Turner Broadcasting:"Stunt Gone Wrong"

[Doug Drown]

"Bad judgment call", indeed.   I think that may turn out to be the
understatement of the year.  Hard to say whether anyone's head will roll,
but it's a safe bet that a few people will at least be put on leave for a
while.  What a mind-bogglingly dumb idea.

As for Ted Turner himself, he was co-CEO of Time Warner for a short time,
then bowed out.  I don't know whether he still has a major stake in the
company.

-Doug


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Watson" <markwats@comcast.net>
To: "Boston Radio" <boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 5:18 PM
Subject: Turner Broadcasting:"Stunt Gone Wrong"


>    At least 10 suspicious "devices" found throughout the day in Boston,
> Cambridge & Somerville, leading to closings of parts of I-93, subway
lines,
> roads & bridges, part of the Charles River and a massive response by
local,
> state and federal law enforcement agencies. Not a terrorist act, but a
> marketing stunt for Turner Broadcasting's Cartoon Network to promote a new
> program. Turner Broadcasting has issued an apology for the stunt gone
wrong.
> >From a broadcasting standpoint: Channel 5 pre-empted network & Oprah and
> Channel 7 blew off Family Feud (and all spots) since around 3, Channel 4
> jumped in just before Mayor Menino's press conference at 4:15. WBZ radio
had
> extensive coverage in between the rest of their news clock elements.
>
>     Is this a bad judgement call on the part of someone in the marketing
> department at Turner/Cartoon Network? Can the FCC issue any penalties to
> Turner in the wake of a broadcast organization (albeit one received via
> cable or dish, not an over the air net) causing such a commotion? Will
heads
> be rolling at Turner's world headquarters? Definitely not a good day in
> Atlanta (if that's where they're still based).
>
>    Does Ted Turner still own any part of Turner Broadcasting? I thought he
> sold part, if not all to Time Warner.
>
> Mark Watson
>
>
>