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View Full Version : TV marketing ploy in Boston backfires


Richard Tafoya
Jan 31st, 2007, 04:51 PM
From the "What were they thinking?" department:

AP:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-013107devices,0,2870048.story?coll=la-home-headlines

At least nine electronic devices planted at bridges and other spots in Boston threw a scare into the city Wednesday in what a cable network said was a marketing campaign for a late-night cartoon.

Highways, bridges and a section of the Charles River were shut down and bomb squads were sent in before authorities declared the devices were harmless.

"It's a hoax -- and it's not funny," said Gov. Deval Patrick.

Turner Broadcasting, parent company of Cartoon Network, said the devices, which consisted of magnetic, blinking lights, were part of a promotion for the TV show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."

"The packages in question are magnetic lights that pose no danger," Turner said in a statement. It said the devices have been in place for two to three weeks in 10 cities: Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Austin, Texas, San Francisco and Philadelphia.

"We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger," the company said.

...

The exact nature of the objects was not disclosed. But authorities said some looked like circuit boards or had wires hanging from them.

db44
Jan 31st, 2007, 05:03 PM
BS they regret it. And it isn't funny, I agree, but I also have a hard time from chuckling. Turner though should be heavily sanctioned.

On a side note, I love the Aqua Teens.

XxGeNiEiNabOtTlExX
Jan 31st, 2007, 05:32 PM
I love meatwad!

PS: Sorry Dave, I wasn't at my computer when you IMed me...but I'm still curious...

db44
Jan 31st, 2007, 06:26 PM
A double post of sorts?