Ashley Madison, an online dating site that promotes adultery, has once again stirred up controversy by offering to fund a public venue in exchange for naming rights.
Noel Biderman, the company's CEO, told CP24 Wednesday morning that his company is "very open" to the idea of funding Toronto zoos that are in danger of closing. That includes Far Enough Farm on Centre Island and High Park Zoo.
The only thing he wants in exchange is the right to change the name of the family-oriented venues.
Biderman tweeted about the idea Tuesday night.
"You'll love the cougars at our zoo," he wrote, adding a link to the company website and a link to a recent newspaper article about his idea.
This isn't the first time Biderman has made headlines with his advertising attempts.
In 2009, the company offered to purchase $200,000 worth of advertising on TTC streetcars. When TTC officials rejected the idea of having the company slogan "Life is short. Have an affair," plastered on its vehicles, Biderman offered to subsidize fare prices by 25 cents to push the deal through.
Despite being starved for cash, the TTC rejected the offer.
Since then, Biderman has offered millions in exchange for naming rights over Sky Harbor Airport in Arizona and a jersey sponsorship deal for an Italian basketball club. Both offers were rejected.
Despite his failed attempts at securing an official advertising deal, the headlines that were generated with his controlversial offers has brought a ton of attention to his website. But Biderman says Torontonians need to ask themselves why.
"I think people want to put a halo on us time and time again," Biderman told CP24. "We spend tens of millions of dollars marketing Ashley Madison around the world. What we are always looking for is a plan b, a sponsorship opportunity and if nobody wants to follow through with that opportunity, it's fair game for us to ask why.
"This is a province now where there will be potentially legalized brothels," he continued. "But a company that's been around for a decade people can't get their head around? That doesn't make sense to me."
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