom, Carol, and would do it again. We appreciate all the kind things they have said about Wegmans and respect the good work they do for communities."
Baldwin was hired for the ads after he mentioned that his mother Carol, who lives in the Syracuse area, is a loyal Wegmans customer. They were filmed in Central New York back in 2010.
Do you agree with Wegmans' decision to start airing the ads again? Or did you agree with them initially when they decided to pull them? Why do you think this story has caused so much controversy? Leave your thoughts below.
