Olivia Munn Boycotts Groupon Over Circus Promotions

The Newsroom Star Joins PETA in Asking CEO to Give Animals the 'Deal of the Day' by Permanently Halting Circus Partnerships

For Immediate Release:
October 1, 2012

Contact:
Wendy Wegner 202-483-7382

Chicago -- After learning from PETA that Chicago-based Groupon continues to offer deals on circus tickets despite evidence from PETA that circuses whip, shock, and beat animals into performing, longtime elephant advocate Olivia Munn has sent a letter on PETA's behalf to the company urging it to "do the right thing" and end these promotions. In the letter, The Newsroom star also cautions that as long as Groupon continues to partner with circuses that use animals, she won't purchase deals from Groupon—and she'll urge her fans, via Twitter, to do the same.

"I was disappointed to learn from PETA that Groupon is promoting deals with circuses that abuse animals and violate the federal Animal Welfare Act," writes Munn. "I was even more disappointed to find out that Groupon was made aware of the egregious crimes of specific circuses yet has chosen to continue promoting them anyway. … I hope you can see that whether you're an animal lover or not, there isn't a good argument for supporting those who mistreat animals."

Olivia Munn's letter to Groupon CEO Andrew Mason follows and is available here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org. 

September 26, 2012

Andrew Mason, CEO
Groupon
600 W. Chicago Ave., Ste. 620
Chicago, IL 60654

Dear Mr. Mason,
  
I hope you can help me with an important issue that requires immediate attention. I was disappointed to learn from PETA that Groupon is promoting deals with circuses that abuse animals and violate the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). I was even more disappointed to find out that Groupon was made aware of the egregious crimes of specific circuses yet has chosen to continue promoting them anyway.

I know that not everyone is an "animal person," and I'm not sure whether you are. But I hope you can recognize that there's no good argument for supporting those who mistreat animals.

Elephants, tigers, and other animals who are owned or rented and used by these circuses are robbed of everything that is natural and important to them. Some have never even felt fresh grass beneath their feet. Baby elephants are torn away from their mothers, tied down, electro-shocked, and beaten into submission in order to force them to perform ridiculous tricks, just to give audiences a cheap thrill. Most of the circuses that Groupon has promoted have been cited for violations of the AWA numerous times, including in the last two years—so promoting them violates Groupon's own policy. Earlier this year, an elephant handler traveling with one of the circuses that Groupon often promotes was arrested on multiple counts of cruelty to animals.
 
I'm hoping to appeal to you as the CEO of a company that strives to educate people on the power of the masses to change the quality of life for the better. You have the power to make a change for the better by halting the promotion of circuses that abuse animals. Such a change would be a powerful example of corporate responsibility, innovation, growth, and compassion. 

Please do the right thing and give animals the "deal of the day" by permanently severing your ties with circuses that use animals. Until you take this action, I will refuse to purchase deals from Groupon and urge all my fans, friends, and family members to do the same.

Sincerely,

Olivia Munn