5054: Changing Lanes And Minds.

Collecting Garbage with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The San Diego Minutemen received a new section of road for cleaning up as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program. Members of the state Latino Legislative caucus worked with highway authorities to make the move, claiming the original designated road section posed safety concerns. The original spot, incidentally, was also near a Border Patrol checkpoint. Of course, the Minutemen are complaining that they shouldn’t have to move. “Caltrans could be violating their own rules of discrimination by revoking our permit,” said a Minuteman. “We’re not going to relinquish it voluntarily.” Guess they don’t like being deported.

• Mickey D’s has flipped its stance about banner ads appearing alongside scantily-clad women on a BET site. “When we learned about our placement there, we worked through our agency to express our concern about the placement of our advertisement on that page of the Web site,” said a McDonald’s spokeswoman. “It was not an appropriate representation for our brand.” Last week, the same spokeswoman originally defended the media placement and said, “We have a responsibility to market to young adults in areas and avenues that make the most sense.” Guess it’s a spokeswoman’s prerogative to change her mind—and media plan.

• British airliner Ryanair sparked controversy with a print ad featuring a scantily-clad schoolgirl hyping back-to-school fares. An advertising watchdog agency condemned the ad and demanded Ryanair never run it again, but the advertiser has indicated it won’t honor the ruling. Guess BET might have a replacement for Mickey D’s.