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Target Canada Ad Featuring Mr. Rogers Song Slammed (VIDEO)

Target's First Canadian Ad Slammed Over Mr. Rogers Song

Not everyone is excited to welcome Target to the neighbourhood.

A Canadian ad from the major retailer has ruffled some feathers over its use of the 'Mr. Rogers' theme song 'Won’t You Be My Neighbor.'

"Like millions of others, I grew up with 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,' and as I got older I came to understand more of what Fred Rogers stood for in terms of his respect for his audience, and his desire to keep commerce as far away from his message as possible," a published email to the "guardians of the Fred Rogers legacy" reads. "I might have even shopped at Target, or at least looked inside its doors. Seeing those ads... has guaranteed that will never happen."

The commercial, which first aired during the Academy Awards, features Canadian band Dragonette's electro-pop version of the song. Target’s iconic mascot Bullseye rides in a motorcycle sidecar that drives through Montreal streets, past children in a snowball fight, people skating at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, and more Canadian scenes.

Target spokeswoman Lisa Gibson said earlier the ad was meant to highlight Canada’s communities.

Canadians also had a special connection to Mr. Rogers, who died in 2003; he came to Canada in 1963, and his show 'Misterogers' aired on CBC for three seasons.

Target did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the ad’s backlash.

William Isler, president of Fred Rogers Co., explained the decision to license the song to Target for its first ever commercial use.

Bob O’Gara, an advertising and PR professor at Point Park University, has pointed out that the song’s use may benefit the Fred Rogers Company, which produces children's "projects."

“The advocacy programs that they have, the kinds of things that they’re working with to keep that whole spirit alive, that’s money,” he said.

Target Opens In Canada

Target Opens In Canada

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