Victoria's Secret Contest

[wildthingjew]

Here is a copy of the letter I sent.  I don't know Casey but this whole thing is just wrong.

Dear contest judges,

    I am writing to express my extreme displeasure at your handling of the "Love Your Body by Victoria contest".

    I believe your actions in choosing "Judges Choice" winners and the pathetic attempt to conciliate by offering Casey Pings an insulting $500 gift card are unconscionable.
    I do not know Casey Pings.  I have no affiliation with her whatsoever so I believe I speak honestly and without biased. 
    Casey Pings is not a Victoria Secret pin up girl.  She doesn't have long thick hair, big breasts, or the right body.  You wouldn't have her as a model in your future campaigns and THAT is why you changed the rules.  This contest wasn't looking for someone who truly and honestly loves their body.  This contest was looking for a vapid beauty queen that you could parade around in public.   
    Casey was not like the other contestants in that she faces physical and emotional challenges every day.  She had the courage to show herself to the world by joining this contest, risking ridicule, accusation, and rejection.  She put herself out to the public, hoping they'd see the truth and beauty of her on the inside as she sees herself; and they did!  The people voted for her.  They supported her!  But you crushed an opportunity for people to embrace themselves no matter what size, shape, or condition their body might be in.  You proved to her, and to those who voted for her, that it's more important to be beautiful on the outside, than the inside.  Instead of generating more business for your company by embracing all body types you have only reinforced your own stereotypical and pigeon-holed idea of beauty.
    I will be certain to post this letter and any letter of response from you, provided it is not a canned "we're sorry, we hope to earn you business back" nonsense computer generated response, on my internet connections.
    Let me reiterate that this is not about getting Casey Pings a bigger prize.  After what you have put this poor woman through you'd be lucky if she returned your calls.  This is about women.  Women loving themselves, their bodies, and all their flaws.  Women believing they don't have to be a Victoria Secret Super Model to be beautiful.  In this matter I believe you have failed all women.   I also believe I'll be taking my business and my money elsewhere since I don't quite meet up to your ideas of beauty, either.  And you know what, neither do my friends.


Written most sincerely,


Dena SXXXXXXX
MN

I HAVE TO TELL ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE POSTED TO THIS SUBJECT EITHER THROUGH THIS WEBSITE OR ANY OTHERS "THAT ALL OF YOU MAKE ME SO PROUD TO BE A RENNIE! CAUSE THERE ARE NO TRUER HEARTS OUT THERE!

[Anna Iram]

I think it is very possible that you are spot on Marietta. I hate to think that's what lurks beneath this, and it's possible there are other reasons not clear to us, but I think VS took an easy out. I'll be composing and sending my own thoughts to VS.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

We ran into Casey yesterday at Stronghold Renaissance Faire, and she is more beautiful than words can describe.  And very sweet, bubbly, and smiled the whole time we talked about knitting.  It was such a raw deal done to her.

Unfortunately, on the 3 forums that I belong to, everyone who has written to VS has received the same automated response.  I don't know if anything will be done unless Casey gives her permission to go to the media, and that is her choice whether or not to do so.

[raevyncait]

I haven't even gotten a response at all from VS, nor have I gotten one from Bath & Body Works, who is also owned by the parent company Limited Brands.  I am also boycotting B&BW, and made sure that they know it, in the hopes that they will forward the information to Limited Brands, who, of course, has no electronic contact information, however I did find these addresses on their website, for anyone that wants to notify the parent company.

Limited Brands
Three Limited Parkway
Columbus, OH 43230
614-415-7000

Limited Brands - NY Offices
1114 Avenue of the Americas
24th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212-884-3000

Lady Renee, I suspect you are right that there may not be anything really done without media information, but Casey responded to my comment on her LJ that someone had contacted the media without asking her or her family, and she's not happy about that, and is hoping that the media will respect her wishes not to be in the spotlight anymore.

[wildthingjew]

this was just posted to the bristol board by casey's friend, the one that got us all started on this contest in the first place, lets hope that they stand by their word

THIS JUST IN!

We are disappointed that a few cheaters negatively impacted something that was supposed to be fun and uplifting. While legally we were not allowed to influence the independent judges or add Casey as another winner, we are honoring her with a trip to New York City including airfare, hotel, spa visit and dinner for two plus a $500 Victoria's Secret gift card.

We are sorry for the confusion and disappointment that this unfortunate circumstance has caused. We hope that going the extra step for Casey inspires her like she has inspired all of us.

Kendalll, thank you for contacting Victoria's Secret.


Sincerely,

Iris I.
VictoriasSecret.com Customer Service

[Anna Iram]

Awesome.  I just *knew* a place that held such cute frillies couldn't be all bad.

[Marietta Graziella]

Here is the complete letter I just received from Victoria Secret...
Dear Dena,

Thank you for your e-mail expressing your concern for Casey. Like all of you, our team of contest organizers has also been inspired her story.

Unfortunately, the contest did not turn out like any of us planned.  Due to illegal voting by a few cheaters, the contest had to be ended.  As a result, an independent judging panel reviewed the 50 "most loved" entries in no particular order.  While Casey was not selected, it was evident throughout the contest that she is an inspiration to all of us.

The  independent judges selected two individuals, Jillian and Charis, who have their own inspiring stories and outlooks on life:

Jillian's story – "I have always been the biggest critic of myself, both inside and out. When I suffered 3rd degree burns in a kitchen fire 2 years ago, ended up in ICU for 7 days and had to have skin graft surgery, it changed so much about me. I realized the true definition of gratitude. The scars on my arms and hands have now just become a tattoo that I proudly wear to represent how brave I never realized I am."

Charis's story – "I love my body because it's MY body, no one else has it & there's no other body like it. I embrace my shape, my curves, & I carry myself as so. Because I'm confident in the way that I walk & stand & carry myself, it makes my body look beautiful. God gave me this body therefore I'm going to show off every inch of it in the most respectful and beautiful way. I LOVE MY BODY because it's ALL MINE!"

 
We are disappointed that a few cheaters negatively impacted something that was supposed to be fun and uplifting.  While legally we were not allowed to influence the independent judges or add Casey as another winner, we are honoring her with a trip to New York City including airfare, hotel, spa visit and dinner for two plus a $500 Victoria's Secret gift card. 

Dena, We are sorry for the confusion and disappointment that this unfortunate circumstance has caused.   We hope that going the extra step for Casey inspires her like she has inspired all of us.

Sincerely,

Jessica T.

[lady M]

WOOHOO!!!

[Invy]

I went to vote before seeing the end of this thread

She is a incredible lady and deserves that and so much more..

[mehan]

Excellent! It was the right thing to do... though they may have come to it late in the game, it was still the right thing in the end.  And a Huzzah to all  the ren folk and their support - what an amazing community. 

[Noble Dreg]

Wow, how cool of them...I may just go there today and pick something up...for the wife...

[Marietta Graziella]

Wow, how cool of them...I may just go there today and pick something up...for the wife...

Sure... whatever, Dreg.  I saw you enjoying that pickle. 

[wildthingjew]

cool of them? they make things right because alot of people write letters, what about the right thing in the first place?

here is the letter that i just now got from them.


Victoria's Secret [#459610]
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 8:33:46 AMFrom: Victoria's Secret Customer Care <CustomerCare@VictoriasSecret.com>Add to Contacts
To: wildthingjew@yahoo.com 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Jamie,


Thank you for your e-mail expressing your concern for Casey. Like all of you, our team of contest organizers have also been inspired by her story.

Unfortunately, the contest did not turn out like any of us planned. Due to illegal voting by a few cheaters, the contest had to be ended. As a result, an independent judging panel reviewed the 50 "most loved" entries in no particular order. While Casey was not selected, it was evident throughout the contest that she is an inspiration to all of us.

The independent judges selected two individuals, Jillian and Charis, who have their own inspiring stories and outlooks on life: ·

Jillian's story – "I have always been the biggest critic of myself, both inside and out. When I suffered 3rd degree burns in a kitchen fire 2 years ago, ended up in ICU for 7 days and had to have skin graft surgery, it changed so much about me. I realized the true definition of gratitude. The scars on my arms and hands have now just become a tattoo that I proudly wear to represent how brave I never realized I am."

Charis's story – "I love my body because it's MY body, no one else has it & there's no other body like it. I embrace my shape, my curves, & I carry myself as so. Because I'm confident in the way that I walk & stand & carry myself, it makes my body look beautiful. God gave me this body therefore I'm going to show off every inch of it in the most respectful and beautiful way. I LOVE MY BODY because it's ALL MINE!"
We are disappointed that a few cheaters negatively impacted something that was supposed to be fun and uplifting. While legally we were not allowed to influence the independent judges or add Casey as another winner, we are honoring her with a trip to New York City including airfare, hotel, spa visit and dinner for two plus a $500 Victoria's Secret gift card.

We are sorry for the confusion and disappointment that this unfortunate circumstance has caused. We hope that going the extra step for Casey inspires her like she has inspired all of us.

Jamie, thank you for contacting Victoria's Secret.




Sincerely,


Jessica M.
VictoriasSecret.com Customer Service

Visit www.VictoriasSecret.com
Phone 1.800.475.1935 or (outside the U.S. and Canada) 1.937.438.4197
Fax 1.937.438.4290

[Anna Iram]

Well, we really don't know what their reasons were, corporations usually have a ton of lawyers looking at all the legal ramifications of any decision and yes people often have to be reminded of what really matters in order to do the right thing. I'm just glad for Casey that she'll get such a wonderful trip and that she *was* able to touch so many lives in such a positive way. This is a win. It's time to be glad.

[wildthingjew]

WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT I READ THE RULES WHEN THE ORIGINAL CONTEST GOT UNDERWAY WAS THAT THE #1 WOULD WIN AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE AN INDEPENDENT JUDGE CHOOSE ANOTHER PERSON SO THAT A TOTAL OF 2 PRIZES WOULD BE GIVEN OUT.