"Interference Marketing" incited a Panic and they caused a Major US CITY

[KoKo]

time and money and stress of it's citizens. Those two bozo's that were arrested and shown goofing around making a mockery of their arrest need to have some awareness that their actions caused stress and tax dollar loses to fellow citizens.

The Boston Police Department is not some "out in the sticks" three man Department whose never had any training in Terrorist Tactics or Bomb Recognition. I'll praise the Boston Police Department for it's actions and I'd be worried if I lived in those other Cities where those "Lite Brites" were supposedly sitting around for weeks.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. this is parody

right?
The Seattle police examined one of the "devices" and laughed, correctly identifying it as some sort of marketing gimmick.

[itsmesgd]

5. Ding ding ding

The Boston PD could have posted an alert about these devices and someone would have called to let them in on the gag. Boston overreacted, assisted by the foaming frothing media who prays that something bad should happen.

Plus, after the BPD investigated one of these they should have seen that they were a few D cell batteries and a light board. There was no explosive or other mechanism in place.

[sniffa]

2. no, peopLe are just dopes

i thought cops used to have brains.

[Horse with no Name]

4. They don't need brains anymore

They have TASERS.:evilgrin:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. The people in the "other cities" were right.

Sour grapes, apparently.

[KoKo]

6. Sour grapes? huh?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. Yup.

If you're the type of person that gets scared of cartoon penguins, I guess that sort of thing must happen a lot.

[KoKo]

7. Disgusting Comments from the two Assholes who Pulled this Stunt...

Thursday, February 1, 2007
Artists perform at post-arraignment press conference

By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff

Moments after facing a judge on felony charges, the two defendants in the cartoon character ploy that panicked the region were all smiles and jokes, staging a mocking press conference this afternoon outside the Charlestown courthouse in which they deflected questions about their culpability with non sequiter quips about their hair.

"Hair today, gone tomorrow," said Sean Stevens, 28, when asked about the charges.

Stevens and Peter Berdovsky, 27, pleaded not guilty to charges of placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct. Authorities say the two men were responsible for placing 38 electronic signs depicting characters from the "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" program on Cartoon Network as part of a guerilla marketing campaign for the show.

Surrounded by reporters, Berdovsky stroked his lengthy dreadlocks and delivered a discourse on haircut styles in the 1970s, Afros, and the Beatles' hair styles.

"We are only taking questions on hair," he said.

The men's lawyer, Michael L. Rich, stood awkwardly by their side.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/02/artists_perform.html

[RexDart]

8. Good for them.

The media wants a dog and pony show. Now that everybody knows that there was no threat, there's no need to play this out on TV. The lawyer most likely told them not to say anything about the charges, and they didn't.

[sniffa]

9. that's disgusting

you're taking this aLmost as badLy as pitt did. it's aLmost Like you Live here or something.

[KoKo]

12. I have relatives there who were very upset yesterday. They don't

watch the "Cartoon Network" and so don't find the little "Lite Brite" thingy as funny as those here who seem to find it familiar. And, if it happened where I live...I'd still be pissed at "Interference Marketing" and Turner for pulling something like this. :shrug:

[Virginia Dare]

36. I hope they direct their rage at the Bush Administration as well...

for creating a society based on fear, mistrust and irrational paranoia.

[Labors of Hercules]

64. I hate this media marketing shit pushed in my face every 5 seconds...

but I completely agree with you: There are still WAY too many people who haven't been able to let go of the neurosis these Republican shits have created.

[Little Wing]

82. WTF is a "Hoax device"

The media and city are really grasping at straws to cover their own stupid asses

[HoneyBee]

10. BOOO!!!

[KoKo]

11. Welcome to DU, Honeybee, I see you just joined us.

:hi:

[KoKo]

14. Kick because I'm MAD AS HELL at these Jerks!

:kick:

[Beaverhausen]

15. You are mad at the wrong people

The police overreacted. They are the ones who caused the 'scare.'

[KoKo]

17. Would you feel that way if those "Fuck You" thingeys had REALLY been BOMBS?

:shrug: That's what I wonder. I think Boston Police did a good thing here. But..then I don't watch "Cartoon Network" so wasn't aware of the GREAT SNARK about "Aqua Swim."

Have you thought about the millions in Boston who didn't know WHAT THE HELL was going on BUT THOUGHT THIS WAS 9/11 ALL OVER AGAIN?

Not EVERYONE is so clued into the "Cartoon Network" that they might not have been concerned. Has any DU'er Pumping up how STUPID BOSTONIANS ARE even THOUGHT ABOUT THIS? :shrug:

[Beaverhausen]

20. If they were bombs I would be mad at the police for not finding them

Jesus christ, they were up for over 2 weeks. You have no problem with the police going crazy over them- and no one noticed them until yesterday?

Blame the panic on the police.

[KoKo]

24. If they were bombs....??? And WHO do you Wait To Tell You about this? n/t

[Beaverhausen]

26. Sorry but I'm not getting your point

and they weren't bombs so get the hell over it already.

[kiahzero]

21. Whose fault is it that they had a wildly incorrect idea of what was going on?

Who's fault is it that people in Boston believed that there was a serious threat?

The police, and the media. Perhaps their own paranoia.

[KoKo]

25. It's the fault of Boston Police who don't watch "Cartoon Channel!"

Did you ever think they might not be able to AFFORD CABELE? AND, that their KIDS aren't WATCHING WHAT YOU ARE?

[kiahzero]

29. That has absolutely nothing to do with it.

As soon as they inspected the device, they knew (or should have known) that there were no explosives. Competent police departments did. Boston, on the other hand, did not. That says more about the ability of the Boston PD to do their jobs than it does about their viewing habits.

By the way, extra caps don't lend any additional weight to your piss-poor arguments.

[KoKo]

35. Really? And who do you want to "Protect YOU" if there's another "9/11?" Huh.?

:shrug:

[kiahzero]

39. Someone competent.

So that rules out the Boston PD, from the looks of it. :shrug:

[KoKo]

46. Maybe instead of "Boston PD" you'd Prefer Bush "Dept. of Homeland Security?"

They've "cleaned up their act since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans" and maybe they would be better and "more on your side" than the Boston PD in "terror attacks."

After all...Boston is highly unlikely to be hit like New Orleans...:rofl: BWAHAAAAAAAAAAA :rofl:

[kiahzero]

49. One incompetent agency does not excuse another.

You think it does?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

50. Why?

Seems to me they're both incompetent except when it comes to fear-mongering.

[KoKo]

65. Well then...Who would you choose to Protect You? n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

68. Well, my local sheriff's not totally incompetent...

"To us, they're so obviously not suspicious," said King County sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart. "They're not suspicious devices or packages. We don't consider them dangerous."

[Virginia Dare]

41. Don't expect anybody to protect you KoKoo...

I was in Washington D.C. on 9/11, and nobody knew what the hell was going on. There were rumors about bombs and planes making a beeline for the city. But let me tell you, it was every man for himself, there was NOBODY around to help. Strangely enough, there was little to no panic either. But the myth that somebody will be there to "protect" you is just a fantasy. Had those been real bombs, multiple people would have been dead before anyone could have done anything about it.

[progressivebydesign]

147. they were SIGNS.. they did not look like bombs...

they looked like PC boards or lite brites. Perhaps growing up around Hollywood made me immune to hysteria over PR stunts... if Lucy and Ethel had done their martian stunt today in Boston, they'd have been shot by authorities.

[uppityperson]

153. here is a picture of one from Seattle paper.

But then no one reacted "OMG BOMB!!!1" here so maybe ours weren't as scary?

[malaise]

19. Correct n/t

[Kingshakabobo]

18. Take a pill.

[conscious evolution]

32. They freaked over THAT?!?!

You have got to be kidding me.
Some cop thought that was a bomb?

Boston cops need a class on bomb recognition.

[HoneyBee]

75. Common sense would work, too.

:shrug:

[kiahzero]

16. Blame the Boston PD for being incompetent hacks.

It's not anyone else's fault that they fail miserably at
* Identifying explosives
* Controlling a story
* Preventing needless public panic

The attempt to prosecute these two for "planting a hoax device," in clear violation of the statute's requirement for there to be an intent to cause "anxiety, unrest, fear or personal discomfort" in order for there to be a crime.

In other words, cry more.

[KoKo]

22. Excuse ME? How were they "Incompetent Hacks?" What if the terror threat was REAL?

What If the "Fuck You Lite Brites" were cleverly disguised and REALLY WERE IED's? What IF?

Have you even gotten your head out of Cartoon Channel's ASS to THINK ABOUT THAT? HUH? :shrug:

[kiahzero]

23. What if everyone had a pony?

What if it rained gumdrops?

What if you stopped to make a rational argument?

The world will never know.

[KoKo]

27. What IF you are WRONG? And too clued into Cartoon Channel

and your BRAIN left your head and is lying on the side of the road so long ago you don't even get it?

:shrug: WHAT IF?

[sendero]

74. It NEVER WAS..

... a fucking terror threat and you'd have to be brain dead to think it was.

What if every goddam fast food bag, empty 40oz bottle, cardboard box you see is a "terror threat".

It only took one terror event to turn half the country into a bunch of simpering idiots.

[progressivebydesign]

148. Are you serious? You're coming unglued over this.

Police blow up briefcases and bags of gym clothes all the time. Who will protect us from gym bags I ask you? WHO???

I've been on DU for 6 years now, and I've never seen anyone freak out so thoroughly on DU before... it's interesting as hell. :popcorn:

All over a police departments inability to discern a lite bright robot figure on a SIGN, from an actual bomb.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

28. BOOGA! BOOGA! BOOGA!

[KoKo]

30. Yeah....really KEWL... Loved that Flippancy...get it? n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

31. Oh yeah?

Well what if that penguin had a bomb? WHAT IF?!!!1!

[kiahzero]

38. WHAT IF?!!!?!?!?!?!!!!!111!!!!!one

WhAt If ThE pEnGuIn PoOpEd OuT tHe BoMb? It'D bE a DiRtY bOmB!!!!!11!!!1!!one!!!11!

(Wow, that was obnoxious to type.)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

40. WelL, WHat IF IT WasN'T An OBNoxiouS Way to TYPE!!211!

WhaT theN?1/!?

ZOMG!!1!81!

[KoKo]

53. it says f*u)c++k@ "Dolts.com.

btw...this is an Excellent Site!

[kiahzero]

33. TERRA TERRA TERRA! (n/t)

[HoneyBee]

34. You said "I'd be worried if I lived in those other Cities where those "Lite Brites" were supposedly

sitting around for weeks"...

um... they WERE sitting around for weeks in Boston. Are you still impressed with their professionalism?

[KoKo]

42. AND...who is TELLING YOU that they were "sitting around?" Have a Link or Links?

I'm still waiting for these other communities who had these things sitting around and it caused NO PROBLEM. I looking for Newspaper Articles and links to TEE VEE MEDIA about the WEEKS that these sat around in Major US CITIES!

Where are the links about how KEWL folks in "OTHER CITIES" were to not REACT LIKE THAT DREADFUL/HYSTERICAL BOSTON POLICE? Huh? :shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

45. LOL. From Seattle...

"To us, they're so obviously not suspicious," said King County sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart. "They're not suspicious devices or packages. We don't consider them dangerous."

[kiahzero]

47. For one thing, the Seattle PD found them at least a few days ago

A representative from the Seattle PD was interviewed by Rita Cosby this afternoon around 3:30, and explained that they had found these things before, and actually had one hanging in the office for a few days before someone noticed that they were designed to have a middle finger showing, at which point it was moved into storage.

[Beaverhausen]

48. How about Seattle?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003550583_ploy01.html

In the Seattle area, the first device was found Tuesday by a Woodinville Public Works Department crew working on a railroad trestle over Highway 202, said Woodinville Police Chief John McSwain.

"Public Works found it and took it down and didn't even bother to call us" because the device didn't appear to be threatening, he said.

When news of events in Boston began to be reported Wednesday, he said, the Seattle Police Department called and passed on the information about the locations of other devices.


SNIP


Police in Philadelphia said they believed their city had 56 devices.

The New York Police Department removed 41 of the devices -- 38 in Manhattan and three in Brooklyn, according to spokesman Paul Browne. The NYPD had not received any complaints. But when it became aware of the situation, it contacted Interference Inc., which provided the locations so the devices could be removed.

[HoneyBee]

57. Is "The Google" broke for you? I found some links. Here you go:

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/sns-ap-suspicious-devices,0,4547875.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines
The publicity campaign was conceived by the Adult Swim marketing department and approved by the head of the Cartoon Network, Turner spokeswoman Shirley Powell said Thursday. She said the devices had been up for two weeks around the country and the network had not received any calls about them.

And here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/sns-ap-suspicious-devices,1,3202518.story?coll=chi-news-hed


http://www.myfoxboston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=2233130&version=38&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
"They have been in place for two to three weeks in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Austin, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Parent company Turner Broadcasting is in contact with local and federal law enforcement on the exact locations of the billboards. We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger," added Powell.

[KoKo]

70. The "Publicity Department of Cartoon Channel?" & a couple of Seattle Links?

Where are ALL THESE OTHER CITIES that DU'ers keep talking about that were so much SMARTER and MORE SAVVY than Boston? :shrug:

TURNER (CNN CABLE) has more shills than DU has to get out their PROPAGANDA? :shrug:

[Beaverhausen]

77. My link mentioned the ads found in Philadelphia and New York

can't you read?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

79. Moving the goal posts, eh?

Seems disingenuous.

So, Koko. Which other cities besides Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle are you interested in?

[KoKo]

92. Yep...folks here on DU are saying many more cities...and I even saw

up to 15 cities had NO PROBLEM. That might have been one "outlier" post...but according to most DU'ers replying on the "Lite Brite" posts...it seems that ALL MAJOR CITIES including NY had citizens ignoring the "Fuck You Lite Brites" that were hanging out all over the place.

So far...all I see is posts about Seattle. :shrug: I'm still waiting...but have to leave off and go do other things tonight. I hope DU'ers will at least post another city besides Seattle to PROVE that Boston PD is a bunch of clueless dufusses and that their population is the same. :shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

93. You're still waiting?

Have you tried looking?

Because Honeybees got a link involving Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Austin, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.

[Beaverhausen]

96. Philly, New York, Chicago, Portland

go back and see the posts about Seattle.

[HoneyBee]

97. I linked you to an article on Portland.

[HoneyBee]

85. Here are a couple - Portland and Seattle

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-18/117035575464640.xml&storylist=orlocal
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/302011_devices01.html

[uppityperson]

102. Well, you got any besides Seattle, Portland, Philly and New YorK?

too funny.

[HoneyBee]

104. No. Fresh out.

:shrug:

[uppityperson]

107. This is a pretty funny day here. Amazing.

[RexDart]

145. From todays SF Chronicle

Also on sfgate.com

"One of the devices was found last week on a sign above a Clement Street art gallery and design store called Park Life. Store owner Jamie Alexander, 37, said the device was 12 inches wide and 15 inches tall, with a blinking, robotic figure displaying a middle finger. It had been attached with magnets.

Alexander said he did not suspect a terrorist plot.

"I thought, 'What the hell is this?' " he said. "I left it up. I thought it was cool."

Alexander said he had seen the Cartoon Network show but didn't make the connection.

On Sunday, after the device ran out of battery power and stopped blinking, he had a friend climb a ladder and take it down."

I guess our "strange" levels are different out here.

[Richard Steele]

44. Hey, don't go dragging FACTS and REASON into this.

:sarcasm:

[KoKo]

52. Right.....a Marketing Firm called "Interference" with two Bozo's

manages to shut down one of Americas top cities and the "Kewl Kids" here probably paid by "Cartoon Network/Turner" swarm all over and start to say...."hey dude...no big deal...you dumb fuck asses in Boston and your cops can't take a joke Marketing Campaign for "Aqua Surf."

GIVE ME A BREAK.. :puke:

[kiahzero]

56. Bullshit.

Prove that anyone here is paid by Turner Broadcasting or retract your lies.

:puke: yourself.

[KoKo]

73. Paid by TURNER/ Paid By "Astroturfers?" You are kidding me...

:rofl:

[HoneyBee]

59. The ad campaign didn't cause the widespread panic. The cops did.

Seattle, Portland, Chicago.... ALL "got it". Boston freaked out.

[KoKo]

78. Who do you want to PROTECT YOU? Turner/Media or Boston Police ?

Who is MORE accountable by LOCAL GOVT. to be THROWN OUT? Boston is not like New Orleans. It has a VIBRANT DEMOCRACY!

[HoneyBee]

87. Get. A. Grip.

[KoKo]

110. Welcome to DU....It's good to see Newbies, here.

:hi:

[HoneyBee]

116. You already welcomed me. I got the sarcasm the 1st time, too.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

128. LOL

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

90. Honestly?

Seems to me Turner's got a better track record.

[KoKo]

113. Turner is keeping you "Safe." .....That's Amazing....I never thought

I'd see a post here on DU like this...it's gotta be a first.

whatever floats your boat....:eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

124. I didn't say that.

I just said their doing a better job than the Boston PD.

[Richard Steele]

105. Yeah, that's the real issue here, right?

Get a goddamn grip. You went from "ranting" to "RAVING" a while ago.

[uppityperson]

122. I missed the New Orleans connection. What are you talking about?

[Name removed]

129. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[americanstranger]

63. Sheah, my damn check better get here soon.

Cripes. Get hold of yourself.

- as

[KoKo]

81. It got delayed....those Postal Problems...Dontcha know. n/t

[uppityperson]

103. Am I a Kewl Kid? I'd like to get paid if I am. WHERE'S MY MONEY? I'M KEWL!!!!111

[KoKo]

117. Just being "KEWL" is it's OWN REWARD!

but, then...you know that. :D

[Marie26]

37. It looks like the marketing company

TOLD the "artist" not to tell authorities the truth, even after the bomb scare broke. More breathless news coverage = more publicity for the agency.


Guerrilla ad agency told artist to keep mum during panic

By Maria Cramer, John R. Ellement, and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

Friends of the local artist accused of spearheading Wednesday's bomb scares said he was warned by an executive at a New York guerrilla marketing firm as early as 1:25 p.m. on Wednesday that their advertising campaign had incited panic in Boston.

An advertising executive at Interference Marketing Inc. instructed Peter Berdovsky to keep quiet while police scrambled across the metropolitan area responding to a series of bomb scares. Berdovsky sent an e-mail to friends at 1:25 p.m. telling them not to talk about the marketing scheme to promote the animated television show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" on the Cartoon Network.

"My boss from the Cartoon Network’s ad agency just called -- she is asking that we pretty please keep everything on the DL," or down low, wrote Berdovsky, according to a copy of the e-mail provided to the Globe.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/02/guerrilla_ad_ag_1.html

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

43. Hmm.

Sounds to me like the company was saying "don't say anything without our lawyers present."

Always good advice.

[Marie26]

54. Sounds like a cover-up

Sounds like someone who's more worried about a lawsuit than public safety. Boston spent millions of dollars, closed down a bridge, brought in the bomb squad, while city officials tried to figure out how to react. Thousands of normal people were totally inconvienced & unable to get to work, or home, or the store that day. And thousands of Bostonians spent the day worried that it was a terrorist attack. ALL of that could have been prevented if the marketing company, or the "artist" had simply let the city know what the sign was. Instead, they kept quiet, letting the panic spread. That's highly, highly irresponsible. Why would anyone want to defend that?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

58. LOL

No it doesn't.

[Marie26]

62. OK then.

As long as you say so. The email went out at 1:00 - city officials didn't hear the truth till at least 6. Why did they wait 6+ hours to tell officials what the sign was?

[kiahzero]

60. You're assuming facts that you haven't backed up.

I didn't start seeing pictures of the Mooninite in the media until after 4pm. How were they to know that's what this was all about? If you put a light with a battery and someone was talking about a "package consistent with an IED," would you think the two were related? Probably not. Most sane people wouldn't.

[Marie26]

66. Because

the ad executive sent out an email to the artist who installed the sign at 1:25 pm. Obviously, at that point they were at least worried that the "bomb" was their sign. And what did they do? Did they ask authorities for a picture? Did they ask the artist for more info to pinpoint if it was at the same location? Did they tell the artist to at least mention the possibility to the police? No - they told him to shut up. Because they knew it was their sign, and were in CYA mode. It's really puzzling to see so many people go to bat for a marketing company.

[kiahzero]

69. Because some people are reasonable.

We're not looking to hang a few scapegoats to cover for the incompetence of a police department and the bullshit reporting of cable news.

[Marie26]

72. Can't they all be at fault?

The hysterical media, the police over-reaction and the marketing company? Why is that unreasonable?

[HoneyBee]

71. It's not a matter of "going to bat for the marketing company" as much as common sense

and... being appalled at the widespread panic and total fear-mongering society that we're in.

[Marie26]

80. The marketing company

is exploiting that fear-mongering society, just like the media is & just like the police are. The public are used for each of their various agendas.

[HoneyBee]

95. I doubt the intent of this campaign was what happened in Boston.

Folks in Portland and Seattle and Philly all "got it".

The Boston PD freaked out. Yes, I agree... the media DOES exploit it, but the Boston officials were responsible for this total freak-out.

[KoKo]

83. You are saying that the "marketing company" was innocent bystander and not accountable?

You are kidding me....No? :shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

86. I am.

The marketing company didn't break any laws.

Accept maybe littering.

[HoneyBee]

91. Heh. Your turn to give ME a link. Where did I say that?

huh? :shrug:

[Hosnon]

51. Just because the marketing company told them not to say anything does

not mean they wanted to drag it out for publicity.

I'd have wanted to do the same thing: Shut everyone up and speak with one voice once you figure out how to respond/what to do.

[Marie26]

61. If you didn't care

about the widespread panic, the money, time & resources the city was expending, or the worry it was causing Boston residents - yeah, it would make sense. It would make sense if you only cared about your own self-interest, and not the interests of the people in that city.

[Hosnon]

76. Yes, it would make sense if you only cared about your own self-interest.

Not: It would only make sense if you only cared about your own self-interest.

Decisions are made by taking many interests into consideration. To begin with, the company has a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders and employees. There is nothing wrong with coordinating a response.

[Marie26]

84. But not to the public?

Fidiciary responsibility to shareholders? I'm sure Enron could also argue they had a fidiciary responsibility to their shareholders when they were hiding evidence of their shady activities from the authorities. What about corporations' responsibility to the public?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

89. They made a public announcement yesterday afternoon.

:shrug:

[Marie26]

98. And disabled their website

http://www.interferenceinc.com/


CYA mode to the limit. Yeah, and Bush responded eventually to 9/11 & Katrina, but people justifiably criticize him for being slow to respond to a public emergency. In this case, they waited over 6 hours to let people know the truth, while a public emergency was ongoing. Whether it was illegal or not, it was unethical. But no one seems to care if it was right or not - it was cool!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

99. Cover there own asses?

Well no shit they covered their own asses.

Am I supposed to believe that you wouldn't?

[Marie26]

109. Enron would

Halliburton would. Cheney would. People probably wouldn't angrily argue for Halliburton's right to shred incriminating documents. But here you are, arguing on behalf of a marketing company's right to cover up possibly incriminating actions. Why? Why are you invested in what this company does? Why do you care? Because you've totally bought into the marketing campaign, and begun to identify w/these "artists" & this company. "Guerrilla marketing" is all about getting under people's defenses, getting them to look favorably on a company when they don't expect to be seeing an ad. And that's what this publicity stunt does - by getting people to identify w/the rebel artists & the cool channel against the police baddies. Once they've got you thinking that way, they've got you invested in their product. Score - hook, line & sinker.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

111. And so would you and I...

or anybody else involved in a legal matter.

[Marie26]

118. OK then.

You're really not seeing my point, so I guess I'll end this here. Do you think maybe DU could make the Moonite into an avatar - it could really become a new icon for the counter-culture, anti-corporate, rebellious set.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

121. I don't think you've got a point.

Answer me this-

If a small, entrepreneurial, local company had put up those signs, would you feel any differently about it?

[Marie26]

135. It's propaganda

That's my point. And it annoys me that DU'ers who cry so loud about Bushco's propaganda techniques are the first to fall for this one. Interference, Inc. has disabled the web-site, but there's still a cache of the old site, where they proudly display an interesting quote:

"Face-to-face (interpersonal) communication is the most effective means of transmitting a persuasive message. It is employed in rallies, rumor campaigns, group discussions, lectures, show-and-tell demonstrations, social activities, entertainment, and individual person-to-person contact, all providing a participating experience for the individual or group to recall later.

- Propoganda Media, Based on "Psychological Operations Field Manual No. 33-1" published in August 1979 by Department of the Army

Interference Incorporated’s tactics work because they create relationships. It is high impact marketing that brings brand qualities and information directly to consumers, often in areas that they are not used to seeing advertising, therefore making a stronger imprint on the desired target. Interference Incorporated delivers the message that the brand knows what the consumer needs and when they need it."

Guerrilla Marketing is delivering a relevant message to a desired individual, at an appropriate location, in a time when they are most receptive to it by any means necessary."

Remember when that cool artist from Aqua Teen Force stood up to that fascist police/DHS? He's a rebel, that's a cool company. I really like that artist, he was funny & quirky and had dreadlocks. Maybe I'll buy a Moonite sign on Ebay to show how much I'm like that guy - maybe people will think I'm cool like them. Yeah, free speech! Go, Interference Inc.!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

137. You've got it backwards...

Propaganda is the fear-mongering. The constant paranoia and fear of bombs.

[Marie26]

140. NO

Can't you see that? The propaganda is getting you to identify w/this guy as some sort of counter-culture rebel against the police state. He's not. He's selling you something, just like his corporate employer is.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

141. Oh, I'm afraid so, Marie.

You've been suckered.

[Marie26]

143. *sigh*

I guess I give up. Bye y'all.

[progressivebydesign]

151. OMG.. how did this become a political discussion? n/t

[Hosnon]

123. There is a world of difference between this and Enron.

Enron's improprieties occurred over a span of years. This happened all in one day. Perhaps those at this company had a lapse in judgment but those at Enron intentionally stole from employees and stockholders.

[Marie26]

138. There's obviously

no comparison - it's not even clear if this was illegal. I'm just pointing out some of the effects from corporations that only look out for their stock prices. I do feel like there needs to be more accountability for corporations, more of an expectation that they will be good citizens as well, and that accountability needs to come from us.

[Hosnon]

146. I smell what you're cookin'.

Enron is the extreme on a continuum on which probably lies the actions of this marketing corporation.

By the way, thanks for the cordial conversation. It's ashame that I regard this as such a rare commodity on DU:)

And I wish corporations would one day be legally obligated to look out for more than just profits. However, in our capitalist society, that is a hard fight (but not impossible, thanks - ironically - to Enron). I've always dreamed of the day when stockholders wake-up and realize their power. Corporations are, by definition, extremely open to democracy and those that own the corporation can control a lot of what goes on.

Perhaps we can be friends? You can call me "D".

[Hosnon]

94. Legally, no. And that is going to dictate where the company's priorities are.

Enron resulted in stricter regulation laws but not a responsibility to the public, in general. The city can possibly sue.

[Marie26]

101. And isn't that

what people on DU complain about all the time? Corporate irresponsibility? Caring more about their stockholders than the innocent people their policies hurt? But here we're making an exception, for reasons I don't really understand. If it's irresponsible when Halliburton does something, it's irresponsible when an "edgy, cool" company does it too. Same difference.

[Hosnon]

119. Yep. My point is that their insistence on silence does not

necessitate inappropriate intent.

Personally, I think that the company saw what was happening, told everyone not to say anything and then formulated a timely response. I don't believe that they irresponsibly waited to say anything in order to generate publicity.

And I do wish corporations had more legal duties than just profits. But until that is a law, how can we expect a corporation to voluntary make that sacrifice? The market would most likely chew them up and spit them out.

In any event, this is not like Enron, in my opinion. Enron was intentional.

[Scout1071]

55. Weapons of Marketing Destruction?

[KoKo]

120. LOL's! You GOT IT!

:rofl:

[rug]

67. APB: Easy Bake Oven sighted in vicinity of Columbia Point.

[uppityperson]

88. Would you rather they said "no comment" repeatedly?

They said, their lawyer said, were advised not to comment. So they did not comment. Eloquantly. At length. About hair. No comment. I live near one of the other big cities who looked at these advertising placks and said "meh". I am not worried that they could look and tell that they were nothing.

[conscious evolution]

100. Tin foil hat time

Turner 'hired' the BPD to freak to boost an otherwise sinking ad campaign.
After all any publicity is good publicity!!


Damn.I've got to loosen up the tinfoil some!

[KoKo]

106. Turner hired for "sinking ad campaign" ...that makes sense in so many ways..

but they'd have to be so dumb and clueless not to understand the nervousness of American Public who don't watch "Cartoon Network" wouldn't they? And that's to much to ask the DU "Kewl Kids" to understand.

[uppityperson]

114. WTF is a DU "Kewl Kid"?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

126. Apparently...

it's anybody grounded in reality.

[KoKo]

130. I thought only the Bushies were "grounded in reality?"

Perhaps you are very sympathetic to their reality? :shrug:

Ron Susskind wrote a book about Bushies creating their own "Reality." Google it if you don't have it in your library already.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

132. You think the Bushes are grounded in reality?

That actually explains a lot.

[KoKo]

134. Gotcha...you didn't read the post and reference to Susskind's book

so...don't need to say more....:D

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

136. Isn't it a little ironic...

that you accuse others of not reading posts?

I mean, there was that whole subthread where you pretended not to see the links about other cities besides Boston, because it derailed your entire argument.

[KoKo]

142. awwwwww are you stalking me?

I'm going to take care of that...:-)'s

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

144. Uh...

you did reply to me, you know.

:shrug:

[uppityperson]

149. How dare you answer someone who answered you answering them answering you!

Having a conversation! Really!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

150. OMG! YOU'RE STALKING ME!1!!11!

I'M CALLING THE BOMB SQUAD!!

[uppityperson]

154. !!!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

156. ZOMG!!!1!!! Some one set us up the bomb.

[HoneyBee]

133. Yes, anyone who disagrees with you MUST me a "bushie", right?

Take a look in the mirror "bushies" are fear-mongers.

[uppityperson]

131. I prefer "respected Elder"

better than queen dog

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

115. Are you feeling out of touch, Koko?

Feeling old? Burnt out? Unhip?

[KoKo]

127. From one "Kewl Kid" to Another...............

O8)

[conscious evolution]

139. They are not dumb and clueless

TimeWarner is part of the reason Americans are nervous.If you haven't noticed,the MSM has been pushing fear for a while now.
They just decided to profit from it in another fashion.

Like I said.Damn tinfoil!

[MadHound]

108. No, the BPD simply showed what incompetent and gullible fools they were

Instead of pulling a major freak out, they could have quickly and quietly figured out that the Lite Brites were no threat. After all, Boston does have bomb detection robots:shrug: Instead, they push the panic button, close down a decent sized portion of the city, and waste $750,000 dollars. And the real kicker is that the expect TBN to pay that money back. Sorry, but this stupidity lies squarely on the doorstep of the BPD.

However this goes further than the BPD. It goes to show you how a significant portion of the population has ingested the Bush administration's message of fear, fear, fear, to the point where they're going to jump at their own shadow.

Meanwhile, somebody out there is taking a look at this and thinking to themselves that hey, I can shut down a good part of a city, throw the populace into a panic, and get the fools to spend the big bucks. All without having to deal with bomb making material, just a few wires and some miscelleaneous eletronics. Sad, what a pathetic lot this country has become. Worse yet, how long before this kind of action is indeed actually considered a terrorist act. Before you know it, yelling BOO in a crowded theatre will get you sent to Gitmo.

[uppityperson]

112. Those are the thoughts I've been having also, from BPD to the end bit.

[goodhue]

125. the scoundrels . . .

they must be punished!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

152. Sounds like a case of Dumb vs Dumberer

[HoneyBee]

155. K&R

[pinto]

157. Locking.

Whoa. This has gotten off track.
We're going to lock.

Thanks for your consideration.