Turner Broadcasting CEO Apologizes: My Bad

Today the CEO of Turner Broadcasting released a public apology for the advertising stunt that had Boston residents on pins and needles earlier this week. Sean Stevens and Peter Berdowsky were hired by Turner Broadcasting to display approximately 38 electrical signs throughout the city in places such as outside hospitals, on bridges, and on subway stations. What did the sign look like? It was a square cartoon character displaying a profane message with one of its hands. Think Sponge Bob from the bizarro world, minus the yellowness, annoying voice, and lack of kid-friendliness then add a pinch of Lite-Brite and vulgarity and you have the controversial ad that had Bostonians scared to their very foundation. The profane cartoon was an ad for the Cartoon Network show on Adult Swim named "Aqua Teen Hunger Force", which is targeted at men ages 18 to 24.

Here's the kicker, the signs were placed in nine other cities nation-wide, but only the people of Boston freaked out when seeing them and called the bomb squad. So did the residents of Bean Town overreact in this situation? Most Bostonians believe their reaction to the blinking squares was right on target, especially since some of the 9/11 hijackers flew out of Boston. However, one Boston Resident, Tracy O'Connor, thought the response of the Boston police and bomb squad was "silly and insane." Overall, the electrical ads sent a shockwave of panic throughout the city as the police and bomb squad were called in to get rid of the "suspicious" packages. Mayor Thomas Merino stated that the city wasted more than $500,000 on Turner's debauched advertising stunt. Needless to say, Boston officials are holding Turner Broadcasting responsible for the entire ordeal.

In his press release, Phil Kent, CEO of Turner Broadcasting stated "We never intended this outcome and certainly did not set out to perpetrate a hoax. What we did is inadvertently cause a great American city to deal with the unintended impact of this marketing campaign. For this, we are deeply sorry." According to Shirley Powell, a spokeswoman for Turner Broadcasting, they are working with the city officials in Boston in order to amend the problems the advertising stunt has caused the city.

What will the 2 men hired by Turner Broadcasting get for following through with the hanging of the signs? Both pleaded not guilty to "placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct". They were both released afterwards on a $2500 bond, but if found guilty could get up to five years in jail, all for doing the job they were paid to perform, just as the other people in the 9 other cities across the US (including New York).

*Sources*
-Fox News Online. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,249780,00.html. Associated Press Article. (2007 Feb 02)