Iran to Promote Tourist Potential on CNN--Daily Star

[Gloria]

From the new World Media Watch up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


1//The Daily Star, Lebanon Tuesday, April 12, 2005

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id=14194



IRAN TO PROMOTE TOURIST POTENTIAL ON CNN

Tehran hopes to reach worldwide audiences in an attempt to develop the industry

By Agence France Presse (AFP)

TEHRAN: Iran, which long castigated the United States as the "Great Satan," is to promote its tourist potential on America's CNN television station and Britain's BBC, the country's vice president for tourism Hossein Marachi has revealed to AFP.



Tense relations between Tehran and Washington will not stop Iran from exploiting its attractions on the U.S. cable network, said Marachi, who insists U.S. sanctions preventing American companies from trading with Iran "will not apply in this instance."



Both BBC and CNN campaigns should start within two months under a one-year contract, the value of which Marachi did not disclose. Kevin Young, acting head of public relations for BBC World, said: "There have been long discussions about this and we're optimistic the campaign will be launched but it's not been finalised yet." He added that no actual starting date had been decided and the ads would only be shown on the state-funded broadcaster's semi-commercial BBC World.



"We would be looking at what we call a spot campaign, which is a straightforward commercial campaign for 30- or 60-second adverts that would appear for a period of six months." Spokesman Nigel Pritchard for CNN international in Atlanta said only: "We can't comment on commercial deals unless they are in place. There is no deal in place." Marachi said Iran would provide footage for the slots. They will show Iranian tourist sites. "You'll not see Friday prayers," he added with a smile.



Tehran's aim is not to persuade Americans to visit the country, but to have an impact on the two networks' worldwide audiences so Iran can develop an industry, largely neglected given its potential.

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[Gyre]

1. too little, too late, with a dash of wishful thinking

considering they know they've got a 50/50 chance they're gonna get smacked around in June.

Gyre

[Gloria]

2. My question is: if Iran is part of the "Axis of Evil" then why is our

government (Bushco) allowing them to advertise on CNN (unless they just want to let CNN have the $$$ in exchange for more propaganda.....)

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[thecrow]

4. I think this is hilarious

and if CNN gobbles it up, what will that say about CNN?
Hilarious on both accounts.