Boston Officials Livid Over Ad Stunt - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-01-2007, 10:28 AM

Boston officials, livid about a publicity campaign that had disrupted the city by stirring fears of terrorism, vowed to prosecute those responsible and seek restitution.

Officials found a slew of blinking electronic signs adorning bridges and other high-profile spots across the city Wednesday, prompting the closing of a highway and the deployment of bomb squads.

The 38 signs were part of a promotion for Cartoon Network TV show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," a surreal series about a talking milkshake, a box of fries and a meatball. The network is a parent of Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.

"It is outrageous, in a post 9/11 world, that a company would use this type of marketing scheme," Mayor Thomas Menino said. "I am prepared to take any and all legal action against Turner Broadcasting and its affiliates for any and all expenses incurred during the response to today's incidents."

The 1-foot tall signs resembled a circuit board, with protruding wires and batteries. Most depicted a boxy, cartoon character giving passersby the finger a more obvious sight when darkness fell.

Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner Inc., apologized, but Boston authorities are still angry.

They arrested two men who put up the electronic promotions and vowed to hold Turner accountable for what Menino said was "corporate greed," that led to at least $500,000 in police costs.

Turner 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. As soon as the company realized the Boston problem, it said, law enforcement officials were told of their locations in all 10 cities.

"We apologize to the citizens of Boston that part of a marketing campaign was mistaken for a public danger," said Phil Kent, Turner chairman.

Kent said the marketing company that placed the signs, Interference Inc., was ordered to remove them immediately. Messages seeking additional comment from the Atlanta-based Cartoon Network were left with several publicists.

Highways, bridges and a section of the Charles River were shut down Wednesday and bomb squads were sent in. Turner notified them that the devices were part of a promotion at around 5 p.m., Boston officials said.

"Everyone can play a part by holding Turner Broadcasting to account for today's events," Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said. "Viewers, advertisers, license holders, can and should make clear to them this sort of behavior is reckless, irresponsible and illegal."

"Commerce was disrupted, transportation routes were paralyzed, residents were stranded and relatives across the nation were in fear for their loved ones in the city of Boston," Conley said.

Peter Berdovsky, 27, of Arlington, and Sean Stevens, 28, of Charlestown, were each charged Wednesday night with one count of placing a hoax device and one count of disorderly conduct. State Attorney General Martha Coakley said they were hired to place the devices. Both men were to be arraigned Thursday morning.

Those conducting the campaign should have known the devices could cause panic because they were placed in sensitive areas, Coakley said. Authorities are investigating whether Turner and any other companies should be criminally charged, she said.

"We're not going to let this go without looking at the further roots of how this happened to cause the panic in this city," Coakley said.

In Seattle and several suburbs, the removal of the signs was low-key. "We haven't had any calls to 911 regarding this," Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb said Wednesday. Police in Philadelphia said they believe their city had 56 devices.

In New York City, local news broadcasts showed images of the devices being collected, and the New York Post reported that police confiscated 41 in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Interference had no immediate comment. A woman who answered the phone at the New York-based firm's offices Wednesday afternoon said the firm's CEO was out of town and would not be able to comment until Thursday.

Berdovsky, an artist, told The Boston Globe he was hired by Interference and said he was "a little kind of freaked out," by the furor.

"I find it kind of ridiculous that they're making these statements on TV that we must not be safe from terrorism, because they were up there for three weeks and no one noticed. It's pretty commonsensical to look at them and say this is a piece of art and installation," he told The Globe.

Berdovsky's attorney described the incident as a "misunderstanding."

"It's very disturbing that what was just an employment for a struggling artist turned into some major misunderstanding," Michael Rich told WHDH-TV.

A telephone voicemail box for Berdovsky was full Wednesday night. It could not immediately be determined if Stevens had legal counsel.

The first device to raise alarm in Boston was found by a transit worker at a subway and bus station underneath Interstate 93 on Wednesday morning, leading to the temporary shutdown of the station and the highway.

Later, police said four calls, all around 1 p.m., reported devices at the Boston University Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge, at a Boston street corner and at the Tufts-New England Medical Center.

Two devices, at the Longfellow Bridge and the medical center, however, turned out to be unrelated to the marketing campaign, Police Commissioner Edward Davis said.

The rash of calls around the same time is being investigated, Davis said. When asked if the calls were coordinated as part of the marketing campaign, he said: "There's no indication it came from panicked residents."

"Aqua Teen Hunger Force" is a cartoon with a cultish following that airs as part of a block of programs for adults on the Cartoon Network. A feature length film based on the show is slated for release March 23.

James · 02-01-2007, 01:50 PM

If The Cartoon Network had stuck to exclusively airing cartoons that have stood the test of time like "Tom and Jerry" and "Woody Woodpecker", this would not have happened. (Think of The Cartoon Network being like Nick at Nite or TVLand--without the Originals, mind you!)

Lex Luthor · 02-01-2007, 01:55 PM

What an incredibly stupid stunt! At minimum they should have told local officials so they would be prepared for any alarming calls. However I doubt it would have even been approved if proper channels were followed.

James · 02-01-2007, 02:07 PM

I'm surprised that officials in the other cities mentioned did not discover this earlier, especially in this day and age.

JuicyCoutureGirl · 02-01-2007, 04:13 PM

People are so damn stupid today.

80sTrivia · 02-01-2007, 04:54 PM

I heard about this on the radio this morning... these guys must not be too bright to think that this stunt was going to go over well...

Courtnee · 02-01-2007, 05:00 PM

There was this thing on Adult Swim about it last night. They apologized.

Chelsea · 02-02-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock Princess

There was this thing on Adult Swim about it last night. They apologized.

That's how big this brouhaha is - they apologized, on air, multiple times, seriously. The Williams Street crew are normally not very apologetic about things.

Janice · 02-02-2007, 01:24 AM

I wonder if anyone will lose their jobs, lol. Stupid, moronic stunt.

Yooch · 02-02-2007, 10:27 PM

As well they should be. Some heads should roll over this profound stupidity. Well, I'm not at all surprised; we're in the age of the 'jackass'-type mentality. And saying 'sorry' will just make it go away. I'm not even from Boston and I was livid.

Stopping commerce, utilizing emergency resources, impeding traffic, making people worry, etc. etc.; this is inexcusable.

When we have so much as a student pull a false fire alarm at our school as a prank, and the fire department and police have to come out, and kids miss class and people panic--it causes a lot of problems for everyone. In my town, just for something like this, the perpetrators pay heavily, and I mean heavily. And this is at a local level. Imagine at a city level--and, with people upset over possible terrorrism, the problem is compounded.

If I were the Boston officials or citizens, I'd be so d***** p*****, I wouldn't be able to see straight.

Central Perk · 02-02-2007, 11:07 PM

I think the police are overreacting. I mean Cartoon Network could have alerted the police to be safe, but come on. These things look like light brites not bombs.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 02-02-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Central Perk

I think the police are overreacting. I mean Cartoon Network could have alerted the police to be safe, but come on. These things look like light brites not bombs.

That's what I was thinking. How the hell do you mistake a light brite for a bomb so much that the situation got to the point that it did?

Brian Damage · 02-02-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

That's what I was thinking. How the hell do you mistake a light brite for a bomb so much that the situation got to the point that it did?

In this day and age, can you really tell what is a bomb and what is not?

Janice · 02-02-2007, 11:27 PM

Yooch · 02-02-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

In this day and age, can you really tell what is a bomb and what is not?

Exactly.

02-01-2007, 10:28 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Boston Officials Livid Over Ad Stunt Boston officials, livid about a publicity campaign that had disrupted the city by stirring fears of terrorism, vowed to prosecute those responsible and seek restitution. Officials found a slew of blinking electronic signs adorning bridges and other high-profile spots across the city Wednesday, prompting the closing of a highway and the deployment of bomb squads. The 38 signs were part of a promotion for Cartoon Network TV show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," a surreal series about a talking milkshake, a box of fries and a meatball. The network is a parent of Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc. "It is outrageous, in a post 9/11 world, that a company would use this type of marketing scheme," Mayor Thomas Menino said. "I am prepared to take any and all legal action against Turner Broadcasting and its affiliates for any and all expenses incurred during the response to today's incidents." The 1-foot tall signs resembled a circuit board, with protruding wires and batteries. Most depicted a boxy, cartoon character giving passersby the finger a more obvious sight when darkness fell. Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner Inc., apologized, but Boston authorities are still angry. They arrested two men who put up the electronic promotions and vowed to hold Turner accountable for what Menino said was "corporate greed," that led to at least $500,000 in police costs. Turner 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. As soon as the company realized the Boston problem, it said, law enforcement officials were told of their locations in all 10 cities. "We apologize to the citizens of Boston that part of a marketing campaign was mistaken for a public danger," said Phil Kent, Turner chairman. Kent said the marketing company that placed the signs, Interference Inc., was ordered to remove them immediately. Messages seeking additional comment from the Atlanta-based Cartoon Network were left with several publicists. Highways, bridges and a section of the Charles River were shut down Wednesday and bomb squads were sent in. Turner notified them that the devices were part of a promotion at around 5 p.m., Boston officials said. "Everyone can play a part by holding Turner Broadcasting to account for today's events," Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said. "Viewers, advertisers, license holders, can and should make clear to them this sort of behavior is reckless, irresponsible and illegal." "Commerce was disrupted, transportation routes were paralyzed, residents were stranded and relatives across the nation were in fear for their loved ones in the city of Boston," Conley said. Peter Berdovsky, 27, of Arlington, and Sean Stevens, 28, of Charlestown, were each charged Wednesday night with one count of placing a hoax device and one count of disorderly conduct. State Attorney General Martha Coakley said they were hired to place the devices. Both men were to be arraigned Thursday morning. Those conducting the campaign should have known the devices could cause panic because they were placed in sensitive areas, Coakley said. Authorities are investigating whether Turner and any other companies should be criminally charged, she said. "We're not going to let this go without looking at the further roots of how this happened to cause the panic in this city," Coakley said. In Seattle and several suburbs, the removal of the signs was low-key. "We haven't had any calls to 911 regarding this," Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb said Wednesday. Police in Philadelphia said they believe their city had 56 devices. In New York City, local news broadcasts showed images of the devices being collected, and the New York Post reported that police confiscated 41 in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Interference had no immediate comment. A woman who answered the phone at the New York-based firm's offices Wednesday afternoon said the firm's CEO was out of town and would not be able to comment until Thursday. Berdovsky, an artist, told The Boston Globe he was hired by Interference and said he was "a little kind of freaked out," by the furor. "I find it kind of ridiculous that they're making these statements on TV that we must not be safe from terrorism, because they were up there for three weeks and no one noticed. It's pretty commonsensical to look at them and say this is a piece of art and installation," he told The Globe. Berdovsky's attorney described the incident as a "misunderstanding." "It's very disturbing that what was just an employment for a struggling artist turned into some major misunderstanding," Michael Rich told WHDH-TV. A telephone voicemail box for Berdovsky was full Wednesday night. It could not immediately be determined if Stevens had legal counsel. The first device to raise alarm in Boston was found by a transit worker at a subway and bus station underneath Interstate 93 on Wednesday morning, leading to the temporary shutdown of the station and the highway. Later, police said four calls, all around 1 p.m., reported devices at the Boston University Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge, at a Boston street corner and at the Tufts-New England Medical Center. Two devices, at the Longfellow Bridge and the medical center, however, turned out to be unrelated to the marketing campaign, Police Commissioner Edward Davis said. The rash of calls around the same time is being investigated, Davis said. When asked if the calls were coordinated as part of the marketing campaign, he said: "There's no indication it came from panicked residents." "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" is a cartoon with a cultish following that airs as part of a block of programs for adults on the Cartoon Network. A feature length film based on the show is slated for release March 23.
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02-01-2007, 01:55 PM	#3
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	What an incredibly stupid stunt! At minimum they should have told local officials so they would be prepared for any alarming calls. However I doubt it would have even been approved if proper channels were followed.
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02-01-2007, 04:13 PM	#5
JuicyCoutureGirl L Hath No Fury Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 09, 2006 Location: Drinking Margaritas With The L Word Ladies at The Planet Posts: 782	People are so damn stupid today.
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02-01-2007, 04:54 PM	#6
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I heard about this on the radio this morning... these guys must not be too bright to think that this stunt was going to go over well...
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02-01-2007, 05:00 PM	#7
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	There was this thing on Adult Swim about it last night. They apologized.
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02-01-2007, 01:50 PM	#2
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	If The Cartoon Network had stuck to exclusively airing cartoons that have stood the test of time like "Tom and Jerry" and "Woody Woodpecker", this would not have happened. (Think of The Cartoon Network being like Nick at Nite or TVLand--without the Originals, mind you!)

02-01-2007, 02:07 PM	#4
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	I'm surprised that officials in the other cities mentioned did not discover this earlier, especially in this day and age.

02-02-2007, 01:24 AM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I wonder if anyone will lose their jobs, lol. Stupid, moronic stunt.

02-02-2007, 10:27 PM	#10
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	As well they should be. Some heads should roll over this profound stupidity. Well, I'm not at all surprised; we're in the age of the 'jackass'-type mentality. And saying 'sorry' will just make it go away. I'm not even from Boston and I was livid. Stopping commerce, utilizing emergency resources, impeding traffic, making people worry, etc. etc.; this is inexcusable. When we have so much as a student pull a false fire alarm at our school as a prank, and the fire department and police have to come out, and kids miss class and people panic--it causes a lot of problems for everyone. In my town, just for something like this, the perpetrators pay heavily, and I mean heavily. And this is at a local level. Imagine at a city level--and, with people upset over possible terrorrism, the problem is compounded. If I were the Boston officials or citizens, I'd be so d*** p***, I wouldn't be able to see straight.
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

02-02-2007, 11:07 PM	#11
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	I think the police are overreacting. I mean Cartoon Network could have alerted the police to be safe, but come on. These things look like light brites not bombs.

02-02-2007, 11:27 PM	#14
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388